Education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success recognized four state lawmakers for their leadership in education policy during the 2025 legislative session.¶
(WATCH: Team Kid Hero Award Ceremony (Facebook Live Link) )¶
The organization awarded its annual Team Kid Hero Award to State Senator Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro, and State Representatives Charlie Baum, R-Murfreesboro, Robert Stevens, R-Smyrna, and Lee Reeves, R-Franklin, at a ceremony held Tuesday inside the Tennessee State Capitol.¶
"Each of this year's Team Kid Hero awardees shares our passion for ensuring all Tennessee students receive a high-quality public education," said Lana Skelo, TSS President and CEO. "We'd like to thank these lawmakers for their tireless work protecting proven education policies and creating a Tennessee where public schools and universities are centers of excellence and innovation that equip students with the tools and skills to succeed in the workforce of the future."¶
The Tennessee Firefly is a product of and supported by Tennesseans for Student Success.¶
Rep. Charlie Baum Highlights Financial Decisions ¶
Rep. Baum currently serves as the chair of the House Higher Education Subcommittee and on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he says he leverages his Ph.D in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.¶
Baum says his legislative accomplishments in this year’s session focused on the financial aspects of education.¶
“I am pleased with how we’ve budgeted our resources and our money for education (this year),” Baum said. “Over the last eight years, we have increased state funding for public education here in the state of Tennessee by over $2.5 billion. At the same time, we have begun to award about $150 million to school choice by providing students with education savings accounts.”¶
Baum said being honored with an award this year was important to him because of how much of his life has been focused on higher education, in particular.¶
“So much of my career has been dedicated to education,” said Baum. “As a professor of economics, I’ve taught at MTSU for 26 years now, and so, education is an important part of my life. Part of that is ensuring that students are learning, that standards are high, and that we are promoting student achievement.¶
Freshman Legislator Recognition for Rep. Lee Reeves¶
During Tuesday’s ceremony, first-time legislator Lee Reeves received recognition for navigating the challenges of the legislative process during his inaugural year, winning the “Freshman Legislator of the Year” award.¶
“Awards like this are important because it is feedback from constituencies that you’ve done a good job, and that you care about a particular subject matter,” said Reeves. “Tennesseans for Student Success is a great organization that supports the use of charter schools in our educational landscape, which are an incredible factor in educating young Tennesseans. So, I’m really pleased to win ‘Freshman Legislator of the Year’ this year.”¶
Reeves also reflected on the work legislators did around charter schools in the 2025 session.¶
Charter schools are free public schools operated by non-profit organizations under a “charter” with a school district or the state.¶
“We did get some things done in the charter school space and in school choice in general,” said Reeves. “Charter schools are certainly part of that educational landscape, and I was very excited to get across the finish line on the school choice Education Freedom Act earlier this year in our Special Session. I’m very proud of the work we did on the Education Committee.”¶
Reeves, a graduate of Emory University and Georgetown University Law Center, is also a candidate in the October Republican primary for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.¶
Overall Team Kid Hero Award for Rep. Robert Stevens¶
Rep. Robert Stevens received the Overall Team Kid Hero Award for advancing bills that strengthened charter schools and ensured direct state funding.¶
Rep. Robert Stevens says supporting legislation that strengthens Tennessee’s education system remains one of his top priorities.¶
“Tennessee’s students are the future,” Stevens said. “A strong education will open doors and increase the possibilities for them to meet their potential. We only get one chance to educate our young people, and I want to be sure they receive the best education we can possibly provide.”¶
During the 2025 legislative session, Stevens partnered with Sen. Dawn White on several bills aimed at addressing challenges facing public charter schools.¶
“One of the bills we carried streamlined the process for direct payment of state funding, eliminating the need for local education agencies to act as middlemen,” Stevens said. “Two other bills removed unnecessary restrictions and red tape for charter schools, helping improve access for families.”¶
As he prepares for the upcoming session, Stevens said his focus will also be on meeting the needs of a rapidly growing Rutherford County.¶
“Rutherford County is growing by leaps and bounds,” he said. “Our local officials need help with funding to offset the costs of new schools, as well as additions and renovations at existing schools. I’ll be looking for innovative ways to meet those needs. At the same time, I want to ensure we continue to expand opportunities and preserve strong choices for parents in their children’s education.”¶
Stevens holds degrees from Lipscomb University and the University of Memphis School of Law.¶
Sen. Dawn White Touts Expanding Postsecondary Access¶
Tennessee Senator Dawn White took over the chair of the Senate Education Committee this year. She told the Tennessee Firefly that all the work done in the session, not just part of it, is a piece in the overarching puzzle to improving student success in education.¶
“Everything we did on the Education Committee this year moved the needle, as you can see with (Tennessee’s) scores,” said White. The new scores NAEP put out this year show the massive growth in Tennessee. It’s very hard to pick just one.”¶
This past year, White championed postsecondary access specifically through legislation that made the Tennessee Promise Scholarship permanent. The program offers tuition-free access to community colleges, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT), and participating associate degree programs after other financial aid is applied.¶
White also sponsored changes to the Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship that make it easier for aspiring educators to qualify. The scholarship launched in 2023 and provides loan forgiveness for students who commit to teaching in high-needs schools and subjects. ¶
The importance of education ultimately comes first-hand for White, as before she was a lawmaker, White was once in the classroom herself.¶
“As a former educator for seven years, I understand the importance of education,” said White. “It is a complete and total honor to win an award like this, to be a champion of education. I believe a strong education is the way to get a child out of any situation and that it is the key to the success of our state.” ¶
