TAA in Action

Erica Holmes Darr encourages us to "take a breath" and explore how building community can make meaningful change in our creative spaces! Erica is a passionate and dedicated music educator who began her teaching career in 2003 after earning a degree in Vocal Music Education from Austin Peay State University. Throughout her career, Darr has taught a wide range of music classes to students in grades 5-12, and currently serves as the 7th and 8th grade chorus teacher at Freedom Middle School in Franklin, TN, where she also instructs general music classes that include guitar, percussion, songwriting, and music production. In addition to her classroom duties, Darr is the music director for the FMS Drama program, overseeing musical productions and enriching students' theatrical experiences. Most recently, Darr was honored as the Freedom Middle School Teacher of the Year for the Franklin Special District, a recognition of her commitment to fostering musical talent and inspiring her students.

David Reynolds, TAA visual art facilitator, shares how art gives students "life tools" that can help them create a better world. He also gives some really great advice for new and pre-service teachers! David has taught for twelve years and is currently the elementary visual arts teacher at Moore Elementary in the Franklin Special Schools District in Franklin, Tennessee. He serves as Commissioner for the City of Franklin Public Arts Commission, Association Representative for his district with the Tennessee Education Association, and as a Tennessee Arts Academy facilitator. David has given presentations at the national and state level, and received the Distinguished Service to the Profession Award from the Tennessee Art Education Association in 2021. His classroom work is centered around acceptance and creativity.

Darlene Tanner, one of our West TN Regional Representatives for the TAA Alumni Association, encourages us to unlock the power of choice in fine arts classes!  She is a visual art educator who teaches K-5th Grades at University School of Jackson in Jackson, TN.  Born to missionary parents, she grew up in Japan, and her journey led her to Tennessee where she studied art at Union University.  She and her husband David have raised three children and a llama business, served as Master Gardeners in their community, and built a geodesic dome!

Michelle Tripp, TAA Alumni Association Middle TN Regional Representative, reflects on the power of theatre education and shares some fruitful finds that make performances easier for directors in 2022! Michelle grew up in the Middle Tennessee area and now lives in Murfreesboro. She will begin her 25th year of teaching this upcoming school year and has taught theatre, film, and speech at Page High School in Franklin for the past 14 years. When she is not directing a school or community theatre production, she enjoys spending time with her family and experimenting in the kitchen on new dishes.

William Bodley, Jr., TAA Alumni Association West TN Regional Representative, reflects on the 2021-2022 school year, and shares with us what strategies he's keeping and which ones he's letting go. William has served as the band director at Treadwell Middle School in Memphis, Tennessee for nine years. Originally from Mobile, AL, he attended Alabama A&M University and continued his education at the University of Memphis studying saxophone. After volunteering at middle and high schools during his time as a performance major, he realized he loved teaching and decided to plant roots in Memphis as an educator. William is also a saxophonist in the 129th Army Band.