Our Qualifications
Mark Finchum

Education:
BS, Communications, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
MS, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Social Studies teacher with 23 years of experience
Currently doctoral candidate, Social Science Education, UTK College of Education

Awards:
Middle School Teacher of the Year, Jefferson County
Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award, Jefferson County
Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Award, TCSS
Sequoyah Award, East TN Indian League
American History Teacher of the Year, Andrew Bogle Chapter, DAR
Tennessee's American History Teacher of the Year, State DAR Award                                                                                                   Eagle Award, Tennessee Eagle Awards Committee

Membership:
Past president and current board member, Tennessee Council for the Social Studies
Past board member, National Council for the Social Studies
Founder, "Teaching American Indian History, Culture, and Current Events" NCSS Community
Past member, Tennessee History Day Advisory Committee                                                                                                              President and Program Chair, Jefferson County Historical Society
Active member, New Market Baptist Church
Past board member and former Vice-President, Governor John Sevier Memorial Association
Past member, Advisory Board, James White Fort
Past member, Volunteer Landing Living History Task Force
Past member, Advisory Board, WBIR Television 

Native Activities:
Founder, East Tennessee Indian League, Inc.
Past member, Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
Walked "Great Indian Warpath" across East Tennessee
Participant, Cherokee History and Culture Institute, Museum of the Cherokee Indian                                                             Participant, Cherokee Nation History Class
Participant, Native Nations Procession, Opening of National Museum of the American Indian
Founder, "Teaching American Indian History, Culture, and Current Events" community (NCSS)
Guest Editor, American Indian theme issue, "Social Studies and the Young Learner" (NCSS)
Published Author, "Social Studies and the Young Learner," and Tennessee Associaton of Middle Schools journal
Received name in ceremony with Elder, Richard Crowe on the Oconaluftee River
Cherokee Name: di-de-yo-hv-s-gi  no-le  ga-wo-ni  s-gi
(English Translation: Teacher and Storyteller)

 Sherry S. Finchum

Education:
BS, Home Economics Education, Carson Newman College
MS, Educational Administration, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kindergarten/Elementary Certification, ETSU, Johnson City
Director of Accountability and Pre-K - 5 Curriculum, Jefferson County Schools
Former Chairperson, Jefferson County kindergarten teachers
Mother of three children
22 years teaching experience

Awards:
Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Jefferson County
Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Award, TCSS
Member of the Year, East TN Indian League

Membership:
Past-President, Greene County Education Association
Active member, New Market Baptist Church
Smoky Mountain Historical Society
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Served on Jefferson County Schools Curriculum Committee

Native Activities:
Cherokee Genealogy Conference Presenter                                                                                                                                               Participant, Native Nations Procession, Opening of National Museum of the American Indian
Former Chair, East TN Indian League Kids' Day Powwow
Received name in ceremony with Elder, Richard Crowe, on the Oconaluftee River
Cherokee Name: tsu-la  a-di-si
(English Translation: Running Fox)

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