October 15, 2025
Rutherford County Schools proudly celebrates the achievements of Allen Kessinger, Stewarts Creek Middle social studies teacher, who was recently invited to serve as the keynote speaker at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Colonel Hardy Murfree Chapter 3-107-TN Sequoyah District commemorative event held on September 11, 2025.
This prestigious invitation follows Mr. Kessinger’s recognition as the DAR Chapter History Teacher of the Year in the previous year, a testament to his dedication to civic education and historical literacy. His keynote program, titled “Making the Constitution Come Alive in Schools,” was delivered in honor of Constitution Week, which begins on September 17, marking the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787—often referred to as the “birthday” of the U.S. Government. This year’s event also aligns with the America 250 celebration, commemorating the founding milestones of our nation.
Before beginning his address, Mr. Kessinger humbly acknowledged the collaborative spirit behind his work, recognizing several key individuals:
- Jermaine Jackson, his teaching partner of twelve years, whose shared passion and immeasurable contributions have helped shape their civic literacy initiative. Mr. Jackson is also a former DAR Chapter History Teacher of the Year.
- Dr. Letoni Murry, principal of Stewarts Creek Middle, whose trust and courage to support innovative curriculum paved the way for the program’s success.
- Tabitha Kessinger, Allen’s wife and fellow educator at Stewarts Creek Middle, whose own program promotes civic education through financial literacy, cursive writing using the Gettysburg Address, and community service.
The journey began in 2017, when Mr. Kessinger received the first delivery of 9-17 Society Pocket Constitutions for his students, thanks to the visionary leadership of Joni Bryan and her Tennessee-based nonprofit. Inspired by the potential to deepen students’ understanding of foundational government principles, Mr. Kessinger and Mr. Jackson developed a bold plan to integrate civics into the middle school curriculum.
With Dr. Murry’s approval, they launched the first and only civics literacy program of its kind in Rutherford County middle schools. The program consists of a three-week instructional unit between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, during which students actively engage with their pocket Constitutions—highlighting, annotating, and referencing the text throughout.
The capstone of the course is a comprehensive, multi-part open-book exam, using only the Constitution as a resource. Upon successful completion, students receive a certificate signed by Dr. Murry. The program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and parents alike and has been refined annually. To date, over 3,000 students have completed the course and read the Constitution in full.
Mr. Kessinger closed his address with a powerful message:
“Civic incompetence puts us all at risk of misinformation but can easily be remedied: Put civics back into elementary and middle school. The common ground of shared competency has been lost and it must be regained if we are to move forward.”
He encouraged attendees to find their own path to civic advocacy—whether through petitioning elected officials, sponsoring student groups, or supporting existing initiatives.
Stewarts Creek Middle School is proud to recognize Mr. Kessinger’s leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to empowering students through civic education.