Stephanie has 21 years of teaching experience in Tennessee public schools and has served as a Niswonger Rural LIFE literacy/ personalized learning coach before coming aboard Project On-Track in 2022. Stephanie began as a guidance counselor and special education teacher, started behavior programs for high school and elementary students, taught special education, started a district-wide program for students with autism, and taught 6th grade math and science before teaching 6th and 8th grade ELA.  She has served as a personalized learning facilitator, district-wide personalized learning coach, Secondary Literacy Council member, and as a SCORE education fellow.  Stephanie has served in many teacher leader roles throughout her career.  She is passionate about equity in student achievement opportunities and closing gaps by providing high-quality rigorous opportunities for all students every day. Stephanie has been married to Jerry Boyd since 1994 and has three children. Killian is 31 and a graduate of TTU with a history degree; Calista is a 27 year old doctoral student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville studying comparative politics and statistics; Silas is 24 and a chemical engineer.  Stephanie received her B.S. in Special Education from Tennessee Tech University and her M.Ed. in instructional leadership from Union University.

Wendy has over 35 year of experience in education in Nevada and Tennessee. She worked in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada for 29 years. She is passionate about student achievement and ensuring ALL students are “ready by exit” in each facet of their education.

Wendy is originally from Elizabethton Tennessee. She recently retired and relocated back to Northeast Tennessee. She completed her undergraduate degree at UNLV and graduate degree at Nova Southeastern University. During her tenure in the Clark County School District, she taught Kindergarten through fourth grades. Next, she pursued leadership roles where she served as an elementary school assistant principal for 6 years and then as a principal for 11 years. She is thrilled to be working with the Niswonger Foundation and Project on Track to assist students who’s learning opportunities were impacted by COVID.

Hello! I’m Miranda. I’m a community-invested counselor with experience growing people, ideas, and partnerships. I have a servant’s heart for our rural and underserved communities, and a desire to promote mental health initiatives throughout our region. With 17 years of experience working in private practice, in-patient, and community-based initiatives, I’m excited to now turn my focus toward Project On-Track and empower tutors to be the safe, stable relationship that students need.

I’ve spent the past few years working with Ballad’s Population Health Department to promote behavioral health and equity for the Appalachian Highland region. I worked closely with the STRONG ACC, STRONG Kids, and B-Well.

I graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B.A. in Criminology, and Carson Newman College with a M.Ed. in Marriage and Family Counseling. I hold a license in Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider. I’m also a trainer for Building Strong Brains, ACE Interface, Stress First Aid, and QPR.

My commitment to the region comes from being raised in the hollers and hills of Hancock County. My husband, Shane, and I have chosen “Overhome” to grow our own family. We have three school-aged kiddos, Birdie Kate (wild as a mink), Myla Mae (sweet as soda pop), and Cedar Lewis (half bear and the other half cat). I’m also extremely blessed to be healthy and happy after surviving a breast cancer diagnosis in June 2019.

Debra Bentley recently retired from Johnson City Schools where she served as Director of Instruction and Communications since 2005.  Prior to serving as the director of Project On-Track, she was principal of Johnson City Schools’ Mountain View Elementary from 1995 to 2005 and Keystone Elementary from 1992 to 1995.  She was selected as Tennessee’s National Distinguished Principal in 2004. Debra serves as an adjunct instructor in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis department of E.T.S.U.  She has held several positions with the TN Department of Education in the evaluation of state teachers and principals.  Debra has served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Washington County, Coalition for Kids, Boys and Girls Club, and Girls, Inc.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Virginia’s College at Wise and a masters and doctorate from E.T.S.U.