Another year of consulting has gone by very fast. I have gained clients throughout Tennessee and again have enjoyed working with them very much.

I was able to get most of my clients funded in the first five waves which helps them to budget their purchases in a more timely manner.

This past year was full of changes due to the Sixth Order but so far we all seem to have survived. The funding forecast appears to be less for Year 2010 but perhaps more funds will be found.

This past year I presented at the State TETC Conference in Nashville and at the Summer Institute of TETA. I appreciate the interest shown by district for these presentations. I will most likely present again at the TETC Conference in December. Hope to see you there. Hope you all have a good start of school and an even better Year 2011-2012.

Swope Educational Consulting

I have just finished my first year as a consultant. It has been a very exciting and learning experience. The erate filings for the systems have gone well and all are just awaiting funding. I found that my involvement also helped them put into place procedures which will make next year's filings much easier.

I very much enjoyed the variety of assistance I was able to give systems. Some needed a little help and some needed a lot. I enjoy working at any level since I feel so strongly that I am still ultimately make a difference for the education of their students and students must come first!

Thanks to the systems which used me this year and I hope to have some additional systems next year. Hope everyone has a good Summer!

May, 2010

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This blog space will be used to provide information about my newly formed educational consulting firm. After 26 years of working in the education field, I have decided to go it alone and hopefully will be able to help school districts throughout Tennessee.

My specialties will be in the field of E-Rate and AYP. For the last 12 years my experience in E-Rate covered all aspects from the filing of forms for my district to the successful completion of a full audit from the SLD. My district was successful in obtaining over $3.5 million.

Hopefully I can guide school districts to obtain the funds available to them for a nominal fee. Some are afraid of E-Rate but it really is a means to help school districts with badly needed finances.

I will also have a person working with me whom I consider to be an expert in AYP. We will help districts to better understand their stats and help them gain insight into ways to get "off the list" or to keep from "getting on the list".

Below is information about my trail through these past 26 years. I feel that my varied experiences in the field of education will help me to understand the needs of districts.

EXPERIENCE:

1999–2009 - Technology Coordinator for Haywood County Schools (99-06) Part-time Technology Coordinator (120 days per year) for Haywood County Schools (07-09)

Trained new full-time Technology Coordinator for system

Responsible for all filings under the E-Rate program. Successful in obtaining over $3.5 million dollars in E-Rate funds for system over 11 years. Successful passed a random audit with no errors by SLD of participation in E-Rate program.

Worked closely with Director of Schools on AYP statistics, preliminary reports, State reports, graduation rate requirements, and compiling statistics in various data areas needed by the Director of Schools or others in the system

Responsible for student management (Horizon and SASI). Compiled all reports to State, trained new users, provided support for seven schools including scheduling of students

Responsible for all activities of Technology Coordinator required by the State of Tennessee

Trained staff and teachers on various uses of technology Supervised the upgrading of the infrastructure within all schools to enable information to be easily shared throughout the System

Supervised technician for system and contract network personnel

Member of system TCSPP team required by State with an approved plan

Coordinator of Title IID funds for technology

Wrote and managed various grants from State of Tennessee for teachers, schools and system

Active member and served as treasurer and president of West Tennessee Educational Technology Association (WTETA)

Served as a board member and treasurer of Tennessee Educational Technology Association (TETA)

1994-1999 - Vocational Office Education Teacher, Haywood County Schools, Brownsville, Tennessee Taught software tools, spreadsheet, word processing, keyboarding, telecommunications and office technology for grades 9-12

1993-1994 - Self employed K-12 educational technology trainer and consultant in Tennessee and Mississippi, major portion of work with IBM

1986–1993 - Technology Coordinator, Jackson-Madison County School System, Jackson, Tennessee

Responsible for technology committee and five-year technology planning

Advisor for all purchases of technology in regular education, special education, Title, vocational education and administration

Designed procedures, implemented, and supervised computerized administrative software in all schools for attendance, discipline, grading, accounting and also additional software to manage bus transportation

Coordinated activities to successfully move student data within system to consolidate county and city school systems

1983-1986 - Madison County School System, Jackson, Tennessee Teacher of Data Processing and Interim Vocational Director

EDUCATION:

Completed 45 hours above M.Ed. Degree, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee (1992)

M.Ed. Degree, Administration and Supervision, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee (1989)

Valid Tennessee Teaching Certificate with endorsements in all business subjects, math, economics, 9-12 Supervisor of Instruction, Attendance Supervisor and Superintendent

B.S. Degree, Accounting/Business Administration, minor in Secondary Education, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee (1980)

If this info has you interested in talking about E-Rate or AYP, please contact me:

Linda Swope

42 Overlook Cove

Jackson, TN 38305

731-431-0712

swopels@charter.net