Meet the TAG Executive Board
Co-President - Anne Rucker
president@tngifted.com
Teaching is a second career for Anne Rucker. She originally trained to be a lawyer and practiced briefly in Memphis before moving to Nashville where she taught paralegals. Anne graduate from Mississippi State University with a degree in political science and then University of Memphis where she earned a juris doctorate (J.D.). She obtained her license to teach from Aquinas College and her masters from Arkansas State University. Anne taught elementary school for 9 years in Williamson County before moving to gifted education as a gifted teacher in middle school and now at the high school level.
Co-President - Kathleen Herbert
president@tngifted.com
Kathleen Herbert resides in the Nashville area and has been a gifted education teacher in Williamson County Schools since 2000. She is also a consultant for Borenson and Associates, the developer of Hands-On Equations and Fractions Sense. Her prior experience includes work as an adjunct professor at University of South Carolina, Spartanburg, Title I and Chapter I reading and math teacher, and a classroom teacher in grades 4,5, and 6. She is married with two adult sons.
Co-President Elect- Dr.Kristy Mall
presidentelect@tngifted.com
Dr. Mall is a teacher in a school for gifted and high achievers and teaches during the summers in Vanderbilt's Programs for Talented Youth. She is the SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) liaison for the state, and serves on the publications committee for the National Association for Gifted Children in addition to her work on the board. She presents nationwide at conferences about gifted and twice-exceptional students, and was recently selected to help work as part of the Community of Practice on the IDEA definition and rights of twice-exceptional children. She is the mother of a gifted daughter and a son that is twice-exceptional (gifted and high functioning autism) and loves advocating for and working with gifted children and their families.
presidentelect@tngifted.com
Dr. Mall is a teacher in a school for gifted and high achievers and teaches during the summers in Vanderbilt's Programs for Talented Youth. She is the SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) liaison for the state, and serves on the publications committee for the National Association for Gifted Children in addition to her work on the board. She presents nationwide at conferences about gifted and twice-exceptional students, and was recently selected to help work as part of the Community of Practice on the IDEA definition and rights of twice-exceptional children. She is the mother of a gifted daughter and a son that is twice-exceptional (gifted and high functioning autism) and loves advocating for and working with gifted children and their families.
Co- President Elect - LeAnn Simmerman
presidentelect@tngifted.com
LeAnn Simmerman is honored to serve as a Teacher of the Gifted in Maury County Public Schools. For the past 10 years, she has worked with gifted and twice exceptional students in all grade levels. After graduating from East Tennessee State University with degrees in Special Education and History, she began her career as an elementary Resource Teacher in Johnson City Schools. LeAnn is currently serving as a member of the TN Board of Education Gifted Focus Group. She serves on the national Discovery Education Network Leadership Council and is recognized as a LEGO Master Educator. LeAnn and her husband have 4 children and recently welcomed a daughter in law to the family.
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Vice President, West - Monica Dempsey, Bartlett Schools
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Vice President, East - Michele Tarricone, St. John Neumann Catholic School, Knoxville
vicepresidenteast@tngifted.com
Michele received her bachelors and master's degrees from the University of Tennessee. She has been teaching in Knoxville for twenty-three years in both public and Catholic schools in fourth through eighth grades. This year she helped develop the enrichment program for advanced students at St. John Neumann Catholic School. Michele and her husband enjoy travelling and visiting their grandchildren.
Vice President, Middle - Toni Brown, Wiliamson County Schools
vicepresidentmiddle@tngifted.com
Valerie Meiners-Smith, Crosswind Elementary, Collierville Municipal School District
secretary@tngifted.com
Valerie Meiners-Smith has been teaching for 15 years. Her most recent 5 years of teaching have been in the elementary gifted education setting. Valerie’s passion for gifted education grew from a desire to keep all learners engaged. Valerie is currently a Gifted Differentiation Coach for Crosswind Elementary in the Collierville Municipal School District. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University, a Masters of Education from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Graduate Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education from Ball State University, and a license in Educational Leadership from Christian Brother’s University. Additionally, Valerie is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.
secretary@tngifted.com
Valerie Meiners-Smith has been teaching for 15 years. Her most recent 5 years of teaching have been in the elementary gifted education setting. Valerie’s passion for gifted education grew from a desire to keep all learners engaged. Valerie is currently a Gifted Differentiation Coach for Crosswind Elementary in the Collierville Municipal School District. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University, a Masters of Education from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Graduate Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education from Ball State University, and a license in Educational Leadership from Christian Brother’s University. Additionally, Valerie is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.
Treasurer/Advocacy - Dr. Megan Parker Peters, Lipscomb University
advocacy@tngifted.com
Dr. Peters has served as a school psychologist in public schools and as a specialty psychologist at Vanderbilt University, assessing and consulting with families of intellectually gifted and twice-exceptional learners. Dr. Peters has worked with families and schools from across the country who were seeking expertise in the areas of appropriately evaluating and serving gifted learners. Currently, Dr. Peters is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Teacher Education and Assessment at Lipscomb University. She is a licensed psychologist and licensed school psychologist who has earned the designation as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Dr. Peters specializes in researching and assessing gifted and twice-exceptional learners. Dr. Peters has published numerous articles related to the social emotional needs of gifted learners. She also serves on the editorial board of the National Association for Gifted Children’s publication, Teaching for High Potential.
Treasurer - Eric Fecht, Vanderbilt University
treasurer@tngifted.com
Parent Liaison - Alli Finney
parentliaison@tngifted.com
Alli Finney is a former first grade teacher with a long-time passion for gifted education. When her son was born in 2004, she began the full-time job of finding creative outlets suitable for his busy mind. A resident of Williamson County, Alli joined and later Co-Chaired the WCSlink support group for parents of gifted students while also serving as a PTO President. Along with her husband and son, Alli enjoys traveling and learning about different places, people, and cultures.
Co-Past President - Lorri Whitney, Hamilton County Schools
pastpresident@tngifted.com
Co-Past President - Tara Strang, Hamilton County Schools
pastpresident@tngifted.com