TDOE Launches Back-to-School Social Media Campaign, #TNLovesLearning
Campaign to Rally State Around Student
Achievement in Celebration of New School Year
Nashville, TN – Today, the Tennessee Department of Education launched the #TNLovesLearning back-to-school social media campaign to celebrate the new school year and highlight the hard work of districts, schools and communities in focusing on supporting kids and accelerating achievement for all students.
As Tennessee has wrapped up the first summer of statewide learning camps to support student achievement and begins an exciting new school year, the department wants to help showcase how dedicated our state is to our students and their success.
“As a mom, educator, and lifelong learner, back-to-school is one of my favorite times of the year. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have been inspired by all the hard work we have seen our districts, schools, educators, families and communities undertake specifically to help our kids learn and achieve,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “As we enter a new school year, I share in the excitement of so many Tennesseans across the state for the amazing learning that will take place this year and encourage us all to maintain our commitment to putting students at the center of all we do!”
To share a quote, photo or video of why you love learning and are excited for the new school year, please post and use the hashtag, #TNLovesLearning.
Tennessee has taken a proactive approach in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the work of ensuring our students have the resources and support they need to be successful in the classroom will continue this school year.
During the Tennessee General Assembly's extraordinary legislative session in January, legislators passed the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act which set forward a path for all districts’ current and future summer programming opportunities to benefit students. In addition, districts and schools continue to plan how to spend their portions of historic federal COVID-19 relief and recovery funding flowing-- about $4.2 million for K-12 education in Tennessee-- to accelerate student achievement. This summer, across all three grand divisions of Tennessee, Commissioner Penny Schwinn, department staff, state and local elected officials, and community partners joined the Accelerating TN 2021 summer bus tour to learn more about how schools are leveraging a historic moment in time and unprecedented amounts of federal funding to accelerate student achievement.
Building upon this great work, district and school leaders, educators, community partners and stakeholders, and elected officials shared how much #TNLovesLearning and why they are excited for the upcoming school year.
“Education is the most valuable tool you will have in life and if you couple it with motivation and determination, you will succeed,” said Rep. Tandy Darby. “With education, you will find the building blocks used to climb your way to the top where you will see endless opportunities."
“Why are teachers important? In Fayette County, our answer is based on these words from Rita Pierson: ‘Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be,’” said Dr. Versie R. Hamlett, Director of Schools, Fayette County Public Schools. “As we prepare for the new school year, I wake up every morning thinking about how we can provide teachers with the necessary skills, tools, and resources to be a true champion for every student, every day. This is the heart and soul of education.”
"I’m super excited about returning to school to meet my new students and visit with my past students,” said Brianne Matheney, English II & Honors English II Teacher, Chester County High School in Chester County Schools. “I am looking forward to an incredible year of learning and another opportunity to inspire students to reach their full potential so that they can become productive members of society."
“The One Hundred Black Men of West Tennessee, Inc.'s FAMILY mentoring and 21st Century Scholars programs love learning,” said Dr. Jerry Woods, President, 100 Black Men of West Tennessee, Inc. “We are ready and poised to challenge our student mentees to make 2021-2022 the best year ever! 1-2-3 Let's Learn!”
“After a year of uncertainty and disruptions, Dyersburg City Schools worked hard to ensure our summer programming provided essential supports to our students and helped prepare them for this new school year,” said Kim Worley, Director of Schools, Dyersburg City Schools. “We are excited by the hope a new school year brings and are thankful to have our students and educators in person and ready to learn this new school year.”
"I am so excited to see all my scholars this new school year and want to thank them in advance for allowing me the opportunity be their educator,” said Laura Boyd, Spanish Teacher, Poplar Grove Middle School in Franklin Special School District. “This year I will work relentless to make sure learning is both enjoyable and engaging for all."
“In Loudon County Schools, we are ready to show how much we love learning and all we will accomplish this new school year,” said Mike Garren, Director of Schools, Loudon County Schools. “Our educators, staff, and students worked extremely hard this summer and are prepared to be back in the classroom and keep up the hard work this new school year.”
For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact Edu.MediaInquiries@tn.gov.
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