Bright Start TN
A promising partnership for Knoxville/Knox County
United Way of Greater Knoxville is leading an inclusive strategy to transform the Early Care and Education System in Knoxville-Knox County through its development, implementation, and advocacy of the Bright Steps Action Plan.
Explore the Bright Steps Action Plan at uwgk.org/bright-steps/.
“United Way of Greater Knoxville is honored to be part of this first-of-its-kind initiative that strongly aligns with our mission to improve education systems and outcomes in our community. Early childhood care and education is critical to future academic and career success, and the need for change is urgent. It’s time to align our community around a regional early childhood plan.”
Knoxville/Knox County Leadership Team
Ellie Kittrell
Bright Start Fellow, Director of Childcare and Early Education Systems, United Way of Greater Knoxville
Megan Barolet-Fogarty
Centro Hispano and Co-Chair TN Afterschool Network
Patty Bowlin
Program Coordinator, East TN CCR&R and University of TN
Denise Dean
Executive Director, East TN Freedom Schools
Dr. Hope Denny
Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, Pellissippi State
Allison Douglas
Resource Center Manager, Harmony Family Center
Kara Finger
Executive Director, Wesley House and Co-Chair TN Afterschool Network
Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Knox County Government
Renee Kelly
Chief of Staff, Knox County Schools
Mayor Indya Kincannon
City of Knoxville
Dr. Beth Lackey
Supervisor of Voluntary Pre-K, Knox County Schools
Chris Letsos
CEO, Knox Education Foundation
Tracy Liebermann
President, Knoxville Association for Children’s Early Education (KACEE)
Lauren Longmire
Director of Regional Enhancement, Knoxville Chamber
Dave Miller
President of East Tennessee, First Horizon Bank
Lisa Rottman
General Manager of Marketing and Strategy, Stowers Machinery Corporation
Dr. Javiette Samuel
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement and Director of Community Engagement and Outreach, UTK College of Child and Family Studies
Jennifer Searle
Special Program Manager, Office of City of Knoxville Mayor
Rhonda Smithson
Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of Knox County Mayor
Daniel Watson
Knox County Board of Education and Executive Director, Restoration House
Angela Webster
Executive Director Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee
