Why join TEA?

1945 First Teacher Retirement Protection Law 

1947 Sick Leave Law 

1951 Teacher Tenure Law 

1957 Social Security authorized for teachers

1965 First public Kindergarten 

1971 Personal/Professional Days Mandated

1973 Comprehensive Vocational Education launched

1979 Grades K-3 class sizes capped at 25 students

1981 Sick Leave Bank Authorized

1985 State Health Insurance Plan for Teachers Enforced

1985 Duty-Free Lunch Mandated

1986 60 Minutes Per Week Planning Time for K-8 Teachers Mandated 

1990 College Tuition Reduction for Children of Public School Teachers Authorized 

1992 Class Size Reduced due to Education Improvement Act 

1992 Kindergarten Mandated

1996 Teachers Protected from Performing Medical Procedures

1997 Retirement Benefits Improved with  Compounded COLA 

1998 Health Insurance Benefit Gained for Retired Educators 

2001 Special Education Class Size Reduced 

2002 “Working Conditions” Clarified Under PN Law 

2003 One Member of the Tennessee State Board of Education Required to be a K-12 Teacher 

2005 $25 Million in Lottery Funds Earmarked for  Pre-Kindergarten Expansion 

2006 $250 Million NEW Dollars Appropriated    for Pre-K and K-12 Programs 

2008 60/80/90 Campaign Stresses Impact of Adequate Salaries, Insurance and Retirement on Teacher Quality 

2010 TEA Strengthens Tenure Law by Requiring Professional Hearing Officers 

2012 Teacher Evaluations Are Not Public Record 

2013 Teacher’s Choice on Reassignment After a  “Reduction in Workforce” 

2014 Licensure Decisions Not Based on TVAAS Data

2015 Added $125 Million Recurring Funds for Salaries and Benefits 

2016 Standardized Test Transparency for Teachers and Parents 

2017 Private School Vouchers Defeated for a 5th Straight Year 

2018 Teachers Held Harmless From TNReady and K/Pre-K Portfolios 

2020 Mandated Personal Protective Equipment  

2021 Teachers Held Harmless From TNReady and K/Pre-K Portfolios 

Why Join the Association? 

Professional Development 

TEA is the largest provider of high-quality professional development in the state. Earn PDs in anything and everything from classroom management to teacher evaluations. New Teachers receive specialized training and 24 hour support. 

Representation 

From the state house to the local school board, elected officials are making decisions that impact your classroom and YOU need to be part of the conversation! TEA members are the strongest advocates for protected instructional time, fair evaluations, salary increases, and benefits. 

Peer Support 

With over 60,000 members statewide and a 24 hour hotline, you are always connected to professional support.

Legal Protection 

TEA members benefit from a team of the best educational law experts in the state. Think the district will insure you?  Think again. Liability insurance only works if there is “no violation of any board policy.” As a TEA member, we have you covered. 

Attorney Referral Program for Non-job Related Issues

2 free consultations & 30% discount on fees for real estate, wills & estate, divorce/custody/child support, creditor disputes & garnishments, and traffic violations. 

Member Discounts 

Vacations, movie tickets, life insurance, cars, restaurants, and more! The cash you’ll save more than sets off the cost of membership.   Check out https://tnea.org/benefits-and-services-directory for a list of benefits!  

Download the MyDeals app on your phone, enter TEA and your member number to receive many discounts.  

What You Get Locally For Your Membership

• Updates on Education Committee Bills in the General Assembly 

• Monthly meetings with representatives from all of the district’s 15 schools including 1 secondary administrative representative, 1 elementary administrative representative and 1 central office representative 

• Bi-Annual Membership Meetings open to all membership 

• Monthly DCEA officer meetings with Dr. Southerland and her staff 

• DCEA representation at every school board meeting 

• DCEA representation at every county commission meeting 

***Future Teachers’ Scholarship, Mentoring a future Educator  at our Educator Signing Day, Educator of the Year Award, Retired Teachers’ Recognition, Teacher Town Hall, NHC Secret Santa, NHC Fall & Spring Dances, Back2School Social 

Email: DCEAssoc@gmail.com Email anytime with questions/concerns regarding pay, benefits, retirement, working conditions, educational advocacy 

Find us On Facebook: Dickson Education Association 

5 Easy Steps to Make a Real Difference

1. Register to vote

2. Vote in every election.

3. Attend at least one school board meeting. Take another Association member, and make sure school board members know you are there.

4. Stay informed about state and national laws/rules/regs that affect you and your students with TEA and NEA.

5. Know who represents you on the local and state school boards, county commission or city council, state legislature and Congress. Contact Mary Poindexter at TEA Government Relations for more information. 

6. Email, write and call your local, state and national representatives to garner support on ed issues.