Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

Assistant Commissioner

Dr. Danielle Mezera
(615) 253-2114

Administrative Assistant to Assistant Commissioner

Martha Hicks
(615) 532-2807

Chief of Staff
Divisional Operations

Melissa Canney
(615) 532-2828

Program Manager: Pathways Tennessee & Industry Partnerships

Nicholas Hansen
(615) 532-2813

• Pathways Tennessee
• District engagement with industry

Executive Director of Postsecondary Coordination & Alignment

Program Manager: Postsecondary Coordination & Alignment

Dr. Cathy Day
(615) 523-2841

Patrice Watson
(615) 532-2811

• Dual credit, dual enrollment, articulation agreements

Executive Director

Casey Haugner Wrenn
(615) 532-4879

• Curriculum
• Programs of Study
• Supplemental CTE programs
• CTE Specialists
• Special Programs of Study

Deputy Director

Dina Starks
(615) 741-8836

Project Manager: Curriculum Development

Thomas Gibney
(615) 253-3223

• Contracted for Phase II curriculum review and development

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Steven Gass
(615) 532-2847

• Courses in this cluster

Business Management & Administration;
Finance;
Marketing

Joy Smith
(615) 532-6248

• Courses in these clusters

Architecture & Construction; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics;
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications

Automotive AYES Consultant

Sue Tucker
(615) 532-2835

Joe Cruz
(615) 741-5119

Courses in these clusters

Industry certification for teachers in automotive programs of study

Education & Training;
Hospitality & Tourism;
Human Services

Deborah Thompson
(615) 532-2840

• Courses in these clusters

STEM Across Career Clusters; Information Technology; Manufacturing

Bethany Wilkes
(615) 532-2844

• Courses in these clusters

Health Science
Law, Public Safety & Security; Government & Public Administration

Sheila Carlton
(615) 532-2839

• Courses in these clusters

Contextual Academics;
Governor's Schools;
High Schools That Work

Lynne Cohen
(615) 532-2837

CTE Specialists (CTES):

FFA

Allie Ellis
(615) 253-5207

• FFA events
• How to start and integrate a program

DECA/FBLA

Sarah G. Williams
(615) 532-2829

• DECA events
• FBLA events
• How to start and integrate a program

SkillsUSA/FCCLA

Brandon Hudson
(615) 532-2804

• Skills USA events
• FCCLA events
• How to start and integrate a program

TSA/HOSA

Amanda Hodges
(615) 532-6270

• TSA events
• HOSA events
• How to start and integrate a program

Director

Susan Cowden
(615) 532-2846

• Perkins
• Compliance and state policies
• Data reporting deadlines
• Industry Engagement
• eTIGER
• Grants management

Grants & Contracts Manager

Michelene McKinney
(615) 532-1618

Budget, Invoices

Sandra Brown
(615) 532-2825

• Perkins

Student Organization Budget & Accounting

Mechelle Webster
(615) 532-2832

Data Assessment

Dr. Li-Zung Lin
(615) 532-1256

• eTIGER

Data Programmer

Vacant

Director

Heather Justice
(615) 532-2830

• Communications
• Licensure
• Professional Development
• New Teacher Training
• CTE Director Meetings
• TEAM

CTE Licensure Consultant & Talent Improvement Generalist

Penney Ashe
(615) 532-2834

• All CTE licensure
• Required industry certification for teacher licensure

Directors

Susan Cowden
(615) 532-2846

• Compliance

Heather Justice
(615) 532-2830

• Technical assistance

Northwest CORE

Keith Darnell
(731) 881-7570

• CTE Director responsibilities
• Risk Based Monitoring
• Technical assistance

Southwest CORE

Pat Todd
(731) 968-0746

• CTE Director responsibilities
• Risk Based Monitoring
• Technical assistance

Mid Cumberland CORE

Kathy Leeman
(615) 532-3263

• CTE Director responsibilities
• Risk Based Monitoring
• Technical assistance

Upper Cumberland CORE

Carol Pardue
(931) 526-1870

• CTE Director responsibilities
• Risk Based Monitoring
• Technical assistance

East CORE

Karen Lane
(865) 594-6044

First Tennessee CORE

Vacant
(423) 434-6490

• CTE Director responsibilities
• Risk Based Monitoring
• Technical assistance

Southeast CORE

Ryan Goodman
(615) 532-2830

• CTE Director responsibilities
• Risk Based Monitoring
• Technical assistance

South Central CORE

Vacant
(615) 532-2830

Executive Support

Martha Hicks
(615) 532-2807

Administrative Support

Joyce Dykes
(615) 253-5034

• New CTE director information
• Senior staff scheduling

Administrative Support

Grace Palmer
(615) 532-3808

• FFA
• FBLA
• TSA

Administrative Support

Tina McNeal
(615) 532-6219

• eTIGER user name and password
• Special course request process
• HOSA
• SkillsUSA
• FCCLA
• DECA

Printing, Mail

Jamie Gross
(615) 532-2848

Warehouse & Special Events

Don Moore
(615) 741-3392