“I would replace the quality of sincerity with honesty, since one can hold a conviction sincerely without examining it, while honesty would require that one subject one’s convictions to frequent scrutiny.”
― Christopher Phillips, Socrates Cafe: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy

It’s payday in Tennessee. For many teachers across the state, that means more than the usual direct deposit. Today, they were expecting a little “extra” — a one-time $2,000 bonus. Or so they were told.

Some teachers saw it show up today. Others are still waiting, maybe until next week. And for those in Metro Nashville Public Schools, the check came with a familiar gut punch. Instead of $2,000, it was closer to $1,400. Cue confusion, frustration, and more than a little déjà vu.

You see, we’ve been here before. Promises made. Promises undermined by bureaucratic sleight-of-hand. But this time? It feels even more insulting.

A Bribe by Any Other Name

Let’s stop pretending. This isn’t a bonus. It’s a bribe. A not-so-subtle attempt to silence teachers’ resistance to Governor Bill Lee’s universal voucher expansion. It’s hush money, pure and simple. And even that was shorted.

Now, some will say: “Everyone pays taxes on income, why should this be different?” And they’re not wrong — on principle. But this isn’t income earned. It’s a political maneuver. It was sold to the public and to teachers as a full $2,000 payment — clean and simple.

The legislature even included extra money for districts to cover the employer-side deductions:

“For each bonus, districts will receive more than $2,000 to cover the employer’s share of benefits (social security, Medicare, and TCRS). This ensures the district is not responsible for covering benefit costs associated with a state-supported bonus payment.”

That means the amount above the $2,000 was meant to cover taxes, not come out of the $2,000. This wasn’t a mistake — it was a choice. A deliberate one.

So when teachers receive less than promised, it’s not just about the money. It’s about the trust that gets chipped away every time leaders say one thing and deliver another.

Who’s Left Out?

Worse still, this supposed act of generosity excludes a long list of educators: principals, assistant principals, support staff, coaches — all vital to student learning. None of them see a dime.

This is who Governor Lee believes deserves recognition? It’s a narrow, shortsighted view of how schools actually function. But again, expected.

Penny Schwinn’s Latest Plot Twist

Speaking of expectations, let’s talk about Penny Schwinn.

Earlier this week, the former Tennessee Education Commissioner withdrew her nomination for U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education. Officially, Schwinn cited a desire to “serve students in a different way.” But anyone paying attention knows the real reason.

Her nomination was faltering. National scrutiny over her past — particularly her time in Texas, where she supported pro-abortion appointees to state advisory roles — gave Senate Republicans cold feet. Rather than face a losing vote, she exited stage left.

But like a true soap opera villain — let’s call her Helena Cassadine, for all you General Hospital fans — she reemerged immediately in a new role: Chief Strategist to Make Education Great Again at the U.S. Department of Education. A title that sounds like satire but is somehow real.

She won’t need Senate confirmation for this one. No hearings. No scrutiny. Just a well-paid advisory role, neatly arranged by her political patrons.

It’s a brilliant move, if you’re into Machiavellian politics. For Tennessee educators who endured her tenure? It’s another reminder that in education, failure often leads to promotion — if you know the right people.

The Consultant Class Celebrates

You can bet Blake Harris is celebrating. The former chief of staff to Governor Lee and head of the lobbying firm Harris & Associates helped Schwinn land this gig. Now, he’s got a direct pipeline to DC — and all the influence (and revenue) that comes with it.

To those outside Tennessee, Schwinn is a rising star. Michael Petrilli of the Fordham Institute and Rick Hess of AEI rushed to her defense. Jim Blew, of the Defense of Freedom Institute, called her exit a setback for the Trump administration.

But these people never worked with Schwinn. They didn’t watch her run Tennessee’s DOE like a personal brand agency. They didn’t see the revolving door of staff, the flimsy initiatives, the constant media strategy over substance. In Tennessee, we know better.

“Ethics was a crucial concern,” said J.C. Bowman, head of Professional Educators of Tennessee. “Her personal business interests and possible conflicts could potentially influence educational decisions in ways that many found difficult to overlook.”

And yet, onward she climbs.

Commissioner Reynolds: Still Unlicensed

Meanwhile, Schwinn’s replacement, Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds, remains unqualified for her role — literally.

Under Tennessee law, the Commissioner of Education must hold a valid teaching license. Reynolds, when hired, did not. She promised to fix that. She enrolled in a UT-Martin teacher prep program and received a tuition waiver.

The problem? She wasn’t eligible for that waiver, not until she had served six months. After the issue surfaced, she repaid the funds.

And those classes?

“I work on it on weekends, and I do my best,” Reynolds said recently.

Translation: she still doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for her job.

The question isn’t just whether she’s taking the classes. It’s why we continue pretending this charade is normal. The department is already hollowing out. Staffers are quietly planning exits. Reynolds herself is likely gone after Governor Lee’s term ends in 2027.

Why keep up the performance?

MNPS Spins the Scores

Meanwhile, in Nashville, MNPS is pointing to recent TCAP gains as proof that everything is trending in the right direction.

Zach Barnes, a seasoned education writer, recently resurfaced with a column defending Superintendent Adrienne Battle. He argued that despite a massive lawsuit settlement and political headwinds, the district’s test scores are a cause for optimism.

And sure, there is some good news. MNPS posted gains in 19 of 21 subject areas for elementary and middle school students. Fifth-grade and sixth-grade scores saw big jumps. The district credits that to the reconfiguration of middle schools — pulling fifth-graders back into elementary settings.

MNPS says the move created more instructional continuity. And maybe it did.

But before we pop champagne, let’s look deeper.

Statewide, third-grade reading proficiency is at 41.7%. In MNPS? Just 33%.

And among Black and Hispanic students, the numbers are far worse:

• ELA proficiency: 23.4% (Black students), 21.2% (Hispanic students)
• Math proficiency: 20.3% (Black students), 21.9% (Hispanic students)

That’s not success. That’s a blinking warning light.

Andrea Williams, a columnist for The Tennessean, put it plainly:

“Student improvements, while good and important, are largely insignificant if the majority of kids are still struggling.”

We should absolutely celebrate growth. But growth alone doesn’t close gaps. If everyone else is running at 60mph and you increase your speed from 30 to 35, you’re still falling behind.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, thank you.

We’re in the thick of it here in Tennessee. Teachers are underpaid and undercut. Bonuses are used as political leverage. Unqualified leaders remain in power. Former leaders fail upward. Test scores are massaged for PR.

Our students deserve better. So do the educators who show up for them every day.

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Until next time, buckle up. The ride continues.

Categories: Education

Tags: and the Brilliant Mind, The Bonus, the Bribe