Youth Educational Foundation

11/06/2026

Congratulations to Randolph Howell Elementary School STEM Teacher Megann Pawlak for winning a $1000 YEF mini-grant for "Osmo World!!" Maury County Board of Education official Steve McGee was there with us to help congratulate her. Megann will use YEF funds to purchase various Osmo kits for students to strengthen literacy and math skills. Thank you to 2026 YEF Silver Sponsor Stan McNabb Chevrolet Cadillac for bringing Megann's idea to fruition!

11/05/2026

Meet the Member: Katie Day
Joined YEF Board of Directors in August 2026
Favorite teacher growing up: Mr. Price (4th grade)
Why: first year in a new town and new school and he really made learning fun
High School: McEachern High School, Powder Springs, GA

Thank you for volunteering on the YEF Board, Katie!!

11/04/2026

CONGRATS to EA Cox 8th Grade Teacher Catherine Dotson for finding opportunities for her school's newly formed Science Club to thrive! Catherine will use her YEF mini-grant funds to purchase Arduino Uno starter kits, robotics and RC vehicle components, and model rockets. THANK YOU, TN Farmers Mutual Insurance, for your 2026 YEF Silver Sponsorship that made this $1,000 grant possible.

11/03/2026

You're invited to learn about financial aid and student debt resources from two specialists who will answer your questions and help you get a head start on financing your higher education dreams.

Jonathan Donald from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission will talk about financial aid available to all Tennessee residents, including application requirements and deadlines. Sarah Evans, a Financial Health Educator, will talk about student debt realities and the impact of student debt. Both speakers will stay to answer questions.

Please sign up today!
https://springhilltn.libcal.com/event/15022072

Where:
Spring Hill Public Library
144 Kedron Parkway
Spring Hill, Tennessee 37174

When:
Saturday, November 14
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

10/30/2026

AMBER HOLMES, come on dowwwwn! You've just won a $1500 YEF mini-grant for your project "Books for Big Feelings: A Teacher SEL Lending Library" at Joseph Brown Elementary!! Thank you for applying, Amber, and thank you to 2026 YEF Gold Sponsor Parks Motor Sales Buick GMC for making resources like these available to 3rd and all grades school-wide!

10/29/2026

Favorite school memory: Friday night football games and pep rallies were some of my favorite memories! I played softball and volleyball, so we were always at a ballfield or in a gym somewhere. - Tracy Ring, YEF Board Member since August 2026

10/27/2026

Another YEF mini-grant winner this fall who is also named Teacher of the Year by his school. Congratulations, Mr. Ventura!!

J.R. Baker is proud to announce that our Teacher of the Year is Mr. Marcos Ventura! Affectionately known as "Mr. V." to students, Marcos is an integral part of our school community, investing in the social, emotional, and academic growth of our students every day. Through music, encouragement, and meaningful connections, he helps our students learn, grow, and achieve!
Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved honor for Mr. V.! We are so proud to have you as part of our Baker family, Marcos!

10/27/2026

A YEF mini-grant winner for this fall is also named Teacher of the Year by her school!! Way to go, Dr. Secrest.

It is our honor and privilege to announce our 2026 Teacher of the Year for Spring Hill Elementary, Dr. Deana Secrest.

Dr. Secrest has served as a second-grade teacher at SHES since 2019 and brings more than 20 years of experience as an educator. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she has served as the Lead Mentor for Spring Hill Elementary since 2021 and as a Tennessee ALL Corps Tutor for fourth-grade students since 2023. She has been instrumental in the success of our school’s Star Summer Program by taking on the responsibilities of Site Supervisor for multiple years.

Dr. Secrest earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entertainment Industry Management from the University of North Alabama in 2002. She received her teaching credentials from the University of North Florida in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University in 2007. In 2019, she completed her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership at Lipscomb University.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Secrest treasures her role as a mother to one daughter and mother-in-law to her son-in-law (SIL). She is also a proud and loving GiGi to her grandchildren, who hold a very special place in her heart.

Dr. Secrest is passionate about supporting student achievement, mentoring fellow educators, and contributing to the continued growth and success of her school community.

Spring Hill Elementary is proud to have such a dedicated professional on our faculty!

Congratulations Dr. Secrest!

Spring Hill Elementary PTA
Maury County Public Schools

10/26/2026

THANK YOU, GM Financial, for being a 2026 YEF Gold Sponsor, enabling us to support MCPS's Teacher of the Year Ceremony this coming January 2027!! The ceremony celebrates teachers selected from 10 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 4 high schools, 3 unit schools, a virtual academy, a non-traditional high school, and an alternative school, all in Maury County.

10/25/2026

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!”
― Humbert Wolfe