Our Qualifications
Mark Finchum

Education:
BS, Communications, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
MS, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Ph.D., Social Studies Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Retired Social Studies teacher with 33 years of experience 

Awards:
Middle School Teacher of the Year, Jefferson County
Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award, Jefferson County
Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Award, Tennessee Council for the Social Studies
Sequoyah Award, East Tennessee Indian League
American History Teacher of the Year, Andrew Bogle Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Tennessee's American History Teacher of the Year, State DAR Award                                                                                                  
Eagle Award, Tennessee Eagle Awards Committee
Award of Distinction, East Tennessee Historical Society for Treaty of the Holston program at James White's Fort
Award of Distinction, East Tennessee Historical Society for Cherokee Culture, Up Close and Personal Workshop, TCSS
2014 Inductee, Jefferson County Historical Society Hall of Fame
Membership:
Past President and current Executive Director, Tennessee Council for the Social Studies (TCSS)
Past board member, National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Founder and Chair, "Indigenous Education" NCSS Community
Past member, Tennessee History Day Advisory Committee                                                                                                             
Past President and Program Chair, Jefferson County Historical Society
Member, Tennessee Geographic Alliance
Honor Wall, National Museum of the American Indian
Deacon, 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 
Sons of the Revolution
Civil War Families of Tennessee
First Families of Tennessee

Native Activities:
Co-Founder, Indian Creek Productions, Inc. and Spirit of Nations Powwow
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, "Indigenous Education" 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
Cast Member, Fort Loudoun, "Forsaken by God and Man", Nolichucky Pictures
Consultant, Sycamore Shoals Museum
Consultant, "Liberty!", official outdoor drama of Tennessee
Consultant, Natural Tunnel State Park Vistors' Center
Consultant, "Tanasi:1796"
Consultant, Native Nations Native Voices teacher toolkit, Library of Congress
Consultant, various textbook publishers
Content Specialist, Journalism in Action, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
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
Retired Director of Federal Programs, Elementary Education, and Accountability, Jefferson County Schools
Former Chairperson, Jefferson County kindergarten teachers
Mother of three children and 3 grandchildren
19 years teaching experience plus 18 years educational administration
Certified DAR Genealogy Consultant

Awards:
Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Jefferson County
Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Award, TCSS
Member of the Year, East Tennessee Indian League, Inc.
Award of Distinction, East Tennessee Historical Society for Treaty of the Holston program at James White's Fort
Award of Distinction, East Tennessee Historical Society for Cherokee Culture, Up Close and Personal Workshop, TCSS
Administrator of the Year Award, 2014 Jefferson County Education Association

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
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
Civil War Families of Tennessee 
Jefferson County Historical Society
Past Chairman, Supervisors Study Council, East Region 
Past Building Representative for Jefferson County Education Association 

Native Activities:
Co-Founder, Indian Creek Productions, Inc. and Spirit of Nations Powwow
Cherokee Genealogy Conference Presenter   
Spirit of Nations Powwow, Vendor Chair
Partcipant, Native Nations Procession, Opening of National Museum of the American Indian
Former Chair, East Tennessee 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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