Scholarship Application - Tennessee Sahli-Woodall Scholarship Fund

The Don Sahli Scholarship Fund was established in 1971 to honor Dr. Donald G. Sahli, executive secretary of the Tennessee Education Association at the time. When he retired in 1976, gifts from educators assured the continuation of the Don Sahli Scholarship Fund for members of the Student Tennessee Education Association. Today, many locals contribute annually to the fund, which has grown from granting one scholarship to granting ten.

Donald G. Sahli was a man who appreciated the value of a scholarship, regardless of the size. A scholarship lightened many burdens for him as he struggled financially while attending college, especially as he worked for his master's and doctorate degrees at Ohio State University.

Sahli brought a broad background of experience as a high school teacher of mathematics and history, high school principal, college instructor and dean, and superintendent — to TEA when he joined the staff in 1956 as Director of Public Relations.

The TEA Board of Directors elected him to the Association's top executive position in January 1963. He retired in 1976 as executive secretary emeritus.

Under Sahli's leadership, TEA membership increased significantly: the staff increased from five to thirty-two; the TEA headquarters building mortgage was burned; the TEA and Tennessee Education Congress merged successfully; professional liability insurance and the UniServ field service program were established; and members approved the unification of the local, state and national Associations.

Sahli was the first Association executive secretary in the country to serve on the Education Commission of the States. He also served on the executive committee of the National Council of State Education Associations.

A national colleague declared, "Dr. Sahli's contributions to the teaching profession are etched on the mileposts of educational progress in Tennessee and the nation."

To honor Kathy Woodall, the TEA Board of Directors created the Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Scholarship Fund as an honor and memorial to the only TEA President to die while in office. Kathryn C. Woodall died at her home September 6, 1996, after a long battle with cancer. Woodall began her second two-year term as president in July 1996.

Woodall was a native of Cheatham County and a proud graduate of Austin Peay State University. She was an educator in the Metro Nashville Public Schools for 28 years, concluding her work there as a guidance counselor at Gra-Mar Elementary School.

A lifetime Association member and activist, Woodall was president of the Metro Nashville Education Association in 1987-88. She was elected to the TEA Board of Directors and served in that position from 1988 to 1991. From 1992 until her election to the TEA presidency in 1994, she served Tennessee teachers as TEA vice president.

As TEA president, Woodall initiated the idea that Tennessee should "celebrate the success" of public schools and made that the theme of her presidency.

She played a major role in helping pass legislation that guaranteed safer schools in Tennessee and in gaining legislation which no longer required teachers to perform medical procedures on students with special needs. She lobbied successfully for a reduction in class sizes while MNEA president and, as TEA president, for funding to reduce class sizes statewide.

Woodall was a strong-willed, no-nonsense professional woman whose voice and demeanor commanded respect for her and the teachers she represented. A caring, compassionate person, she loved the children with whom she worked and, most especially, her family.

In her eulogy, a close friend said, "Though Kathy was a teacher first and always, she will be remembered for her strong teacher leadership in Nashville and Tennessee. She enjoyed going head-to-head for teachers and taking on anyone who dared not to believe in public schools or public school educators."

Individuals or organizations wishing to make tax-deductible contributions to the Sahli-Woodall Scholarship Fund can request more information or send checks to

Sahli-Woodall Scholarship Fund, Tennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099, 615.242.8392 or 1.800.342.8367

Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of academic excellence, demonstrated leadership abilities, economic need, and a demonstrated interest in becoming a teacher. The application deadline is March 1st, but applications are accepted throughout the year.

Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA)

One $2,000 scholarship awarded to the president of the Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA)
One $1,500 scholarship awarded to an STEA member
Two $750 scholarships awarded to STEA members

Sons and Daughters

One $1,000 scholarship to a TEA member's child who is a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student planning to major in education

Future Teachers of America/Educators Rising

One $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior planning to major in education

Johnella Martin Memorial

One $1,000 scholarship to a minority high school student planning to major in education

Education Support Professional (ESP)

One $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a currently employed Education Support Professional (ESP) who is an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a Tennessee college or university and who is preparing to become a teacher.

Al Mance Memorial

One $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a male ethnic minority undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled in a Tennessee college or university and who is preparing to become a teacher.

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