“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”

-- Rita Pierson     

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Taylor is an Early Childhood professional with over 8 years of experience in the field.  She began her career in Florida as an Infant/Toddler Specialist teaching Early Head Start Students in the classroom. After moving to Nashville, Taylor worked as Mental Health/Behavior Intervention Specialist supporting Metro Action Commission Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. Currently, Taylor works at TN Voices, a mental health non-profit located in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. In her current role, Taylor serves as the Ready Set Grow! Program Manager for Middle and East Tennessee. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a M.Ed in Applied Behavior Analysis.  When she is not working, Taylor enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family!

"If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours."

-- Dolly Parton        

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Tracy has served in the field of social services and early education since 1998.  Currently, she serves as the Deputy Program Officer of Signal Centers, serves as Past President of the Chattanooga Association of Children's Early Education, and has served as the TACEE Secretary for the last two years.

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When she's not working, Tracy enjoys outdoor activities, reading and spending time with her almost 17-year-old son, husband and family.  

"There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind."

-- Fred Rogers      

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Melissa Joiner, a native of Memphis, is a life-long children's advocate. She holds a Bachelors in Professional Studies [Child Development] from the University of Memphis. Joiner has a broad 15 year career in early childhood education and has become a leading voice in the field. Currently, she serves as the West Tennessee Leadership Advisor at Tennessee State University under the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance grant. In addition to child advocacy, Joiner spends her time raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease by working with her local Alzheimer’s Association.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

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Leah Mangrum is a Small Business Support Specialist with TN Child Care Resource & Referral where she provides coaching and training to prospective and existing childcare owners and directors in the Central and Mid-Cumberland regions. Her passion for leadership development and growth in the profession grew exponentially during her experience as a director of a licensed childcare agency in Nashville, though she has held a variety of roles in early childhood education over the past two decades. Leah has contributed to the profession in recent years by serving on the Executive Board as Treasurer of NAAEYC and has been fulfilling the role of Treasurer of TACEE since January 2023. Outside of ECE, Leah enjoys exercising and traveling with family and friends. 

"Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place

where there is not noise, trouble, or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

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Sabra Marshall has been serving children and their families for over 22 years.  She currently works at Chattanooga State Community College Child Development Center as the Director.  She has a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Covenant College University.  She has served as the president of Chattanooga Association for Children’s Early Education (ChACEE) from 2016-2018.  Before that, she served on the board for 8 years in many different capacities.  She also co-chaired local and state conferences for TACEE in 2014.  Sabra has created workshops for local directors and trained teachers with new and exciting ideas.  She enjoys the culture and connections that ECE brings with it.   Educating and learning from others is her inspiration.

"Never stop learning."

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Growing up in Upper East Tennessee provided me with the gift of being able to appreciate the simple joys of childhood like running to catch fireflies and watching with amazement as the garden grows from tiny seeds. During my time at East Tennessee State University, I worked in infant and toddler classrooms while I studied Early Childhood Education. After graduation, I began teaching in an elementary school in Kingsport, TN where I truly learned what it means to be an advocate for the whole child. I received my Master’s in Education from ETSU in 2020. After six and a half years in the classroom, I set out on a new adventure with Tech Goes Home TN, becoming a technology coach to assist educators in improving their professional practice and lives by feeling more confident in their digital skills. Currently, I work as the East Tennessee Field Coordinator, training others on how to lead technology classes for both early childhood educators and older adults.