The Tennessee State Board of Education permanently revoked the educator licenses of three teachers for alleged sexual misconduct and assault against students at Friday’s board meeting.¶
Those educators include former White County middle school teacher Austin Allen, former Trenton high school teacher Brandon Doyle, and former Granville County North Carolina teacher Michael Mitteer. Authorities recently indicted Allen on two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a minor, four counts of rape of a child, one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation and sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means. Doyle pleaded guilty to two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. Mitteer was convicted of a sexual battery involving a student in North Carolina.¶
The board approved all three revocations without discussion.¶
The board also recognized several state schools that are receiving Blue Ribbon designation efforts to support student success.Tennessee Department of Education Chief Academic Officer Kristy Brown announced Middle College at Austin Peay State University, Fairmont Elementary School, Crosswind Elementary School, Nolan Elementary School, Brentwood Middle School and Linden Elementary School have all received recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools by the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program. That program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps.¶
In addition, the board congratulated East Chester Elementary School and Dresden Elementary School for work geared towards boosting student performance and serving special populations of students. The National Elementary and Secondary Education Association named both National ESEA Distinguished Schools for their team approaches to teaching and learning, focused professional development opportunities for staff, individualized programs for student success and strong partnerships to support student success within the district community.¶
“I want to congratulate all of you,” Brown said of the district designations.¶
