Cynthia Putman is a nationally recognized educational specialist and storyteller with 31 years of experience connecting community stakeholders.
She is currently available for speaking opportunities, consulting, and workshops.
Celebrating our community.
Starting with a story to connect communities is courageous.
My Background
As an educator, storyteller, and lifelong learner, I have discovered the incredible influence that committed, caring adults can have on a child's life. Through my work as a certified Bridges Out of Poverty and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) trainer, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of building positive relationships to help families escape poverty. Throughout my three-decade career as an educator and two-decade tenure at WCTE PBS, I have had the privilege of providing uplifting experiences for the children and families I serve. I firmly believe that every individual possesses the ability to positively impact a child's life.
B.S., Education
1993 - 2014 Elementary/ Middle Classroom Educator
2000 - 2014 Education Associate WCTE PBS
2014- 2015 Ready To Learn Demonstration Station Cohort
Putnam County School System District Specialist
Ready To Learn Cohort 3, Project Manager
2015 - 2020 WCTE Ready To Learn Project Manager
Putnam County School System District Specialist
2016-2022 Host of the Weekly Get Ready To Learn Radio Show
2015 - 2020 WCTE Ready To Learn Grant Project Manager
2020 - Present Academic Social Interventionist District-Wide (Putnam County Schools)
Recognition and Awards
2021 National Public Media Award: Bobbi English Champion for Children Award from Sesame Workshop, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)
2019 Stories From The Stage-WORLD Channel
2018 Storyfest Competition winner
2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Early Foundations
2018 John Seigenthaler Making Kids Count Media Award
2018 WCTE’s SheepDog Award
2017 Highlands Residential Services KIDS MATTER Supporter of the Year
2016 Nominated for Midsouth Emmy for “Hey Parents” Interstitial
2016 Putnam County School System Make a Difference Award
Certifications
Bridges Out Of Poverty Facilitator
Building Strong Brains Trainer (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
Alberta Family Wellness Brain Certification
Speaker/Consultant for Hire
2015 – Present
Building Communities
Sharing My Message
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National Presentations:
- (NETA) National Educational Telecommunications Association 2002, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2020
-PBS Annual Meeting 2019
-PBS Staff Training PBS Headquarters 2019
-American Library Asociation Annual Conference 2019
-American Federation of School Administrators National Conference 2018
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Statewide Presentations:
-Metro Nashville School District Transportation Department
-TN Department Education Transportation Department
-Partners in Education (PIE) Conference TN Dept. Of Education
-East Tennessee Federal Programs Conference Title 1
-TN Department Of Health (HUGS) Help Us Grow Successfully
-TN Department of Education Statewide Leaps/21st Century Conference
-TAHRA (Tennessee Association of Human Resource Agencies)
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Local Presentations:
-REDI for Action: Rural Economic Development Initiative
-Cumberland County United Funds Community Partners
-Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency
-Upper Cumberland Development District
-Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
-L.B.J.& C. Head Start
-Rural Library Network
As someone who loves storytelling and building community, I aim to inspire people to work towards a brighter future through my stories.
“Your address, a number on the scale, or where your family is from should never determine your worth as a person.”
Cynthia Putman
