WINTER 2003

PENCIL Honored for Excellence in Team Building“And, the winner is....”

Board of DirectorsDeVan Ard, Jr.Chairman

Sue Atkinson Vice ChairmanByron Trauger TreasurerJames S. BeardTerri BreedenKaren ChristianJohn L. Clark, Jr.Thomas ConnerCharles W. Cook, Jr.Marty G. DickensVernon H. Dixon, Jr.Robert C. FisherPedro E. GarcíaJeff GreggJames S. GulmiJames A. HefnerChristopher R. JohnsonJana A. JoustraSarah L. KnestrickPatrick Drew MadduxSteve MasieDarwin L. MasonEdmund D. McClureNancy Flatt MeadorMichael A. MoscardelliKathy NevillRobert J. ObrohtaEnrico J. Pennisi, Jr.Bill PurcellEric RogersSue SpickardLaVoneia SteeleMichael TribueCarolyn Baldwin TuckerJohn Van MolBetsy WalkupJason K. WestConnie Williams Executive Director

On the evening of November 11, nine PENCILfolks sitting at Table 64 in the RenaissanceHotel ballroom waited expectantly. Short videoclips highlighting the good works done bynine local nonprofits—all of which were finalistsfor The Frist Foundation Awards ofAchievement—were being shown to attendeesat the Salute to Excellence 2003 banquethosted by the Center for NonprofitManagement.

Adventure Science Center, CASA, Inc., andPENCIL were finalists in the category of TeamBuilding. As their three clips rolled, PENCILpeople held their breath, each awed by theeloquence, sincerity, and powerful missionscaptured on tape.

“And, The Frist Foundation Award ofAchievement for Team Building goes to . . .”A big gasp went up from Table 64 as Pete F.Bird Jr., Frist Foundation Executive Director,

announced from the stage “. . . PENCILFoundation!”

On behalf of PENCIL, Executive Director ConnieWilliams accepted the award for Math Partnersand Reading Partners—two PENCIL programsthat, since 2000, have directly impacted morethan 6,000 students by providing volunteertutors and classroom readers. The programsrecruit, train, and place community volunteerswho work directly with students identified bytheir teachers as needing additional help inmath and reading. The programs also provideon-request training and materials for anyorganization wishing to offer MNPS-approvedtutorial services in these subject areas.

“It’s a great honorfor PENCIL to berecognized for ourwork in thecommunity,” saysWilliams. “We’regrateful to The FristFoundation and toCNM for theircommitment andsupport of Nashvillenonprofits. Weshare this awardwith our volunteers,Metro educators,and partneragencies who’veensured the success

of Math and Reading Partners. PENCIL salutesfellow Team Building finalists—AdventureScience Center and CASA, Inc.—for theirnoble visions and outstanding work.”

L to R: Paul Cotton (PENCIL), Ron Rossmann (Caterpillar Financial), Cara Brown &Ann Johnston (PENCIL), Pete F. Bird (The Frist Foundation), Connie Williams (PENCIL)

MISSIONLinking community resources withNashville public schools to helpyoung people achieve academic

success and prepare for life

DONORSAs of November 17, 2003

Alcoa FoundationAmerican Color GraphicsAIG American GeneralAMJ FoundationAmSouth BankNelson AndrewsThe Ansley FundMr. & Mrs. DeVan Ard, Jr.Aspect Community Commitment Fund &

Community Foundation Silicon ValleySue Atkinson and Marvin RunyonBank of AmericaThe Bank of NashvilleBaptist HospitalBeaman AutomotiveJames BeardBellSouthBelmont UniversityRoxianne BethuneBlevins, Inc.Mimi BlissGeorge R. Blue, Jr.Julie and Frank BoehmPamela BowkerBradford FoundationLinda BramhallBraid ElectricThe Bridgestone/Firestone Trust FundWilliam J. BryanSwingley and Karen CageCaterpillar Financial Services CorporationD.F. Chase Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Sam E. ChristopherPatricia ColeComcastComcast FoundationThomas ConnerCharles W. Cook, Jr.Paul E. CottonCreative Artists Agency, Inc.Teresa CrenshawDellMr. & Mrs. Vernon S. DenneyMarty G. DickensDollar General CorporationJohn DuckworthGloria A. DumasDuPontDye, Van Mol & LawrenceLake EakinJaneen W. EdmondsonEducators Credit UnionElan-Polo, Inc.Lee FairbendJ. Dennis FennesseyFirst Tennessee BankRobert Fisher

Caterpillar is a good neighbor. Speakingin 1967, Caterpillar Board Chairman WilliamBlackie stated that Caterpillar will “try to bea good neighbor within the entire community—carrying our weight without swinging it.”

“Cities: Industry’s Role” written for a 1969issue of CATERPILLAR WORLD reinforcesBlackie’s statement: “The company hasdecided to at least ‘carry its weight’ as acommunity partner, doing what it can where

it can to help make metropolitan areas whereits people live and work better places.” Thearticle also quotes Fr. George Stacey, Rectorof Peoria’s St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church:“Industries, businesses, and churches can fillgaps in public education.” In fact, Caterpillarwas doing that by providing financial supportfor Operation Stay Out Front, a summerenrichment program for inner-city childrenorganized by the priest.

More than three decades later Caterpillarmade a multi-million dollar investment in anew Peoria zoo and gardens. Whetherinvesting in pre-school youngsters to help themgain basic knowledge needed to excel inschool or in a major civic project that enhancesthe life of the entire community, Caterpillarhas proven that it is indeed “a good neighbor”within communities. Nashville’s no exception.

Since 1998, Caterpillar Financial hassponsored Student Writers Showcase, acompetition for students that fosters excellence

Decades of InvolvementCompany invests in the betterment of people and communities

in communication. “Sponsoring this programserves us and Metro schools very well,”comments Ron Rossmann, the company’s HRmanager, “as we try to care for both thestudents and educators who are hoping toimprove learning and create future leaders.”

The company has been a PENCIL Partnerwith Wharton Arts Magnet for ten years.Principal Dorothy Gunn says, “CaterpillarFinancial is more than a PENCIL Partner with

Wharton. It’s a true friend. The company hassupported us in numerous ways over the years,such as providing incentives and volunteer tutorsto promote student achievement. Caterpillar’sbeen both Easter Bunny and Santa to ourstudents. Whether it’s welcoming and registeringstudents on First Day or administering hearingand vision tests, they’re there for us. All weneed to do is tell Caterpillar how many volunteerswe need for a given task and they providethem.” Rossmann adds, “Caterpillar Financialemployees are led by our Shared Values, whichstate among other things that ‘We are peopleof integrity who respect and care for others inour workplace and our world’. Since relocatingto Nashville in 1991, we have tried todemonstrate that we do care for others by bothvolunteerism and financial donations.”

Can there be a better partner, friend andneighbor than that? PENCIL salutes CaterpillarFinancial Services Corporation for itscommitment to the Nashville community.

1969: Peroia’s Stacey interacts with children inCaterpillar supported Operation Stay Out Front

2003: Nashville’s Rossmann addresses students,parents, and educators at Caterpillar’s Student

Writers Showcase ceremony Festival

WINTER 2003

Samuel M. Fleming FoundationChet FosterThe Frist FoundationGannett Foundation/The TennesseanDrs. Pedro E. and Priscilla GarcíaEric S. GarnerGaylord EntertainmentGEAR-UP, U.S. Department of EducationGenescoGreater Nashville Association of REALTORSGresham, Smith & PartnersMary GuidryJames GulmiHardaway GroupHCAThe HCA FoundationMr. & Mrs. Alexander HeardHecht'sHeery InternationalJames A. HefnerHeidtke & CompanyArnold HeiserNeil HemphillDenise F. HickersonStephen A. HilesAdriene HillHilton Suites Nashville DowntownKevin J. HooperSusan HutchinsClyde F. IngallsMartha and Bronson Ingram FoundationJ. Alexander'sJohn R. JeskeChris JohnsonAnn JohnstonKelvin D. Jones, IIIKraftCPAsJana JoustraRodney KingSarah L. KnestrickKenneth Larkin, Jr.Susan J. and David R. LewisDrew MadduxMarshThe Martin FoundationMrs. Jack C. MasseyPatricia L. MasseyEdmund D. McClureThe McWhorter Foundation Advised Fund of

The Commnity Foundation of Middle TennesseeNancy Flatt MeadorMr. & Mrs. Kenneth J. MelkusThe Memorial FoundationMetropolitan Nashville Airport AuthorityMid-South Wire CompanyMiddle Tennessee Society for Healthcare

Human Resources AdministrationPhyllis MooreLucille C. NaborsNashville Area Chamber of CommerceNashville Gas CompanyNational Bank of CommerceEdward G. NelsonStephen NesbittKathy NevillOdom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage

Company, Inc.Pan American ElectricStephen ParsonsBeverly Patterson

DONORS

Employers Profit from Hiring PENCIL’sJSTEP Participants

TCA Induction and Installation

continued on back

During this time ofeconomic challenges,Roger LittleJohn, StateCoordinator for theWork Opportunity TaxCredit (WOTC)program, has thepleasant task ofawarding Tennesseeemployers with taxcredits. The programworks by rewardingemployers up to

$2,400 in tax credit when they hire eligibleFamilies First recipients, including participants inPENCIL’s Job Skills Training and Employment Program(JSTEP). “The advantage for employers is twofold—tax credits and well-trained, motivated employees,”states PENCIL’s Jacquelyn Green.

“Since WOTC’s inception, Tennessee hasconsistently ranked among the top twelve states inthe nation in the amount of tax credits made

available to its employers,” comments LittleJohn.“I have had the opportunity to see the TennesseeWOTC program grow to become a nationalmodel and one in which Tennessee employerscan take advantage of maximum tax credits whileincreasing their workforce.”

JSTEP works closely with LittleJohn and his staff.“In partnership, JSTEP and WOTC have beensuccessful in placing hundreds of Families Firstrecipients in life-sustainable employment,” saysJanet King, JSTEP Program Specialist. “The PENCILstaff is committed to serving as a bridge, alongwith WOTC, between Families First clients andNashville employers. We are also dedicated tohelping people reach their goal of self-sufficiency.This is a real win-win situation for both our clientsand their employers.”

For more information about hiring JSTEP participants,employers may contact Ms. Green, JSTEP Director,at 242-3167 x 259.

At Cheekwood’s Frist Learning Center on November 14, seniors from PENCIL’s Jobs for TennesseeGraduates were initiated and officers installed into the student-led Tennessee Career Association. The150 students who attended the ceremony are Antioch, Glencliff, Pearl-Cohn and Whites Creek seniors.They were accompanied by Job Specialists Rhonda Warren, Angela Gist, Phyllis Moore, and KathleenBunt. All JTG sites are represented in the TCA with a president, secretary, and four coordinators.

Officers installed at the Cheekwood ceremony:

Carmen Sparkman, JTG Program Director: “Icongratulate all new TCA members and officersand commend them for their hard work and desireto excel. On behalf of the students and jobspecialists, I thank Cheekwood for hosting theevent and its Director of Education, Ms. MaryGrissom, for helping coordinate it for PENCIL.”

Other TCA ceremonies are also held at HuntersLane, Maplewood, McGavock, Renaissance, andStratford.

2003-2004 TCA Officers from Antioch, Glencliff, Pearl-Cohn,and Whites Creek

Roger LittleJohn, WOTC SateCoordinator, shares JSTEP’s

commitment to Families First clientsand their employers.

School President Secretary Career Civic Leadership SocialPreparation Awareness Development AwarenessCoordinator Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator

Antioch Darryl Cane Jamiya Gilmore Michael McEwen J.J. Perry La’Tonya Perkins Natasha PopeGlencliff Kerri Beddingfield Remicia Brown Meoshia Battle Alfred Moore Tara Green Marcel BurnettPearl-Cohn Fredrickus Brodie Lauren Hooten Eric Cox Nichole Williams Latoyisha Rucker Tacarra CunninghamWhites Creek Monique Bowers Jacquencee Finch Daniel Patton Artra McNeil Maurico Tuggle Makia Dardy

“Best Practices” Benefit Stratford Faculty and Studentsby Janet Szczypien et al

Holiday Greetings

As Frist Foundation Educator Awards recipients fromStratford High, we attended the Kagan Institute inOrlando last July. We received training in CooperativeLearning, Multiple Intelligences, and Brain-BasedTeaching. Our experience renewed our enthusiasm forteaching.

We learned the latest "Best Practices". Institute leadersmodeled cooperative learning and involved us in activitiesthat demonstrated the practical use of Dr. SpencerKagan’s steps (“structures”) that promote team building,class building, productive thinking, content mastery,effective communication, and information sharing.

We also learned how to recognize different studentlearning styles. Harvard’s Howard Gardner identifieseight intelligences: verbal, mathematical, spatial,kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intra-personal, andnaturalistic. His view of intelligences directly impactsthe way we now teach. Our training showed us howto implement a curriculum that reaches all eightintelligences. It provided us with methods that allowstudents to demonstrate mastery using dominantintelligences.

Brain-Based Teaching, we discovered, centers upon fiveprinciples. The brain 1) needs safety, 2) needs

nourishment, 3) is social, 4) is emotional, and 5) seeksand processes information. Our study of these principleshas guided us in increasing motivation andcomprehension.

We’ve conducted in-service training for our faculty asjust one of the many results of our summer study experience.Through us, our Stratford colleagues have learned methodsfor increasing teacher effectiveness, enriching the learningexperience, and improving student achievement.

This year, I’ll be hosting a holiday dinner for my in-laws for the first time. This dinner has been mymother-in-law’s gift to the family for many years; but, this year, her health has persuaded her to passthe tradition to me.

My first step was to call a friend last week to ask for a recipe for cornbread dressing, a southernstaple that my own mother made for us each year. My friend passed along the basics of day-oldcornbread, broth, onions and celery, and seasonings, but she also shared a story that made me smile.

She’d read a story once about a child who came back to school after the holidays, eager to sharewhat he had experienced. He told his teacher about the toys he received from Santa, about a visitfrom his grandparents, about building a snowman, and about his holiday meal. “I didn’t much like theturkey,” he said, “but I really liked the bread it had eaten.”

I’m hoping the children at my table during this holiday season will like the “bread that the turkey ate”.I’m also hoping that this year, I can see the wonders of the season through a child’s eyes.

Whatever festival or festivals you celebrate at this season — Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, orthe Solstice— PENCIL’s wish for each of you is the same. May you experience the holidayswith the love, perception, freedom, enthusiasm, and humor of childhood.

Wishing you peace and joy at this holiday season and in the coming year.

Executive Director, PENCIL Foundation

Executive DirectorWilliams

L to R: Brenda Elliot, Dr. Spencer Kagan, Michele Willis, JasonSmith, Jeanne Vaughn, Melissa Fultz, Janet Szczypien

David Allison Bellevue CenterGene Angle Union Planters BankElizabeth Baggerly KrogerHolly Beacj StaplesRon Bell Caterpillar Financial ServicesDanny Boykin U.S. Postal ServiceRichard Buck First InvestorsBilly Carroll Irving Materials, Inc.Roberto Ciuffo Tennessee Performing Arts CenterRuth Cox Trevecca UniversitySophia Crawford Davidson County Juvenile CourtMargaret Dolan Ingram Industries, Inc.Mark Drury DellDavid Ewing Gaylord Opryland Resort &

Convention CenterJan Flowers Dollar GeneralDavid Gibson KrogerJeff Gregg Creative Artists Agency, Inc.Willie Halaiburton Davidson County Juvenile CourtDaron Hall Davidson County Sheriff’s DepartmentRobert Hardin Baptist HospitalTroy Haydel Vulcan MaterialsClancy Hayes Wal-MartAndrea Hoffman Skyline Medical CenterPeggy Holt Sam’s ClubLeslie Hubbell Nashville GasTeresa Hyman KrogerElizabeth Knox Bank of AmericaRon Lawrence Skyline Medical CenterAdam Levitt T-Mobile USA, Inc.Mark Libby Beacon TechnologiesThomas Lin Sam’s ClubVic Lineweaver Davidson County Juvenile CourtJay Lowenthal Greater Nashville Association

of REALTORSPatrick McKenna TurfCare of NashvilleDebbie Miller HCAMichael Mills Vulcan MaterialsDennis Mitchell First Tennessee BankBetsy Moore Davidson County Juvenile CourtGuy Morgan Coca-Cola Bottling CompanyLamar Morgan Nashville GasSeth Norman Davidson County CourtKim O’Neil Dana CorporationRosemary Pennington Trevecca TowersRic Pennisi MarshJon Perry Gresham, Smith & PartnersKeith Phillips PublixRon Pierce EnsafeKathy Sager BellSouthMarcy Singer-Gabella Vanderbilt UniversityEddie Smith White Castle, Inc.Faye Smith Tennessee Urgent CareToni St. Phillip 100 Oaks MallDoug Stanley Office DepotGary Stewart Federal Reserve BankPaige Trivett Dye, Van Mol & LawrenceSeab Tuck Tuck Hinton ArchitectsJudy Ursery Wal-MartTodd Williams Tennessee TitansTerri Woods City Limits Bakery

Thanks, Ms. Hughes, for yourkindness!

Volunteer applies for and receives grant on behalf of PENCIL.

I’m a PENCIL volunteer atJ.E. Moss Elementary. Asan employee of Shop atHome, I was encouragedto participate in the ScrippsHoward Foundation’s“Volunteer Grant Program”that assists nonprofits. Iapplied for and got a grantto help PENCIL’s ReadingPartners. I believe stronglyin this program because Isee results—studentenjoyment of reading andyoung readers eager tocontinue learning.— Karla Hughes

PENCIL Volunteer Karla Hughes (L) withReading Partners Director Ann Johnston

Survey ConfirmsPartners Address School Needs

Last spring, PENCIL developed a questionnaire for MNPS principals. Thefirst question: “What are your school’s three greatest needs?” Chart I depictsthe top three needs as identified by 82 surveyed principals.

A survey of PENCIL Partners was conducted at the end of the academicyear. Chart 2 depicts the top three areas of contributions made to Metroschools.

PENCIL Salutes“Principal for a Day”Partner Participants

79%

62%

47%

In-KindDonations

VolunteerTime

FinancialSupport

CHART 2: PARTNERS SUPPORT

67%

44%

20%

Mentors & Tutors

Facility Needs, Materials,Equipment & Supplies

Other Volunteer Needs

CHART 1: TOP 3 SCHOOL NEEDS

DONORS

Job Skills Training & Employment ProgramJob Fair

PENCIL ....................................................March 25PENCIL Board of Directors

Board MeetingAmSouth Bank..........................................March 26

Saint Thomas Science ScholarsLearning Session V: Oncology

Saint Thomas Hospital .................................March 27Frist Foundation Educator AwardsInterview of Award Candidates

The Frist Foundation.....................................April 6, 7Saint Thomas Science Scholars

Learning Session IV: The Immune SystemSaint Thomas Hospital.....................................April 17

Caterpillar Student Writers ShowcaseAwards Ceremony for Student Writers in Grades 3-8Glencliff High School......................................April 21

Caterpillar Student Writers ShowcaseAwards Luncheon for Student Writers in Grades 9-12Tennessee State University................................April 22

Job Skills Training & Employment ProgramJob Fair

PENCIL .................................................April 29PENCIL Foundation

SPRING CELEBRATION 2004Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center..........May 7

Frist Foundation Educator AwardsReception for Award Recipients

First Tennessee Bank........................................May 13Job Skills Training & Employment Program

Job FairPENCIL.........................................................May 27

PENCIL Board of DirectorsBoard Meeting

AmSouth Bank................................................June 18Job Skills Training & Employment Program

Job FairPENCIL.........................................................June 24

Reading PartnersVolunteer Training

PENCIL ......................................December 3, 11Math Partners

Volunteer TrainingPENCIL ...........................................December 11, 18

Job Skills Training & Employment ProgramEmployer Appreciation

PENCIL ...............................................December 18PENCIL Board of Directors

Board MeetingAmSouth Bank.....................................December 19

Reading PartnersVolunteer Training

PENCIL...............................January 7, 15, 21, 29Math Partners

Volunteer TrainingPENCIL.......................................January 8, 15, 22

Saint Thomas Science ScholarsLearning Session III: The Heart

Saint Thomas Hospital............................January 17Frist Foundation Educator AwardsSymposium for 2003 Recipients

First Tennessee Bank ..................................January 20Frist Foundation Educator Awards

Application DeadlinePENCIL ..................................................January 23

Job Skills Training & Employment ProgramJob Fair

PENCIL .................................................January 29Saint Thomas Science Scholars

Learning Session IV: The BrainSaint Thomas Hospital.............................February 21

Job Skills Training & Employment ProgramJob Fair

PENCIL.................................................February 26Caterpillar Student Writers Showcase

Deadline for Contest CompetitionPENCIL ......................................................March 5

NonprofitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDNashville, TNPermit #285

Calendar of Events

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

For information aboutvolunteer opportunities withPENCIL Foundation, please

call Nikki Troutman at242-3167 x 231

or visit www.pencilfd.org.

Enrico J. Pennisi, Jr.Permanent General CompaniesThe Pfeffer FoundationBarbara PotterPrimeTrust BankPublix Super Markets CharitiesThe Honorable Bill PurcellPurity Dairies, Inc.Purity FoundationFloyd Reese, Jr.Jim and Kim RiceRobert Orr--SYSCORockefeller FoundationEric RogersRogers Group, Inc.Laura W. RossSaint Thomas HospitalSam’s ClubLance A. Schulters FoundationNancy Marie SchwartzVicki ShawShop at Home/Scripps Howard FoundationSmith Seckman Reid, Inc.SouthTrust BankSouthwest AirlinesSouthwestern/Great American, Inc.Karen SpacekSue SpickardJames W. Spradley, Jr.State Farm InsuranceLaVoneia SteeleSunTrust BankEarl Swensson AssociatesAndrew G. TaTennessee Department of EducationTennessee Department of Human ServicesTennessee Department of Labor & Workforce

DevelopmentTennessee State UniversityTennessee Teachers Credit UnionTennessee TitansTennessee Valley AuthorityByron TraugerMichael TribueTriStar Health SystemUnion Planters BankUnited Way of Metropolitan NashvilleU.S. BankVanderbilt University & Medical CenterVisteon--Nashville Glass PlantSondra WalkerBetsy WalkupWashington FoundationBetty & Bernard Werthan FoundationJason WestWhirlpool FoundationEd and Connie WilliamsMr. & Mrs. Donald R. WilliamsonBlair WilsonYoung Leaders CouncilShirley ZeitlinRaymond & Etta Zimmerman Advisory Fund