Dr. H.Gary Keplinger, Project Director
Gary has a varied background in both education and business. He has served as teacher, principal and superintendent of schools, as math consultant for the state of Iowa and has taught all grade levels including college in Iowa before moving to Tennessee four years ago. He has also served as the director of market research for a multi-state insurance company and as a management consultant to school districts and city governments. His big love though is teaching in middle school--a position he returned to after being the Christian editor for a music industry magazine and publishing his own Country Gospel magazine. He stated, "I love the enthusiasm middle school kids have. All you have to do is get it channeled the right way. Last year that happened once--this year I'm going for twice!" Gary's hobbies include music, (he is co-owner of an independent record
production company and has a music ministry of his own), golf, spectator sports (too old to
participate and still recover in a reasonable time), and photography and writing. You can send e-mail to Dr. K at gkeplinger@hotmail.com
 
Terry Carter
Terry has been a teacher for six years.  He started his teaching career at Germantown High School (in the Memphis area) and taught a year at Ellis Middle School (where he met Dr. K and company).  Currently, he is teaching math and accounting at Portland High School.  He received his B.B.A. in Accounting in 1989.  After figuring out it would be a lot more fun being a teacher (a prophecy he has tried his best to fulfill), he went back to Memphis State University (now so fervently called the University of Memphis) where he received his M.A.T. in 1993.  He loves to write songs in his spare time (he is amateur at best- and, no, that is not why he is living in Nashville now).  He likes teaching because it gives him the chance to create activities where he can have some fun with the kids.  He is always looking for new ideas.  So, if you have any suggestions for something that would be fun to do in (or outside) the classroom, or if you'd like to fix him a nice home-cooked meal :o), just send him a little note at tcbnf1@aol.com

Tonya Smith

Tonya has a B.A. degree in Education from Tennessee State University.  She has taught in kindergarten and second grade.  Tonya is involved in the Tennessee Sports Math Project as a result of her doing her student teaching under Dr. Keplinger.  She is also coordinating the K-6 component of the USA Sports Math project. Her interests are varied and encompass a wide variety of activities.  You may send her e-mail at tonyajs@hotmail.com

Bruce Kent Heady
A 1996 graduate of Tennessee Tech University B.S. in Health and PE, 29 years old, married/no kids, semi-funny guy, Bruce is currently freshman and assistant varsity coach at Hillsboro High School in Nashville.  He teaches high school resource students.  His hobbies include playing softball, basketball, running, officiating basketball and baseball games, the internet, telling jokes with moderate amounts of humor, and cooking (not necessarily in that order). His job for the sports math project includes gathering information from the internet to write the activities, communicating with the different organizations for use of their stats and team logos, helping write the activities themselves, and fetching Dr. K a doughnut when there is a hunger pain calling. Quote: "why do we drive on parkways and park in driveways?"  You can e-mail Bruce at bkh121@aol.com

Julie Lannom
Success can be achieved through a wide array of approaches.  Julie, who teaches eighth grade science at Robert E. Ellis Middle School, wanted to be part of an innovative design, which enhances learning by combining mathematics and sports.  Applying her background and interest in sports, plus her enthusiasm for new and dynamic techniques in education, Julie finds the Tennessee Sports Math Project to be effective and rewarding.  "This approach is all about teamwork and the shared goal of making mathematics exciting.  It also provides opportunities to update ourselves with the latest computer tools.  Quite simply, this is a fun project, and hopefully more participants will become involved in the future."  Julie received her B.S. degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University, and she acquired her M.A. in education at Western Kentucky University.   Going into her tenth year of teaching, she is looking forward to applying new ideas, assisting students in meeting their goals, and focusing on new advancements in education.  Besides teaching, some of Julie's other interests include singing, reading, sketching, painting and staying active in sports activities (especially bicycling).  Her e-mail address is   jlannom@hotmail.com

Cherie Dennis
Cherie has a B.S. in secondary education mathematics from Tennessee Technological University.  She currently teaches eighth grade math, advanced math and algebra I at White House Middle School in White House, Tennessee.  Cherie also works for the Girl Scouts of America as a rappelling, high ropes and low ropes facilitator.  She is a sponsor of the White House Adventure Team and loves to take students camping, hiking, rappelling, rock climbing and canoeing.  Her enjoyment of sports and math made working on the Tennessee Sports Math Project irresistible.  Her e-mail address is CHERIE1222@aol.com

Betty Joe Salyers
Betty Joe has a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky and a M.Ed. in Special Education from Tennessee State University.  She has taught at the elementary and middle school levels.  Currently, she is teaching eighth grade math, algebra I and science at Hawkins Middle School in Hendersonville, Tennessee.  The Tennessee Sports Math Project was exciting to her because of her love for mathematics and sports.  Her e-mail address is salyersb@ten-nash.tn.k12.us

Jackie Decker
Jackie has a B.S. in Business Education and a Masters of Business Education from Middle Tennessee State University.  She has taught business and computer skills classes in high school and middle school for 23 years.  Her interest in the Tennessee Sports Math Project stems from the fact that she and her husband, Paul, have three sons who are avid lovers of sports and not-so-avid lovers of math.  Her e-mail address is deckerj@ten-nash.tn.k12.us

Jan Zanetis
Jan is a 7th grade Science teacher at Ellis Middle School. She has taught grades K-8 and was a
Special Education teacher for 12 years. Her greatest interest is educational technology. She is
currently involved in projects that train students and teachers in the development of web pages as a
presentation tool. Jan has served as our technical consultant and web page authority. She can be reached via e-mail at zanetisj@bellsouth.net