“Memphis, Marketing, and Ms. Mott”
Innovation ensures we experience sustainability, and the evolution of thought and practice. Education and Innovation support each other as students use knowledge to generate ideas, close the achievement gap, and support our country’s economy. Thelma Mott, in a career and technical education (CTE) innovator. Ms. Mott, changed the landscape of Marketing education in Memphis, TN, significantly impacting the academic and professional lives of students for 42 years. Her innovative use of project-based learning, industry partnerships, and work-based learning opportunities allowed Ms. Mott to have two of the most recognized Marketing programs in Memphis and Tennessee.
Walk into Ms. Mott’s classroom, and one would see what resembled a marketing agency, more so than a classroom. Ms. Mott had master differentiated and project-based learning, long before they were the “trending” education practices. With a class of 25 or more, due to high enrollment demand, students would work on DECA competition presentations, while preparing for fundraising opportunities for the department. Ms. Mott would sponsor student pictures for holidays such as Valentine’s Day, and her students also managed the school store where pencils and donuts were sold in the mornings. Ms. Mott’s biggest event was the DECA fashion show, known throughout the city as a premier fashion event for students. Partnerships with local retailers were utilized for clothes and makeup, Macy’s, and local celebrities served as entertainment and host the show. Students produced everything for the fashion show, and fundraising endeavors such as tickets, registration processes, advertising, and planning. All funds were used to support DECA activities, including DECA week, state/national competition annually. Ms. Mott, and other colleagues in the district, jointly sponsored city-wide DECA activities for students to network and fellowship. The DECA boat ride and night at the zoo were both highly attended events for the Marketing students.
Ms. Mott influenced the culture of her schools, prepared countless students for their postsecondary endeavors, and mentored educators whom now serve as district administrators due to their excellence in CTE. Ms. Mott retired from Whitehaven High School in May 2015, after five years of service there and a bout with breast cancer. However, she left Whitehaven with several accolades including being a Level 5 teacher, having a DECA state officer to serve, the largest chapter in Tennessee, and a friend/mentee who now serves as Tennessee DECA’s career and technical student organization (CTSO) specialist. Ms. Mott’s dedication, energy, and ingenuity changed Marketing and many lives forever.
Student video about her business and Ms. Mott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFCga9gHR84
By Candice Mott a 2015 Region I Fellow