Eula Gray Allison, Nashville, Tennessee

Eula Gray Allison Was born in Centerville, Tennessee, to parents Mack and Ellen Gray December 10, 1900.  Since there was no high school for blacks at that time in small areas, the principal was persuaded to giver her lessons after school at home.  At age 16, Mrs. Allison took the state examination for teachers received her teaching certificate.  In a small church building her first job as a teacher was started with four black children, two boys and two girls, and ten whites.  During school breaks Mrs. Allison further pursued her educational efforts.  From that time on, going to college six or twelve weeks at a time was how she got her college degree.

Annette Cothron, Dixon Springs, Tennessee

Annette Woodmore Cothron was born September 6, 1920 in the Macon County hills of Tennessee.  She dropped out of school at the age of sixteen to marry the man of her dreams.  In 1947 Mrs. Cothron returned to school to pursue her life’s ambition of becoming a teacher.  She attended college each summer by commuting to Middle Tennessee State University and George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.  This culminated in the earning of a B.S., M.A., and Ed.S. degrees.  Being influenced by her daughter’s handicapped condition, Annette Cothron chose the area of special education.  After thirty-four years of service, Mrs. Cothron retired in 1985.

Delores Doyle, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Dr. Delores Doyle retired as Principal of Reeves-Rogers Elementary School in 2000 after 34 years in education.  Dr. Doyle earned her A.D. from Dakota State College; her B.S., M.Ed., and Ed.S., from MTSU; and her Ph.D. from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.  Among the honors she received were Career Ladder II, 1991 TEA Distinguished Administrator Award.  Dr. Doyle held various offices in the Murfreesboro Education Association including president and chief negotiator.  She is active in Delta Kappa Gamma and the National and State Teachers of the Year organizations.

Jane Eldridge, Madison, Tennessee

Dr. Jane Eldridge received her B.A. from Vanderbilt University, her Masters from Peabody College and her Ed.D. from Tennessee State University.  She taught Mathematics, Speech and sponsored the Forensic Program at Madison High School.  When Madison closed in 1986, Dr. Eldridge went to Hunters Lane teaching Speech and English and sponsored their Forensics program.   In 1996, she retired from active teaching and has done volunteer work in forensics at both Hunters Lane and Goodpasture.  Dr. Eldridge was the recipient of the Key Coach Award, the Distinguished Career Service Award, and the Pelham Award by the Barkley Forum, Emory University.

Mary Caruthers Scales, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Mary Caruthers Scales is a champion for educational excellence.  She is an articulate and passionate visionary, and highly sought after as a speaker, consultant and crusader.  After receiving a B.S. from TSU, and an M.A. from MTSU, and postgraduate work at Peabody and Vanderbilt, she became a classroom teacher and supervisor of instruction.  At MTSU, she was an assistant professor and associate dean, and Math Specialist for the State of Tennessee.  After retiring, she unselfishly served as a City Council member and School Board member for Murfreesboro.  For distinguished service to the community and for doing what was right for children, she is a deserving recipient.

Joe Spence, Knoxville, Tennessee

Joe Spence was born in Decaturville, TN, graduated from Decatur County High School, earned a B.S. degree in education and an M.A. in history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and did graduate work in historic preservation at Middle Tennessee State University.  During his thirty-eight-year tenure at Lenoir City High School, he organized the state-validated American Studies curriculum and created the Drama department.  He was twice chosen district teacher of the year, selected as outstanding American History teacher in Tennessee by the DAR in 1980-81, and was recognized by Humanities Tennessee for outstanding teaching of the humanities in 1985.  He received the Teaching Excellence Award from the East Tennessee Historical Society in 1992.