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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
Robyn Greene
Lakeland Preparatory School, Lakeland TN
268
Frank Bluestein
Germantown High School, Germantown, TN
206
Mary Moore
Harden Valley Academy, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
150
Candace Adams
Freedom Intermediate School, Franklin TN; Franklin Special Schools District
129
Lauren Baker
Clovercroft Elementary School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
116
Hueston Marshall
Mt. Pleasant High School, Columbia TN
103
David Hale (deceased)
Band Director at Franklin High School and Centennial High School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
52
Marvelene Moore
University of Tennessee Knoxville
36
Annie Lee Williams (deceased)
Dickson High School, Dickson TN; Dickson County Schools
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
Lafayette Ragsdale (deceased)
Central High School, Memphis TN
26
Jerome Souther
Woodmore Elementary School, Chattanooga TN; Hamilton County Schools
26
Amaia R Johnson
FPA Whitehaven Elementary at Milbranch Campus, Memphis, TN
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
10
Randy Wilson
Atwood, TN
10
Cory Bridges
Atwood High School
10
Jennifer Keith
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
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
Kami Lunsford
Karns Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
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
Virginia Nix
Kenrose Elementary School, Brentwood, TN; Williamson County Schools
10
Vicki May
Bearden High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
10
Bill Hickerson
West Tennessee Regional Art Center, Curator; Humboldt, TN
10
GOAL $10,000
Current Progress 
$
2543
Favorite Teacher Leaderboard
Most Unique Donations
Lauren Baker
Clovercroft Elementary School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
6
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
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
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
Lafayette Ragsdale (deceased)
Central High School, Memphis TN
1
Jerome Souther
Woodmore Elementary School, Chattanooga TN; Hamilton 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
1
Randy Wilson
Atwood, TN
1
Hueston Marshall
Mt. Pleasant High School, Columbia TN
1
Cory Bridges
Atwood High School
1
Jennifer Keith
Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN; Williamson County Schools
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
Kami Lunsford
Karns Middle School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
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
Virginia Nix
Kenrose Elementary School, Brentwood, TN; Williamson County Schools
1
Vicki May
Bearden High School, Knoxville, TN; Knox County Schools
1
Bill Hickerson
West Tennessee Regional Art Center, Curator; Humboldt, TN
1
2024 All TIme Favorite Teacher Quotes Provided by Donors
Click the right arrow to see the next Teacher quote..
Jennifer Keith is an amazing leader and after watching a show of hers, you can tell her kids adore her.
-
Stephanie Winters
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
615-460-5451 • 1900 Belmont Blvd. • Nashville, TN 37212 • taa@belmont.edu
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