Greeneville native, Tusculum alumnus Nick Darnell named to Governor’s Teacher Cabinet

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced Wednesday 18 Tennessee teachers selected to serve on the first Governor’s Teacher Cabinet.

Among those named was Nick Darnell, a native of Greeneville who graduated from Tusculum with his bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2006. Darnell is a Niswonger Scholar and while at Tusculum was inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and helped found the college’s chapter of College Republicans.

Now serving his ninth year as an educator, Darnell teaches eighth grade American history at East Ridge Middle School in Hamblen County. He is the head sponsor of the school’s Junior Beta Club, chairman of the school improvement committee, a member of the data team and a lead mentor. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership and his specialist degree in school system leadership, as well as an administrative endorsement, from East Tennessee State University.

Darnell and his wife Emily reside in Morristown.

The cabinet will meet quarterly with Haslam and Education Commissioner Candice McQueen to share real-time information from the classroom, advise on policy considerations and provide a direct line of communication to schools and communities.

Nick Darnell

A year ago the governor traveled the state to hear from groups of teachers, and in December, he announced plans to create the cabinet in an effort to improve teacher communication and collaboration.

“We’ve had a number of conversations with teachers in a variety of settings, and this is another way to receive direct feedback from teachers who are in front of a class every day,” Haslam said. “As Tennessee continues to build on the success we’ve seen in our schools over the past four years, we want to hear from teachers about what is working and what needs improvement. These teachers have a lot on their plates, so I really appreciate their willingness to serve the state in this way.”

Directors of schools were asked to nominate one teacher from each of their districts, and 18 classroom teachers were selected from across the state based on the following criteria: focuses on student achievement, encourages collaboration among colleagues, demonstrates leadership, solutions-oriented and relentlessly pursues excellence.

The teacher cabinet includes a diverse mix of backgrounds and experience. Members represent each of the state’s three grand divisions as well as cities, suburbs and rural areas and have varying years of experience teaching first through twelfth grades.

Members of the first Governor’s Teacher Cabinet are: Elisabeth McArthur Bellah, Maryville City Schools; Melissa Bennett, Blount County Schools; Marsha Buck, Kingsport City Schools; Nick Darnell, Hamblen County Schools; Rebecca Few, Murfreesboro City Schools; Cathy Ginel, Oak Ridge City Schools; Anita Underwood Gray, Lebanon Special School District; Annette C. Johnson, Franklin County Schools; Abbey Kidwell, Clinton City School District; Wanda N. Lacy, Knox County Schools; Jessica Lindsay, Achievement School District; Schwann Logan, Bartlett Municipal School District; Lance Morgan, Union City Schools; Jessica Murray, Dyer County Schools; Kyle Prince, Rutherford County Schools; Angie Tisdale, Franklin Special School District; Karen Vogelsang, Shelby County Schools, and Catherine Whitehead, Chester County School System.

Teachers will serve two-year terms on the cabinet. The first meeting is planned for July.