Agency file

Education

Source file: Tennessee — State Employee Salaries / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Education administers public education — funding, academic standards, and the operation of schools.

In 2026, this agency had 988 employees with median total compensation of $78,246; the highest distinct record was $285,378.

Year: 2026
Employees: 988
Median total: $78,246
Highest record: $285,378

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$14,643$192,549+

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 988 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($78,246) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $79,068 (98%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $1,377 (2%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$37,980

$55,320

$78,246

$96,997

$120,227

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $120,227 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $37,980. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Special Schools Teacher

152 · $80,966

Education Consultant 3

71 · $81,941

Education Consultant 2

69 · $66,326

Special Schools Education Assistant

51 · $35,615

Education Consultant 4

49 · $97,816

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 1

Sara Morrison

Sbe Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$285,378

Sub-department: TN State Board of Education
Base pay: $273,228
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,150
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $285,378
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $22,769
Employee ID: 363208

Sara Morrison holds the role of Sbe Executive Director at Education within TN State Board of Education. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $285,378.

Lizzette Reynolds

Commissioner 3/Education

2026 total comp

$278,448

Sub-department: Executive Administration
Base pay: $278,448
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $278,448
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C Gonzalez

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $23,204
Employee ID: 627994

At Education, Lizzette Reynolds serves as a Commissioner 3 within Executive Administration. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $278,448.

Samuel Pearcy

Deputy Commissioner 1/Education

2026 total comp

$258,165

Sub-department: Performance Management
Base pay: $247,176
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,989
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $258,165
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $20,598
Employee ID: 415417

Samuel Pearcy holds the role of Deputy Commissioner 1 at Education within Performance Management. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $258,165.

Christy Ballard

General Counsel 2/Education

2026 total comp

$236,317

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $226,800
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,517
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $236,317
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $18,900
Employee ID: 143668

At Education, Christy Ballard serves as a General Counsel 2 within General Counsel. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $236,317.

Kristy Brown

Assistant Commissioner 2/Education

2026 total comp

$229,468

Sub-department: OCAO Executive Admin
Base pay: $219,732
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,736
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $229,468
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $18,311
Employee ID: 293329

At Education, Kristy Brown serves as a Assistant Commissioner 2 within Ocao Executive Administrative. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $229,468.

Tess Stovall

Tpcsc Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$225,015

Sub-department: Charter Commission
Base pay: $215,436
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,579
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $225,015
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $17,953
Employee ID: 432367

Tess Stovall holds the role of Tpcsc Executive Director at Education within Charter Commission. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $225,015.

Lori Paisley

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$210,953

Sub-department: Child Nutrition
Base pay: $202,116
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,837
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $210,953
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,843
Employee ID: 315629

At Education, Lori Paisley serves as a Education Senior Executive Director within Child Nutrition. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $210,953.

Jonathan Criswell

Assistant Commissioner 2/Education

2026 total comp

$208,250

Sub-department: Assessment and Testing
Base pay: $204,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $208,250
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: David

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $17,000
Employee ID: 232997

Jonathan Criswell works as a Assistant Commissioner 2 for Education within Assessment and Testing. Their status is full-time. Jonathan earned $208,250 in 2026.

David Laird

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$207,369

Sub-department: Accountability
Base pay: $202,428
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,941
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $207,369
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,869
Employee ID: 564032

David Laird is a Education Senior Executive Director at Education within Accountability. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $207,369.

Jaclyn O'Brien

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$203,583

Sub-department: Center of Regional Excellence
Base pay: $198,696
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,887
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $203,583
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,558
Employee ID: 548517

At Education, Jaclyn O'Brien serves as a Education Senior Executive Director within Center of Regional Excellence. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $203,583.

Deborah Knoll

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$203,048

Sub-department: College Career Technical Edu
Base pay: $194,544
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,504
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $203,048
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,212
Employee ID: 451124

Deborah Knoll is a Education Senior Executive Director at Education within College Career Technical Edu. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $203,048.

Trudy Hughes

Assistant Commissioner 1/Education

2026 total comp

$203,020

Sub-department: Federal Programs
Base pay: $194,544
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,476
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $203,020
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,212
Employee ID: 350714

Trudy Hughes is a Assistant Commissioner 1 at Education within Federal Programs. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $203,020.

Maryanne Durski

Assistant Commissioner 1/Education

2026 total comp

$201,373

Sub-department: Finance & Internal Operations
Base pay: $196,536
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,837
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $201,373
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,378
Employee ID: 383429

At Education, Maryanne Durski serves as a Assistant Commissioner 1 within Finance & Internal Operations. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $201,373.

Misty Moody

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$201,372

Sub-department: Early Childhood Education
Base pay: $196,536
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,836
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $201,372
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,378
Employee ID: 448800

Misty Moody is a Education Senior Executive Director at Education within Early Childhood Education. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $201,372.

Deborah Thompson

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$201,371

Sub-department: Federal Programs and Oversight
Base pay: $196,536
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,835
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $201,371
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,378
Employee ID: 276822

Deborah Thompson is a Education Senior Executive Director at Education within Federal Programs and Oversight. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $201,371.

Jennifer Jordan

Assistant Commissioner 2/Education

2026 total comp

$196,725

Sub-department: Special Education
Base pay: $192,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,725
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $196,725
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,000
Employee ID: 219496

Jennifer Jordan is a Assistant Commissioner 2 at Education within Special Education. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $196,725.

Robin Copp

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$196,724

Sub-department: School Improvement
Base pay: $192,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,724
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $196,724
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,000
Employee ID: 526610

Robin Copp holds the role of Education Senior Executive Director at Education within School Improvement. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $196,724.

Brooke Amos

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$196,724

Sub-department: Human Capital
Base pay: $192,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,724
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $196,724
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Gail

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,000
Employee ID: 595067

Brooke Amos works as a Education Senior Executive Director for Education within Human Capital. Their status is full-time. Brooke earned $196,724 in 2026.

Christy Wall

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$196,719

Sub-department: Academic Offices
Base pay: $192,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,719
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $196,719
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,000
Employee ID: 612321

Christy Wall holds the role of Education Senior Executive Director at Education within Academic Offices. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $196,719.

Vijay Gollapudi

Education Student Data Administrative/Education

2026 total comp

$193,670

Sub-department: Technology
Base pay: $189,120
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,550
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,670
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $15,760
Employee ID: 545063

Vijay Gollapudi holds the role of Education Student Data Administrative at Education within Technology. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $193,670.

Nathan James

Sbe Deputy Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$192,549

Sub-department: TN State Board of Education
Base pay: $184,344
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,205
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,549
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $15,362
Employee ID: 341086

Nathan James holds the role of Sbe Deputy Executive Director at Education within TN State Board of Education. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $192,549.

Ginger Leach

Education Senior Executive Director/Education

2026 total comp

$189,614

Sub-department: Center of Regional Excellence
Base pay: $180,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,614
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $189,614
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $15,000
Employee ID: 261048

Ginger Leach is a Education Senior Executive Director at Education within Center of Regional Excellence. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $189,614.

Amanda Treat

HR Director 2/Education

2026 total comp

$182,924

Sub-department: Human Resources
Base pay: $178,536
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,388
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $182,924
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $14,878
Employee ID: 497136

At Education, Amanda Treat serves as a HR Director 2 within Human Resources. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $182,924.

Joshua Mason

Ss Executive Director State/Education

2026 total comp

$181,116

Sub-department: TN School For Blind
Base pay: $181,116
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,116
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $15,093
Employee ID: 185789

Joshua Mason holds the role of Ss Executive Director State at Education within TN School for Blind. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $181,116.

Taylor Jenkins

Deputy General Counsel/Education

2026 total comp

$180,201

Sub-department: Gen Counsel-Special Population
Base pay: $173,256
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,945
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,201
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $14,438
Employee ID: 482237

Taylor Jenkins is a Deputy General Counsel at Education within General Counsel-Special Population. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $180,201.

Sandra Edwards

Special Schools Superintendent/Education

2026 total comp

$177,460

Sub-department: TN School For Deaf
Base pay: $166,380
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,080
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,460
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Goldman

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,865
Employee ID: 578796

At Education, Sandra Edwards serves as a Special Schools Superintendent within TN School for Deaf. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $177,460.

Ashley Thomas

Tpcsc General Counsel/Education

2026 total comp

$175,218

Sub-department: Charter Commission
Base pay: $171,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,206
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $175,218
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $14,251
Employee ID: 125258

Ashley Thomas is a Tpcsc General Counsel at Education within Charter Commission. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $175,218.

Rica Douglas

Education Chief of Staff/Education

2026 total comp

$169,380

Sub-department: Executive Administration
Base pay: $165,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,380
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,380
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Mishell

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,750
Employee ID: 569721

Rica Douglas works as a Education Chief of Staff for Education within Executive Administration. Their status is full-time. Rica earned $169,380 in 2026.

John Bush

Special Schools Superintendent/Education

2026 total comp

$168,022

Sub-department: York Institute
Base pay: $160,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,534
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,022
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,374
Employee ID: 309590

At Education, John Bush serves as a Special Schools Superintendent within York Institute. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $168,022.

Rachel Suppe

Sbe General Counsel/Education

2026 total comp

$167,004

Sub-department: TN State Board of Education
Base pay: $167,004
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,004
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Elizabeth

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,917
Employee ID: 480375

Rachel Suppe works as a Sbe General Counsel for Education within TN State Board of Education. Their status is full-time. Rachel earned $167,004 in 2026.

Shaundraya Hersey

Senior Associate Counsel/Education

2026 total comp

$166,770

Sub-department: Gen Counsel-Special Population
Base pay: $160,248
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,522
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,770
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Sheree

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,354
Employee ID: 555803

Shaundraya Hersey holds the role of Senior Associate Counsel at Education within General Counsel-Special Population. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $166,770.

Richard Ray

Special Schools Superintendent/Education

2026 total comp

$162,853

Sub-department: TN School For Blind
Base pay: $158,388
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,465
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,853
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,199
Employee ID: 626665

Richard Ray is a Special Schools Superintendent at Education within TN School for Blind. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $162,853.

Keith Minor

Senior Associate Counsel/Education

2026 total comp

$161,776

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $158,160
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,616
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $161,776
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Donald

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,180
Employee ID: 584375

At Education, Keith Minor serves as a Senior Associate Counsel within General Counsel. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $161,776.

David Oldham

Senior Associate Counsel/Education

2026 total comp

$161,772

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $158,160
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,612
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $161,772
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $13,180
Employee ID: 133770

David Oldham is a Senior Associate Counsel at Education within General Counsel. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $161,772.

Derek Holladay

Audit Director 2/Education

2026 total comp

$159,294

Sub-department: Internal Audit
Base pay: $155,472
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,822
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,294
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Brett

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $12,956
Employee ID: 550044

Derek Holladay works as a Audit Director 2 for Education within Internal Audit. Their status is full-time. Derek earned $159,294 in 2026.

Steven Sanders

Information Systems Director 1/Education

2026 total comp

$154,587

Sub-department: Technology
Base pay: $150,864
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,723
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,587
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $12,572
Employee ID: 142273

At Education, Steven Sanders serves as a Information Systems Director 1 within Technology. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $154,587.

Todd Madison

Sbe Deputy General Counsel/Education

2026 total comp

$153,801

Sub-department: TN State Board of Education
Base pay: $150,288
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,513
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,801
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Michael

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $12,524
Employee ID: 443329

Todd Madison is a Sbe Deputy General Counsel at Education within TN State Board of Education. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $153,801.

Mary Kellar

Fiscal Director 3/Education

2026 total comp

$147,361

Sub-department: Finance & Internal Operations
Base pay: $143,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,529
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,361
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,986
Employee ID: 306586

At Education, Mary Kellar serves as a Fiscal Director 3 within Finance & Internal Operations. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $147,361.

Robin Bates

Fiscal Director 2/Education

2026 total comp

$147,000

Sub-department: Finance & Internal Operations
Base pay: $147,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $12,250
Employee ID: 138763

Robin Bates holds the role of Fiscal Director 2 at Education within Finance & Internal Operations. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $147,000.

Virginia Mayfield

Education Program Director 2/Education

2026 total comp

$145,946

Sub-department: Academic Offices
Base pay: $142,440
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,506
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,946
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,870
Employee ID: 230684

At Education, Virginia Mayfield serves as a Education Program Director 2 within Academic Offices. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $145,946.