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Tennessee Firefly

Shining a light on education & government in Tennessee

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Education Policy Reporter

Katerine “Kat” Gerasimenko

Katerine (Kat) Gerasimenko is a reporter for The Tennessee Firefly, where she covers education policy, school governance, and the impact of public decisions on Tennessee families. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University, where her academic interests focused on student equity and mental health.

Her passion for education policy began in high school and has since evolved into a professional calling. Kat began her journalism career at WZTV in Nashville, producing digital-first news centered on Middle Tennessee communities and state-level developments.

Today, she brings a deep sense of mission to her work—blending policy fluency with accessible storytelling that centers real people and real issues. Originally from Atlanta, Kat now lives in Tennessee and is active in the local arts and nonprofit education communities.

kat@tnfirefly.comLinkedIn@katerinegeraa

Articles by Katerine Gerasimenko

New Survey Finds Bipartisan Parental Support for Annual Testing
National Education

New Survey Finds Bipartisan Parental Support for Annual Testing

A new national survey from The PIE Network finds bipartisan support for annual student testing, with ninety-five percent of respondents saying it is important for students to be tested each year.

Katerine Gerasimenko·November 7, 2025·2 min read
Amid Federal Shutdown, Tennessee Weighs Impact of Potential School Funding Changes  on Disadvantaged Students
National EducationState Education

Amid Federal Shutdown, Tennessee Weighs Impact of Potential School Funding Changes on Disadvantaged Students

Tennessee lawmakers pressed state education officials this week for answers on how the ongoing federal shutdown and potential Trump-backed block grant proposals could affect school staffing and services for disadvantaged students.

Katerine Gerasimenko·November 5, 2025·2 min read
Knox County School Board Considers Taking a Stand Against Barriers for Undocumented Children to Attend Public Schools
Local EducationLocal News

Knox County School Board Considers Taking a Stand Against Barriers for Undocumented Children to Attend Public Schools

The Knox County School Board is weighing whether to take a formal stance against a revived bill that could allow Tennessee districts to deny undocumented students a free public education.

Katerine Gerasimenko·November 5, 2025·2 min read
Supporters of Nashville’s Newest Public Charter School Celebrate Approval to Open Next Year
Local EducationLocal News

Supporters of Nashville’s Newest Public Charter School Celebrate Approval to Open Next Year

Nashville’s newest public charter school, The Rock Academy, is set to open next fall as Tennessee’s first “opportunity charter school,” a model dedicated to re-engaging at-risk youth who have faced significant barriers to education.

Katerine Gerasimenko·November 3, 2025·2 min read
Metro Nashville’s Director of Schools Earns ‘Met’ Ratings Across All Evaluation Categories
Local Education

Metro Nashville’s Director of Schools Earns ‘Met’ Ratings Across All Evaluation Categories

An evaluation team of board members used student growth, proficiency, attendance, and other areas to rate Dr. Battle across four evaluation categories, including literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning (SEL), and transitions.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 31, 2025·2 min read
Memphis-Shelby County School Board Expands Bus Access Citing Attendance Concerns Amid ICE and National Guard Presence
Local EducationLocal News

Memphis-Shelby County School Board Expands Bus Access Citing Attendance Concerns Amid ICE and National Guard Presence

The Memphis-Shelby County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to expand bus eligibility for all students, citing attendance declines and safety concerns amid recent ICE and National Guard activity in Memphis.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 30, 2025·2 min read
All Nine Memphis-Shelby School Board Seats Headed for Election After Commission Overrides Mayor’s Veto
Local EducationLocal News

All Nine Memphis-Shelby School Board Seats Headed for Election After Commission Overrides Mayor’s Veto

Shelby County Commissioners voted 8–4 to override Mayor Lee Harris’ veto and put all nine Memphis-Shelby County School Board seats on the ballot in 2026.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 29, 2025·2 min read
Tennessee Education Leaders Debate the Value of Charters, Vouchers and Accountability in School Choice
State Education

Tennessee Education Leaders Debate the Value of Charters, Vouchers and Accountability in School Choice

On Monday, a panel hosted by the League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro‑Rutherford County brought together education leaders from private, charter, and traditional public schools to debate the emerging landscape of school choice in Tennessee.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 28, 2025·2 min read
UT System Reports Record Enrollment, Research Growth, and Workforce Development Push in 2025
State EducationCollege and Higher Edu...

UT System Reports Record Enrollment, Research Growth, and Workforce Development Push in 2025

The University of Tennessee System has reached historic highs in 2025, reporting record enrollment, retention, and research funding across its campuses.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 28, 2025·2 min read
Tennessee Sets New Record with 92.3 Percent Graduation Rate in 2024-25 School Year
State EducationState Government

Tennessee Sets New Record with 92.3 Percent Graduation Rate in 2024-25 School Year

Tennessee has achieved a record-high graduation rate of 92.3 percent for the 2024–25 school year, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Education.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 27, 2025·2 min read
Tullahoma School Board Votes to Limit Classroom Flags After Heated Debate Over LGBTQ+ Symbols
Local EducationLocal News

Tullahoma School Board Votes to Limit Classroom Flags After Heated Debate Over LGBTQ+ Symbols

The Tullahoma City School Board voted unanimously Monday to restrict classroom flags and displays to curriculum-related materials, ending weeks of debate centered on the presence of Pride flags in local schools.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 27, 2025·2 min read
Clarksville-Montgomery School Board Rejects Resolution to Oppose Legislation That Would Allow School Districts the Option of Denying Undocumented Children
Local Education

Clarksville-Montgomery School Board Rejects Resolution to Oppose Legislation That Would Allow School Districts the Option of Denying Undocumented Children

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board narrowly voted down a resolution opposing House Bill 793, legislation that would allow Tennessee school districts to deny undocumented children a free public education.

Katerine Gerasimenko·October 24, 2025·2 min read