Literacy Award Given at Conference

From left are Misty Mercer, district literacy specialist for the Greene County School System co-organizer of this year’s conference; recipient Heather Fay, teacher at Highland Elementary in Greeneville; Tammy Wells, information processing specialist at Walters State who was instrumental in starting and growing the conference; and Dr. Matthew Hunter, dean of high school programs, the Newport Center, and P-16 and co-organizer of the program.

Literacy Award Named After Wells

The 13th Annual East Tennessee Literacy Conference included the presentation of the first Tammy Wells Mid-East Tennessee P-16 Regional Council Literacy Award. The conference is planned each year by Walters State and the Mid-East Tennessee Regional P-16 Council.

The award is named for Tammy Wells, information processing specialist whose efforts were key in the start and growth the literacy conference.

“Tammy played a crucial role in making this conference the best conference of its type in East Tennessee,” said Dr. Matthew Hunter, dean of high school programs, Newport Center and P-16. “She spent many hours developing materials, handling speaking arrangements, and taking care of the last-minute needs and details of the conference since it began in 2011.”

Wells moved to the college’s Instructional Department for Educator Advisement and Success in 2023. 

“We had talked about this award previously. Initiating it now and honoring Tammy’s involvement in the conference seemed perfect,” Hunter said. 

The award will be given each year to recognize an educator for his or her work in the field literacy. The first winner was Heather Fay, a teacher at Highland Elementary School in Greeneville.

This year’s conference featured author Todd Nesloney and National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman. The conference’s 39 breakout sessions drew 269 people. 

“We’re already thinking about the 2025 conference,” Hunter said. “We will continue to provide outstanding opportunities for educators to learn, connect and grow.”