The Rev. Althea Greene was excited and charged up by her appointment to the vacant Dist. 2 slot on the Shelby County Schools Board Monday. After the unanimous Shelby County Commission vote in her favor, Greene said she thinks her experiences as a teacher will add a different perspective to the school board.
“It’s been my dream to serve on the school board,” said Greene, a former educator who now pastors Real Life Ministries. “ I have a job ahead of me and I’m excited to do it. … I am dedicated to being a voice for the students.”
Greene now fills seat that Teresa Jones vacated following her recent appointment as a municipal court judge. The appointment is until the term expires in August 2020.
Since the board has no other teachers, Greene said she will be bringing a fresh perspective to decision-making process regarding education issues. She retired from Snowden Elementary School in 2018 after 38 years of teaching there and at five other schools.
Regarding issues that come before the school board, “I will be able to say I worked there. I did that,” she said.
“This doesn’t work. This program, I don’t think is a good program…So, I think bringing in my expertise, my managerial skills will help make the school board even stronger.”
Greene is looking forward to working with interim Supt. Joris Ray and plans to be a strong advocate for youth and the community.
“I serve on the mayor’s Youth Guidance Commission,” she said. “I’m very engaged in the community and am trying to be a part of the things we provide for our youth. It’s all about the children.”
Greene said she has already made up her mind to run for a full term on the board after 2020.
“I wouldn’t take a job without being committed to it,” she said.
Greene won over three other candidates who were under consideration Monday, including Tyree Daniels, who withdrew his candidacy after questions arose about whether he lived in District 2.
On the first round of voting Greene received nine votes to three votes for Charles McKinney, the Neville Frierson Bryan Chair of Africana Studies and associate professor of history at Rhodes College. Those three commissioners changed their votes to make the selection of Greene unanimous.
IN OTHER ACTION
- The commission adopted a resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Tami Sawyer, honoring the first five African-American women to serve as Shelby County Commissioners. They were Minerva Johnican, Diedre Malone, Edith Moore, Bridget Chisholm and Henri Brooks.
- The commission also adopted a proclamation honoring the life and legacy of legendary Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Coach Jerry C. Johnson, who served for 46 years as basketball coach at LeMoyne-Owen College. He will turn 101 in June.
- The commission passed a proclamation recognizing Robert R. Church Sr. for his heroism in the face of adversity, his business acumen, political savvy, philanthropy and enduring contributions to Memphis and Shelby County. Church was a well known businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist in Memphis in the civil war and reconstruction era. He was then called the first African American millionaire in the south.
- The commission also embraced a resolution honoring Memphis 901 FC, Memphis’ Professional Soccer Team.
