Tennessee Retired Teachers' Association

The East Tennessee Retired Teachers Association is sponsoring an East Tennessee welcome to Dr. Derek Black. Dr. Black is the author of School House Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy. He is a graduate of Clinton High School and holds the Ernest Hollings Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of South Carolina. He plays key roles in the fight to preserve public education and democracy.  

When: December 7, 2023, at 5:00 pm 

Where: Clinton High School, Clinton TN 37716 

Speakers: Dr. Derek Black; Tanya Coats, current TEA President; and tentatively NEA President Becky Pringler. 

Clinton, TN, December 7th- Dr. Derek Black will return to his alma mater to speak at Clinton High School regarding the relationship between public education and democracy. His visit is being coordinated with the Retired Teachers Association of East Tennessee. This is to be a celebration of public education.  

A reception is being sponsored by the Tennessee Education Association and NEA President Becky Pringle will attend if her schedule permits.  

The event invites students, parents, both active and retired educators, and other educational professionals to hear Dr. Black speak of the vital importance of public education to American democracy and the history that public education and democracy share. 

We are aware of the attacks and politics surrounding public education and seldom do we hear of the positive relationship between public education and democracy. This is an event that allows educational professionals- future, current and retired- to speak up for public education, which we feel is a cornerstone of our democracy.