The History of Gilbreath Literacy Council at ETSU

Gilbreath Council History 

Much of the information presented in this report was provided by Dr. John M. Taylor. Dr. Taylor was the chair of the Reading Department which was incorporated into the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 1978. The Gilbreath Council of the Tennessee Reading Association was founded in 1961 and was known as the Upper East Tennessee Council of the International Reading Association. Ms. Allie Lou Felton Gilbreath, an instructor in the teacher preparation program at East Tennessee State University, was instrumental in creating the council. Ms. Gilbreath very strongly believed that “reading was the gateway for all children as a means to a better life.” She received strong support from her husband, Sydney Gilbreath, who had been the president of the university. 

Ms. Gilbreath encouraged members of the Council to foster literacy development throughout the year and, in addition, determined that there should be a conference each year bringing teachers and school leaders together to encourage literacy learning in area schools and the community at large. In 1961, the first year of the Council, she invited Dr. Mary Austin, a noted psychologist and educator from Harvard University to be the keynote speaker. Dr. Austin presented at ETSU and that led to establishing of a strong literacy conference every year.  

Throughout the years, Allie Lou Felton Gilbreath worked to support the council. In 1971, Dr. John M. Taylor was president of the Council. The Gilbreath Council board members voted unanimously to rename the council the Allie Lou Felton Gilbreath Council of the International Reading Association. The name change was kept secret from Ms. Gilbreath and announced at a Council dinner meeting that she was attending.  

The council prospered over the years with membership well over 100 and the one-day conference attracted upwards of 250 attendees. Everyone who attended received two three-hour in-service letters, one for the morning and one for the afternoon session.  

The Council leadership developed a two-week reading workshop that provided three University credit hours. The one-day conference was built into the two-week workshop. Dr. James D. Bowman, Dr. John M. Taylor, and Dr. Flora C. Joy were instrumental in developing the workshops. Based mainly on workshop activities, Dr. Joy developed the Storytelling Program that eventually gained national prominence, attracting graduate students all over the United States. The Storytelling program was moved to the College of Arts and Sciences upon the retirement of Dr. Joy. I had the honor of working with Dr. Taylor, Dr. Joy, and Dr. Bowman starting in the mid-seventies. 

Attendance at the one-day conference and the two-week reading workshop dropped sharply in the 90s as school systems all over the Northeast Tennessee region started offering their own in-service credit programs. Teachers could stay at their own school and complete the requirements to earn the in-service credits required by the Tennessee State Board of Education. The two-week workshop was dropped in favor of regular semester course offerings.  

Nevertheless, the Gilbreath Council has maintained a presence in supporting literacy development in the Northeast Tennessee region and remains an important component of the Tennessee Literacy Association. In a more far-reaching context, the Gilbreath Council provides a community and school-based link to the International Literacy Association, as well. At the community level, the leaders and members of the Gilbreath Council foster support for literacy learning through providing parents, teachers, and school leaders with information and strategies for enhancing literacy learning. Gilbreath Council members share and build upon a wonderful heritage that continues to be a beacon for literacy learning throughout Northeast Tennessee.