Sue Was Long Time Federal Programs Directors And Began Career as Kindergarten Teacher

July 8, 2022

Dayton, TN -- Sue Brown retired in 2022 after 51 years with the Rhea County Department of Education Since 1986 she was involved with Federal Programs, first as Federal Programs Coordinator. In 1992, she took over as Program Director for Federal Programs, which was directly tied to federal money for school in relation to proper fulfilling of requirements for Title 1,2,3, 5 and 10. For the first 15 years of her career, she was a kindergarten teacher at Walden's Ridge Elementary on Dayton Mountain. . She began teaching kindergarten when the program was still in the voluntary stage.

Sue was born in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee on May 10 1948. She grew up in Pikeville Tennessee where her parents, Dennis and Marie Lee ran a store called "Lee's Cash Store" from 1948 until in the 1980's. Sue used to work in the store growing up. She went on to school at Pikeville Elementary and Bledsoe High School and upon graduation in 1966, she went to college at University of Tennessee at Knoxville until her graduation in 1971. Sue earned a Bachelor's Degree in Vocation Home Economics and went on to earn a Masters Degree and a Plus 45 Degree(45 credits beyond a Master's Degree) in Early Childhood Development over the next few years as she worked at Walden's Ridge Elementary School.

After graduation, she married her husband David Brown in 1971. They meet years before but were just acquaintances as David lived in Dayton, Tennessee and Sue lived in Pikeville. At College, the became friends and that friendship led to marriage. They moved to Dayton and both initially went to work as teachers. David taught at Graysville Elementary for two years and at Rhea Central for one year. Sue taught at Walden's Ridge Elementary. David took a job with La-Z-Boy in 1973 and worked there until his retirement after 32 years at La-Z-Boy in 2005. He and several friends were in the initial hiring at La-Z-Boy. Some of those included Allen Kelly and George Arnold.

Sue taught kindergarten for 15 years at Walden's Ridge and then took a job in the Rhea County Central Office as Federal Programs Coordinator in 1986. She worked as coordinator until 1992 when the Federal Programs Director position became open. She worked as Federal Programs Director until her retirement in 2022. Sue was employed in the Rhea County System for 51 years.

Sue was responsible for writing up applications for Federal Aid for the Rhea County School System for several areas under several areas that were categorized today at Title 1, 2, 3, 5 and 9. Title 1 is centered around improving academic achievement of the disadvantaged. Title 2 is centered around Principal and Teacher Training and Recruiting Fund. Title 3 is focused on language instruction for limited English proficient and immigrant students. Title 5 is concerned with Use of funds for RLIS and SRSA programs. RLIS is Rural Low-Income School Program. SRSA is the Small Rural School Achievement Program. Title 9 is Homeless Education Program. This program helps to ensure each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education as provided to other children and youth. Sue was involved with these programs.

One of the programs that Sue worked with as Federal Programs Director were the Homeless Transition Program for students who are in need of transitional housing. The program also provided food, medical and eyeglass for those in need. The Wee Care organization also worked to provide need for students.

During her time, Sue saw tremendous growth in the school system and in the Federal Program System. She was also proud of the Character Education Program that started under her watch. This program is still in place today and honors students for character traits and program prints out posters to be distributed throughout the county schools. The nine character traits are celebrated one per month with respect, responsibility, perseverance, caring, self-discipline, citizenship, honesty, courage and fairness. Students are selected each month at each of county schools for these traits, during the nine months of school. At the end of the year an overall winner is selected for the year in each category.

Sue remembers fondly her time as Kindergarten teacher and enjoyed the flexibility to watch the children grow into children ready for learning as they entered the first grade. That program has changed over the years with many more learning requirements for kindergarten children before they reach the first grade.

When asked what traits are most necessary for a young teacher, she said, "Self-discipline and responsibility. These will make for better teacher. Of course. there are many traits necessary for becoming a good teacher."

Sue and her husband David are retired and living in Dayton in the Frazier area. They had one son, David, who works at Southeast Bank in Chattanooga. They also have two grandchildren.