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TAA Foundation Donation Sensation

Honor your all-time favorite teacher by making a donation in their name to the TAA Foundation. It is a win-win situation!  Your favorite teacher wins recognition and is eligible for prizes, and at the same time, you are helping replenish the TAA scholarship fund!

2024 Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation
Favorite Teacher Leaderboard
Most Dollars Raised
Hueston Marshall
Mt. Pleasant High School, Columbia TN
618
Robyn Greene
Lakeland Preparatory School, Lakeland TN
577
Lucile Cady Edwards, retired
Cohn High School
500
Solie Fott, retired
Austin Peay State University
250
Frank Bluestein
Germantown High School, Germantown, TN
234
Donetta Murray, retired
Mount Pleasant High School, Mt. Pleasant TN
206
Lauren Baker
Clovercroft Elementary School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
186
Mary Moore
Harden Valley Academy, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
150
Joe Giles, retired
TAA Founder and Former Director of the Arts Education Program of TDOE
130
Candace Adams
Freedom Intermediate School, Franklin TN; Franklin Special Schools District
129
Alma Herbeck
Alma Herbeck, Centerville Elementary School, Centerville, TN
125
Christine Harness, retired
Tennessee Gresham Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
103
Darla Linroade-Henson
Visual Art Teacher, Memphis TN
100
Jerome Souther
Woodmore Elementary School, Chattanooga TN; Hamilton County Schools
88
Kami Lunsford
Karns Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
72
Jennifer Keith
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
62
Lafayette Ragsdale (deceased)
Central High School, Memphis TN
60
David Hale (deceased)
Band Director at Franklin High School and Centennial High School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
52
Ashley Zacher
Christian Academy of Knoxville TN
52
Marvelene Moore
University of Tennessee Knoxville
36
Virginia Nix
Kenrose Elementary School, Brentwood, TN; Williamson County Schools
36
Sara Savell (deceased)
Choral Music Teacher
34
TAA Facilitators
Tennessee Arts Academy
31
Annie Lee Williams (deceased)
Dickson High School, Dickson TN; Dickson County Schools
30
Madeline Bridges, retired
Belmont University School of Music and Former TAA Project Director
30
Blanche Deaderick
30
Ruth Dunning
30
Marvin Bensman
30
Gene Crain
30
Rebekah Cohen
30
Blanche Tosh
Memphis TN Theatre Teacher and Actor
30
James O. Golden (deceased)
Band Director at Overton High School, Nashville, TN; Metro Nashville Public Schools; and Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN; Franklin Special Schools District
26
Susan Ramsay
Franklin Elementary and Belmont University
26
Kim Shamblin, retired
Millington Elementary School, Millington TN; Millington Municipal Schools
26
David Reynolds
Moore Elementary School
26
Melody Hart
Tennessee Arts Academy, Office Manager
26
Ken Snyder
Lamar Elementary School, Jonesborough TN; Washington County Schools
26
Janet Laws
Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, TN
26
Frances Jordan Beard
26
Amaia R Johnson
FPA Whitehaven Elementary at Milbranch Campus, Memphis, TN
21
Flowerree McDonough, retired
Bearden High School, Knoxville TN; Knox County Schools
21
TAA Directors
Tennessee Arts Academy
21
Mark Shorter
Elwood Haynes Middle School, Kokomo IN
10
Becky Brandt
Boyd-Buchanan School; Chattanooga, TN
10
Sherry Hensley (retired)
Greene County Schools, Chuckey, TN
10
Kathy Coffey
Karns Middle School, Knoxville TN; Knox County Schools
10
Anne Marie Walley
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Franklin Willis
Metro Nashville Public Schools, Director of Visual and Performing Arts
10
Teresa West
Walnut Grove Elementary School; Williamson County Schools
10
Anne Schwartzenberg
Clarksville, TN
10
Katie Traxler
Metro Nashville Public Schools
10
Eli Adams
Moore Elementary, Franklin, TN; Franklin Special Schools District
10
Jami Ventline
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Gabby Key
Grassland Middle School, Franklin TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Summer Talbert
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Stephanie Winters
Heritage Middle School, Spring Hill, TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Corinne Dowd
Spring Hill Middle School, Spring Hill, TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Terri King, retired
Karns Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
10
Fay Adams
University of Tennessee Knoxville
10
Melinda Sims
Bearden High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
10
Randy Wilson
Atwood, TN
10
Cory Bridges
Atwood High School
10
Anne Henderson
Frist Art Museum, Director of Education and Engagement; Nashville, TN
10
Amanda Galbraith
University of Tennessee Knoxville
10
Donna Anderson, retired
Knox County Schools
10
Jim Dodson
Jefferson Middle School, Oak Ridge, TN; Oak Ridge Schools
10
Judy Jorden
10
Kathy Dumlao
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Director of Education and Interpretation; Memphis TN
10
Libby Lynch
Humboldt Junior and Senior High School, Humboldt TN; Humboldt City Schools
10
Rozz Martin
Knoxville Museum of Art, Director of Education; Knoxville, TN
10
Suzanne Jack
Professional Visual Artist
10
Vicki May
Bearden High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
10
Bill Hickerson
West Tennessee Regional Art Center, Curator; Humboldt, TN
10
Connie Marley, retired
Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN; Franklin Special Schools
10
Kirsten Waldrep
East Ridge High School, Chattanooga, TN; Hamilton County Schools
10
Coriene Ross (deceased)
Piano Teacher
10
Seth Tinsley
Karns High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
10
Mandy Kraft
10
Leanne Dixson
10
Stan Hillard
10
Katie Alley
10
Megan Christian
10
Paula Goepfert
10
Jamie Wilson
10
Kerry Vaughn
Spring Station Middle School, Spring Hill TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Claire Sudarshan
Westwood Elementary School, Fairview, TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Angie Messer
Music Supervisor, Knox County Schools
10
Hannah Berkley
South Doyle High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
10
Melissa Flanagan, retired
Knox County Schools & Christian Academy of Knoxville TN
10
Peggy Filyaw, retired
Christian Academy of Knoxville
10
GOAL $10,000
Current Progress 
$
6534
Favorite Teacher Leaderboard
Most Unique Donations
Lauren Baker
Clovercroft Elementary School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
6
Jerome Souther
Woodmore Elementary School, Chattanooga TN; Hamilton County Schools
3
Hueston Marshall
Mt. Pleasant High School, Columbia TN
3
Jennifer Keith
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
3
Kami Lunsford
Karns Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
3
Robyn Greene
Lakeland Preparatory School, Lakeland TN
2
Candace Adams
Freedom Intermediate School, Franklin TN; Franklin Special Schools District
2
David Hale (deceased)
Band Director at Franklin High School and Centennial High School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
2
Lafayette Ragsdale (deceased)
Central High School, Memphis TN
2
Amaia R Johnson
FPA Whitehaven Elementary at Milbranch Campus, Memphis, TN
2
Frank Bluestein
Germantown High School, Germantown, TN
2
Mary Moore
Harden Valley Academy, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
2
Marvelene Moore
University of Tennessee Knoxville
2
Virginia Nix
Kenrose Elementary School, Brentwood, TN; Williamson County Schools
2
Donetta Murray, retired
Mount Pleasant High School, Mt. Pleasant TN
2
TAA Facilitators
Tennessee Arts Academy
2
Joe Giles, retired
TAA Founder and Former Director of the Arts Education Program of TDOE
2
Mark Shorter
Elwood Haynes Middle School, Kokomo IN
1
Becky Brandt
Boyd-Buchanan School; Chattanooga, TN
1
James O. Golden (deceased)
Band Director at Overton High School, Nashville, TN; Metro Nashville Public Schools; and Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN; Franklin Special Schools District
1
Sherry Hensley (retired)
Greene County Schools, Chuckey, TN
1
Kathy Coffey
Karns Middle School, Knoxville TN; Knox County Schools
1
Anne Marie Walley
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Franklin Willis
Metro Nashville Public Schools, Director of Visual and Performing Arts
1
Teresa West
Walnut Grove Elementary School; Williamson County Schools
1
Anne Schwartzenberg
Clarksville, TN
1
Katie Traxler
Metro Nashville Public Schools
1
Eli Adams
Moore Elementary, Franklin, TN; Franklin Special Schools District
1
Annie Lee Williams (deceased)
Dickson High School, Dickson TN; Dickson County Schools
1
Jami Ventline
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Gabby Key
Grassland Middle School, Franklin TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Summer Talbert
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Stephanie Winters
Heritage Middle School, Spring Hill, TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Corinne Dowd
Spring Hill Middle School, Spring Hill, TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Terri King, retired
Karns Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
1
Fay Adams
University of Tennessee Knoxville
1
Melinda Sims
Bearden High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
1
Randy Wilson
Atwood, TN
1
Cory Bridges
Atwood High School
1
Anne Henderson
Frist Art Museum, Director of Education and Engagement; Nashville, TN
1
Amanda Galbraith
University of Tennessee Knoxville
1
Donna Anderson, retired
Knox County Schools
1
Jim Dodson
Jefferson Middle School, Oak Ridge, TN; Oak Ridge Schools
1
Judy Jorden
1
Kathy Dumlao
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Director of Education and Interpretation; Memphis TN
1
Libby Lynch
Humboldt Junior and Senior High School, Humboldt TN; Humboldt City Schools
1
Rozz Martin
Knoxville Museum of Art, Director of Education; Knoxville, TN
1
Suzanne Jack
Professional Visual Artist
1
Vicki May
Bearden High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
1
Bill Hickerson
West Tennessee Regional Art Center, Curator; Humboldt, TN
1
Connie Marley, retired
Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN; Franklin Special Schools
1
Kirsten Waldrep
East Ridge High School, Chattanooga, TN; Hamilton County Schools
1
Coriene Ross (deceased)
Piano Teacher
1
Susan Ramsay
Franklin Elementary and Belmont University
1
Alma Herbeck
Alma Herbeck, Centerville Elementary School, Centerville, TN
1
Seth Tinsley
Karns High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
1
Solie Fott, retired
Austin Peay State University
1
Darla Linroade-Henson
Visual Art Teacher, Memphis TN
1
Sara Savell (deceased)
Choral Music Teacher
1
Flowerree McDonough, retired
Bearden High School, Knoxville TN; Knox County Schools
1
Kim Shamblin, retired
Millington Elementary School, Millington TN; Millington Municipal Schools
1
David Reynolds
Moore Elementary School
1
Melody Hart
Tennessee Arts Academy, Office Manager
1
Ken Snyder
Lamar Elementary School, Jonesborough TN; Washington County Schools
1
Janet Laws
Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, TN
1
Mandy Kraft
1
Lucile Cady Edwards, retired
Cohn High School
1
Leanne Dixson
1
Stan Hillard
1
Katie Alley
1
Megan Christian
1
Paula Goepfert
1
Jamie Wilson
1
Kerry Vaughn
Spring Station Middle School, Spring Hill TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Claire Sudarshan
Westwood Elementary School, Fairview, TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Angie Messer
Music Supervisor, Knox County Schools
1
Hannah Berkley
South Doyle High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
1
Melissa Flanagan, retired
Knox County Schools & Christian Academy of Knoxville TN
1
Christine Harness, retired
Tennessee Gresham Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
1
Madeline Bridges, retired
Belmont University School of Music and Former TAA Project Director
1
Frances Jordan Beard
1
Blanche Deaderick
1
Ruth Dunning
1
Marvin Bensman
1
Gene Crain
1
Rebekah Cohen
1
Blanche Tosh
Memphis TN Theatre Teacher and Actor
1
TAA Directors
Tennessee Arts Academy
1
Ashley Zacher
Christian Academy of Knoxville TN
1
Peggy Filyaw, retired
Christian Academy of Knoxville
1
2024 All TIme Favorite Teacher Quotes Provided by Donors
Click the right arrow to see the next Teacher quote..
My favorite memory of Christine Harness is of her standing on top of an art table modeling for her middle schoolers to do contour drawings. I came by her school to deliver some artwork, and she was hard at work! I walked around the room looking at the students' work and it was wonderful! Now retired, she still takes classes and if you are anywhere around, you'll see her teaching at every opportunity and pulling the best from those around her.
-
Donna Anderson
2024 Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Donors
Thank You to All of Our 2024 TAA Foundation Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Donors!
Bud Akers, Donna Anderson, Nancy Beard, Rosetta Jo Beckford, Frank Bluestein, Christine Bock, Becky Brandt, Madeline Bridges, David Chambers, Cavit C. Cheshier, Kathy Coffey, Stephen Coleman, Alisa Cooper de Uribe, Melissa Flanagan, Solie Fott, Bobby Jean Frost, Amanda Galbraith, Melody Hart, Kimberly Heimert, Atticus Hensley, Brandon Herrenbruck, Jim Holcomb, Patricia Hudson, Olivia Johnson, Jean Keith, Jennifer Keith, Janet Laws, Kami Lunsford, Libby Lynch, Connie Marley, Michael D McCleary, Flowerree W. McDonough, Key McKinney, Paula Medlin, Karen Meers, Ronald Meers, Michael Meise, Jerry Monds, Jeffrey Myrick, Linda L Norfleet, Thomas Parnell, Allison Pinkston, Wayne Qualls, Susan Ramsay, Anne Schwartzenberg, Marilyn Shadinger, Wendy Skinner, Nita Smith, Ken Snyder, Todd Tressler, Bill Watkins, Roland Wilson, Stephanie Winters, and Wesley Wright.
2024 Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Detailed Instructions and Promo Video
WATCH THE 2024 TEACHER APPRECIATION DONATION SENSATION PROMO VIDEO
Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

Honor Your Favorite Teacher

Nominate Your All-Time Favorite Teacher & Win Them Recognition And Prize Money

May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and the TAA Foundation wants to let teachers know how much we appreciate all they do every day of the year. To do so, we have created an all new super-cool event – The TAA Foundation Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation!! This new project will replace our May Big Payback fundraiser.

The Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation will not only honor teachers but will also give the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation an opportunity to raise much needed unrestricted dollars to keep the Tennessee Arts Academy alive and healthy and to replenish our scholarship fund.

So How Does it Work?

On May 6th - 10th TAA is giving everyone the ability to nominate their favorite teacher they have had in their lifetime. It can be any teacher in any content area, present or past, you hold in high regard. The top three teachers that get the most nominations and the top three teachers that get the most money raised will all win prizes. See the prize chart below. All teachers nominated will be recognized on our website and on social media and each teacher nominated will also be sent a notice that you nominated them (as long as you provide some kind of contact information for the teacher you nominate).

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

How And When Do I Nominate My Favorite Teacher?

To nominate a teacher, you must make a donation. Donations can be made in any amount starting at $10. The more you give in honor of a teacher, the more chances that teacher has to win a grand prize!

The Contest Days and Hours Are as Follows:
Tuesday: May 7 from 12 NOON–6 PM CDT
Wednesday: May 8 from 12 NOON–6 PM CDT
Thursday: May 9 from 12 NOON–6 PM CDT

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

How Are My Donations Counted To Win A Prize For My Favorite Teacher?

A point system will be used to determine the winning teachers as follows:

    • For each unique donation you make for your favorite teacher, 1 donation (no matter the amount) = 1 point.
    • For each dollar you contribute, 1 dollar = 1 point.


Reach out to your friends and family and get them all to donate for your favorite teacher to make sure your teacher comes out on top!!

Teachers With Highest Grand Total Of Unique Donation Points Will Win:
1st: $100 gift card
2nd: $75 gift card
3rd: $50 gift card

Teachers With Highest Grand Total Dollars Raised Points Will Win:
1st: $100 gift card
2nd: $75 gift card
3rd: $50 gift card

NOTE: Teachers can only win in one category. If they place in both, they will be awarded in the category where they achieved the highest ranking!

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

Here are Ways to Boost Your Donations!

Social Media Prizes

Each day of the contest, TAA will encourage teachers, students, families, artists, etc., to share a story about the All-Time Favorite Teacher they are honoring and why they’ve made such a significant impact on them. This can be a written story or a short video. To be considered, they must mention the name of the educator, tag @TNArtsAcademy (on Twitter & Instagram) or @TennesseeArtsAcademy (on Facebook), and include the hashtag #TAATeacherAppreciation in their post.

At the End of the Contest:

● The teacher who makes the first post on social media about this fundraiser: Wins an extra 25 points to their unique donation count.
● Teachers who have the most mentions on social media: Wins an extra 50 points to their unique donation count.
● Teachers who have the funniest story shared about them: Wins an extra 75 points added to their final dollar amount.
● Teacher with the most moving impact story shared about them: Wins an extra 100 points added to their final dollar amount.

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

Here are Ways to Boost Your Donations!

Daily Prizes

Prize Categories Will Repeat Each Day (Tues-Wed-Thursday)
(Timed prizes awarded to the individuals who donate exactly at the stated time)

• Early Bird Opening Day Donation, first donation of the contest each day (12:00 pm CDT): Win an extra 100 points added to final dollar amount
• Lunchtime Donation at 12:30 pm: Win an extra 50 points added to final dollar amount
• Breaktime Donation at 3:00 pm: Win an extra 50 points added to final dollar amount
• Happy Hour Donation at 4:00 pm: Win an extra 50 points added to final dollar amount
• Dinnertime Donation at 5:30 pm: Win an extra 50 points added to final dollar amount
• Get Outta Here Closing Day Donation, final donation of the contest each day (6:00 pm CDT): Win an extra 100 points added to final dollar amount• Most Unique Donations Made Each Day for a Favorite Teacher: Boosts the final unique donation count for that teacher by 50 points (1st place), 35 points (2nd place), and 20 points (3rd place)
• Highest Dollar Amount Raised Each Day for a Favorite Teacher: Boosts the final dollar amount raised by 100 points (1st place), 50 points (2nd place), and 25 points (3rd place)
• Most Unique Donations 12:00 Noon to 2:59 pm CDT: Boost to final unique donation count by 30 points (1st place), 20 points (2nd place), and 10 points (3rd place)
• Most Dollars Raised 12:00 Noon to 2:59 pm CDT: Boost the final dollar amount raised by 75 points (1st place), 50 points (2nd place), and 25 points (3rd place)
• Most Unique Donations 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm CDT: Boost to final unique donation count by 30 points (1st place), 20 points (2nd place), and 10 points (3rd place)
• Most Dollars Raised 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm CDT: Boost the final dollar amount raised by 75 points (1st place), 50 points (2nd place), and 25 points (3rd place)

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

How Do I Get Started

Click the Button Above or Below to go to our donation page or simply CLICK HERE.

NOTE - the site is active now, so if you want to give it a test run and get started early, please go this link:

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

How Will My Donation Help TAA?

Here are ways your dollars help teachers who attend the Tennessee Arts Academy Summer Institute:

• $449 - Covers full registration fees for one teacher who does not receive funding from their school or system
• $204 - Covers a double room to stay on campus for one teacher who does not receive funding from their school or system
• $150 - Helps provide travel costs for one teacher who does not receive funding from their school or system
• $100 - Helps provide teaching materials for one arts education teacher
• $75 - Helps provide three dinner meals that are not included during the summer Academy week for a teacher who does not receive funding from their school or system
• $50 - Helps provide newsletter printing and distribution for one day of the Academy
• $25 - Helps provide two lunch meals for a teacher during the Academy
• $10 - Helps provide on breakfast meal for a teacher during the Academy

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here
Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Previous Year Donors
Thank You to All of Our TAA Foundation Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Donors!
Donna Anderson, Nancy Beard, Joey Beckford, Charles Blackburn, Frank Bluestein, Madeline Bridges, David Chambers, Cavit C. Cheshier, James Coffman, Stephen Coleman, Martin Cutler, Karen Dean, James Dodson, Rena C. Ellzy, Nancy Essary, Dianne Evans, Solie Fott, Brooke Frassinelli, Bobby Jean Frost, Amanda Galbraith, Scott Genkinger, Kimberly Godwin, Jackie and Hollis Hart, Melody Hart, Atticus Hensley, Brandon Herrenbruck, James R. Holcomb, Patricia A. Hudson, Judy Jorden, Jean Keith, Jennifer Keith, Gina Kelley, Terri King, Jeff Kirk, Janet Laws, John Lennon, Kami Lunsford, Libby Lynch, Connie Marley, Jane Marley, Lea Marshall, Michael McBride, Michael D McCleary, Flowerree W. McDonough, Christopher McKinley, Key McKinney, Paula Medlin, Ron and Karen Meers, Dalton Messenger, Gina Miller, Jerry Monds, Virginia Terry Nix, Linda Norfleet, Monica O'Neill, Pollyanna Parker, Chris Parnell, Mollie Pierro, Diana K. Poe, Susan Ramsay, Jim Rieniets, Marc Scheinberg, Marilyn Shadinger, Pat and Thane Smith, Tabor Stamper, Jesse Strauss, Chris Strelecki, Bennett Tarleton, Karen Joy Thomas, Michelle Tripp, Lori Veal, Bill and Jeanette Watkins, and Talmage Watts
Tennessee Arts Academy • Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation
801 2nd Avenue North  • Suite 100 • Nashville, Tennessee 37201
615-988-6250 • taa@tnartsacademy.org
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