Gray is a finalist for state award

Joan Gray of the Bedford County School System is one of nine finalists for educational Supervisor of the Year in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Education announced nine candidates from across the state Tuesday for the Supervisor of the Year and the Principal of the Year awards.

Gray has 38 years of educational experience and a large number of honors and awards. She is supervisor of secondary instruction and director of technology in Bedford County Schools. Her husband, Ed Gray, is superintendent of the county school system.

"Education is a life-long process and an ever-changing challenge," Gray said. "If we do not continue to learn each day, we become stagnant and close-minded."

"Although I have been an educator of 38 years and have seen many programs come and go over these years, I have also realized that staying abreast of the conventions, the pedagogy, the trends, and the newest methods is the only way to stay current and to keep my school system informed and on the right track as we strive to meet the needs of today's students."

Gray was chosen as Supervisor of the Year for the South Central Supervisor's Study Council in 2004 and 2006, recognized as Outstanding Supervisor of Instruction in promoting English curriculum by the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English, and was awarded a citation for serving on the State Steering Committee for the National Conference of the National Council of Teachers of English.

She was also Teacher of the Year in 1980 in Marshall County, Giles County in 1986, took the same award in Bedford County in 1997 and was Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 2000 and Best Teacher in March of dimes Best of Bedford in 2001.

Gray was president for two years of the South Central Supervisor's Study Council, served on the board of directors of the Tennessee Educational Technology Association, was past chair of the Middle Tennessee Educational Technology Association, past president of the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, state coordinator of the National Writing Awards Program for the National Council of Teachers of English [NCTE] for the last 15 years, registration chair for the national convention of NCTE, a past president of the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English and past president of the Bedford County Education Association.

Nominees for both awards are selected from each of the nine field service center regions and all finalists will participate in an interview stage to determine the three grand division finalists and an overall award winner.

Winners will be announced at the 2006 Tennessee Educational Leadership (LEAD) Conference banquet in October.

"These educators contribute immeasurably to the academic progress of the schools they serve." Education Commissioner Lana Seivers said. "The students and teachers with whom they work benefit from their exceptional leadership expertise."

"It's important to take the time to recognize the distinguished service these administrators have given to the educational progress of their local communities," said Barry Olhausen, executive director of professional development for the Tennessee Department of Education. "Many students have benefited from the dedication these principals and supervisors have demonstrated throughout their careers."

Educational Networks of America (ENA) co-sponsors recognition of these principals and supervisors each year at the LEAD conference banquet. The fifth annual LEAD conference brings together principals, assistant principals, supervisors, testing coordinators, counselors and lead teachers from across Tennessee.