Ambassador for Education Program

Are you tired of hearing negative, unsubstantiated and uninformed comments about public schools? The TSBA Ambassador for Education Program, a community outreach effort, provides an opportunity for school board members in Tennessee to increase public awareness and understanding of current public education issues facing our communities, state and nation. TSBA Ambassadors for Education speak to local Chambers of Commerce, Rotaries, parent-teacher groups, churches, and other organizations about public education and the issues facing their local schools. Ambassadors also get their message out via the local media, through television talk shows, community radio programs, columns, and meetings with newspaper editorial boards.

Let's do something to spread the good news about our schools and our students. Together, county by county and city by city, we can make a difference!

PURPOSE

The TSBA Ambassador for Education Program is developed by the Tennessee School Boards Association to build greater public confidence in Tennessee’s public schools and better educate the public about public education. The program is established as a community outreach program assisting local school board members in increasing public awareness and understanding of issues facing our communities, state and nation.

ELIGIBILITY

  1. Must complete application form and send to TSBA.
  2. Ambassadors shall have served on their local boards of education for at least one (1) year.

SELECTION OF AMBASSADORS

Ambassadors shall be appointed by the President to one (1) year terms.

RESPONSIBILTIES OF AMBASSADORS

  1. Ambassadors must complete five presentations and submit documentation of such to the TSBA Director of Communications prior to Oct. 1 of each year in order to be invited to the November Ambassador Training Session. Attendance at this session is required to retain Ambassador status for the following year.
  2. All Ambassadors completing at least five presentations during the year will be recognized with a Silver Pin at the TSBA Annual Convention and be designated Certified Ambassadors for the following year. This pin may be earned annually.
  3. All Ambassadors who complete at least 10 presentations during a year will receive a Gold Pin at the TSBA Annual Convention and be designated Master Ambassadors for the following year. This pin may be earned annually.
  4. The Ambassador who completes the highest number of verified presentations during the year from October 1 through September 30 each year will be recognized with a plaque at the annual TSBA Convention for their efforts to promote public education. This honor will be known as the Premier Ambassador Award.
  5. Ambassadors who conduct a cumulative total of 25 presentations during their career in the Ambassador Program shall be recognized with a Platinum Pin denoting their achievement at the TSBA Annual Convention following the reaching of this level. The title of Platinum Ambassador is continuing as long as the individual meets minimum annual requirements for serving as an Asmbassador. This pin may be earned once.
  6. Ambassadors who conduct a cumulative total of 50 presentations during their career in the Ambassador Program shall be recognized with a Diamond Pin denoting their achievement at the TSBA Annual Convention following the reaching of this level. The title of Diamond Ambassador is continuing as long as the individual meets minimum annual requirements for serving as an Ambassador. This pin may be earned once.

APPROVED COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

Acceptable community outreach activities include, but are not limited to, presentations to community groups, participation in radio, television or other media programs; and published editorials/letters to the editor.

For more information, please contact TSBA at 800-448-6465.

Ambassador Materials: