We'd love to hear from you!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

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!

2023 Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation
Favorite Teacher Leaderboard
Most Dollars Raised
Jim Dodson
Jefferson Middle School - Oak Ridge, TN
1270
Frank Bluestein
Germantown High School, Retired Theatre Teacher - Germantown, TN
1158
John Duke
Band Director
1000
Angela Pope
Siegel Elementary - Murfreesboro,TN
974
Pollyanna Parker
Rossview High School, Retired Theatre Teacher - Clarksville, TN
379
Solie Fott
Professor Emeritus of Music at Austin Peay State University - Clarksville, TN
300
Susan Waters
Oliver Middle School Director of Bands - Nashville, TN
175
Cory Bridges
West Carroll High School - Atwood, TN
167
Libby Lynch
Humboldt Jr Sr High School, Humboldt, TN
146
Donna Anderson
143
Lauren Baker
Clovercroft Elementary, Williamson County Schools
139
Brenda McMurry Gideon
English & Theatre Teacher, Lebanon High School - Lebanon, TN
125
Terry Edwards
Lebanon High School - Lebanon, TN
125
Jennifer Kirkman
Private Bassoon Teacher - Kokomo, IN
120
Pamela Joyner
Carroll County Schools - Trezevant, TN
110
Andrea Braden
L.C. Humes High School, Memphis, TN
103
Connie Marley
Freedom Middle School, Franklin TN
103
Donna Ladd
Farmington Elementary, Memphis TN
103
Flowerree McDonough
Bearden High School, Retired Visual Art Teacher - Hixson, TN
103
Jack Brown
Retired Physics and Algebra Teacher, Dickson High School - Dickson, TN
100
Frances Jordan Beard
McCracken County Schools - Paducah, KY
100
Rhendall & Julie Millen
St. Mary's Episcopal School Music Teachers - Memphis, TN
100
Jennifer Keith
Grassland Middle School - Franklin TN
98
Madeline Bridges
Professor Emerita of Music at Belmont University - Nashville, TN
78
Joe Giles
Former Director of Arts Education -Tennessee Department of Education
76
Nancy Shumate
Clarksville High School - Clarksville, TN
76
Madison Short
75
Ken Snyder
Lamar Elementary School - Jonesborough, TN
70
Homer Pence
Retired Professor of Music, Ball State University - Muncie, IN
70
Terri Wiley
Dacula Middle School, Band Director - Dacula, Georgia
62
Jack Sloane
62
Blanche Tosh
62
Gene Crain
62
Rebekah Cohen
62
George Toney
62
Anne Marie Walley
Grassland Middle School - Franklin, TN
60
Kathy Scott
High School English Teacher
52
Kami Lunsford
Karns Middle School - Knoxville, TN
52
Ann Birdwell
40
Judy Jorden
40
Anne Henderson
Frist Art Museum, Director of Education and Engagement - Nashville, TN
40
Vicki May
Bearden High School Visual Art Teacher - Knoxville, TN
40
Boo Ruch
40
Kathy Dumlao
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Director of Education and Interpretation - Memphis, TN
40
Gene Mullins, Jr.
Tennessee Technological University - Cookeville, TN
26
Gene Mullins, Sr.
Band Director, Metro Nashville Public Schools - Nashville, TN
26
Layfayette Ragsdale
High School Band Director
21
David Grant
Alcoa Intermediate School, Visual Art Teacher - Alcoa, TN
21
Virginia Nix
Kenrose Elementary School - Brentwood, TN
20
David Reynolds
Moore Elementary School - Franklin, TN
20
Janet Laws
Brentwood Academy - Brentwood, TN
20
Kim Shamblin
Retired Visual Art Teacher
20
Gina Kelley
Overton High School - Nashville, TN
20
Key McKinney
Friendship Christian School - Lebanon, TN
20
Sherry Hensley
Greene County Schools
10
Monica O'Neill
Rossview Elementary School, Clarksville, TN
10
Dr. Dedrick Messenger
Dan Mills Elementary, Metro Nashville Public Schools - Nashville TN
10
Anne Schwartzenberg
Clarksville, Tennessee
10
Teresa West
Walnut Grove Elementary - Franklin, TN
10
Kendall Wittstruck
Williamson County Schools - Franklin, TN
10
Elijah Adams
Moore Elementary, Franklin Special Schools District - Franklin TN
10
Jo Ann Hood
10
Michelle Tripp
Page High School - Franklin, TN
10
Marilynn Duran
Walnut Grove Elementary - Franklin, TN
10
Sandy Sullivan
10
Tori Capps
Franklin High School - Franklin, TN
10
Randy Wilson
West Carroll High School - Jackson, TN
10
Fay Adams
University of Tennessee Knoxville
10
Joyce Scates
TN West Carroll High School - Atwood, TN
10
Atticus Hensley
West Middle School - Tullahoma, TN
10
Todd McNerney
College of Charleston - Charleston, SC
10
Karen Joy Thomas
Christ Presbyterian Academy - Franklin, TN
10
Lisa Moody
Brentwood High School - Brentwood, TN
10
Becky Williams
Independence High School - Franklin, TN
10
Jane Williams
Grassland Elementary School - Franklin, TN
10
GOAL $10,000
Current Progress 
$
8472
Favorite Teacher Leaderboard
Most Unique Donations
Jennifer Keith
Grassland Middle School - Franklin TN
138
Angela Pope
Siegel Elementary - Murfreesboro,TN
105
Libby Lynch
Humboldt Jr Sr High School, Humboldt, TN
85
Pollyanna Parker
Rossview High School, Retired Theatre Teacher - Clarksville, TN
75
Madeline Bridges
Professor Emerita of Music at Belmont University - Nashville, TN
37
Pamela Joyner
Carroll County Schools - Trezevant, TN
31
Lauren Baker
Clovercroft Elementary, Williamson County Schools
23
Brenda McMurry Gideon
English & Theatre Teacher, Lebanon High School - Lebanon, TN
11
Terry Edwards
Lebanon High School - Lebanon, TN
11
Ken Snyder
Lamar Elementary School - Jonesborough, TN
11
Jennifer Kirkman
Private Bassoon Teacher - Kokomo, IN
11
Jane Williams
Grassland Elementary School - Franklin, TN
11
Madison Short
11
Donna Anderson
3
Jim Dodson
Jefferson Middle School - Oak Ridge, TN
3
Jack Brown
Retired Physics and Algebra Teacher, Dickson High School - Dickson, TN
3
Susan Waters
Oliver Middle School Director of Bands - Nashville, TN
3
Joe Giles
Former Director of Arts Education -Tennessee Department of Education
3
Nancy Shumate
Clarksville High School - Clarksville, TN
3
Key McKinney
Friendship Christian School - Lebanon, TN
3
Frances Jordan Beard
McCracken County Schools - Paducah, KY
3
Rhendall & Julie Millen
St. Mary's Episcopal School Music Teachers - Memphis, TN
3
Layfayette Ragsdale
High School Band Director
2
Ann Birdwell
2
Judy Jorden
2
Anne Henderson
Frist Art Museum, Director of Education and Engagement - Nashville, TN
2
Vicki May
Bearden High School Visual Art Teacher - Knoxville, TN
2
Boo Ruch
2
Kathy Dumlao
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Director of Education and Interpretation - Memphis, TN
2
Gina Kelley
Overton High School - Nashville, TN
2
Anne Marie Walley
Grassland Middle School - Franklin, TN
2
John Duke
Band Director
1
Frank Bluestein
Germantown High School, Retired Theatre Teacher - Germantown, TN
1
Andrea Braden
L.C. Humes High School, Memphis, TN
1
Connie Marley
Freedom Middle School, Franklin TN
1
Donna Ladd
Farmington Elementary, Memphis TN
1
Terri Wiley
Dacula Middle School, Band Director - Dacula, Georgia
1
Kathy Scott
High School English Teacher
1
Sherry Hensley
Greene County Schools
1
Monica O'Neill
Rossview Elementary School, Clarksville, TN
1
Solie Fott
Professor Emeritus of Music at Austin Peay State University - Clarksville, TN
1
Kami Lunsford
Karns Middle School - Knoxville, TN
1
Dr. Dedrick Messenger
Dan Mills Elementary, Metro Nashville Public Schools - Nashville TN
1
Anne Schwartzenberg
Clarksville, Tennessee
1
Teresa West
Walnut Grove Elementary - Franklin, TN
1
Kendall Wittstruck
Williamson County Schools - Franklin, TN
1
Elijah Adams
Moore Elementary, Franklin Special Schools District - Franklin TN
1
Virginia Nix
Kenrose Elementary School - Brentwood, TN
1
David Reynolds
Moore Elementary School - Franklin, TN
1
Janet Laws
Brentwood Academy - Brentwood, TN
1
Kim Shamblin
Retired Visual Art Teacher
1
Jo Ann Hood
1
Michelle Tripp
Page High School - Franklin, TN
1
Marilynn Duran
Walnut Grove Elementary - Franklin, TN
1
Sandy Sullivan
1
Tori Capps
Franklin High School - Franklin, TN
1
Randy Wilson
West Carroll High School - Jackson, TN
1
Fay Adams
University of Tennessee Knoxville
1
Joyce Scates
TN West Carroll High School - Atwood, TN
1
Atticus Hensley
West Middle School - Tullahoma, TN
1
Gene Mullins, Jr.
Tennessee Technological University - Cookeville, TN
1
Gene Mullins, Sr.
Band Director, Metro Nashville Public Schools - Nashville, TN
1
David Grant
Alcoa Intermediate School, Visual Art Teacher - Alcoa, TN
1
Todd McNerney
College of Charleston - Charleston, SC
1
Karen Joy Thomas
Christ Presbyterian Academy - Franklin, TN
1
Lisa Moody
Brentwood High School - Brentwood, TN
1
Becky Williams
Independence High School - Franklin, TN
1
Jack Sloane
1
Blanche Tosh
1
Gene Crain
1
Rebekah Cohen
1
George Toney
1
Homer Pence
Retired Professor of Music, Ball State University - Muncie, IN
1
Flowerree McDonough
Bearden High School, Retired Visual Art Teacher - Hixson, TN
1
Cory Bridges
West Carroll High School - Atwood, TN
1
2023 All TIme Favorite Teacher Quotes Provided by Donors
Click the right arrow to see the next Teacher quote..
Flowerree McDonough is a teacher who challenged all her students, many of who have become successful in a wide variety of art related fields. She continues to challenge herself and others in art related activities in retirement, always bringing out the best in everyone.
-
Judy Jorden
2023 Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation Donors
Thank You to All of Our 2023 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
Nominate Your Favorite Teacher & Donate Here

Honor Your Favorite Teacher

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

May 8-12 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 9th - 11th 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 9 from 12 NOON–6 PM CDT
Wednesday: May 10 from 12 NOON–6 PM CDT
Thursday: May 11 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
Tennessee Arts Academy • Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation
615-460-5451 • 1900 Belmont Blvd. • Nashville, TN 37212 • taa@belmont.edu
Top