Tonya Smith Chestnut is a native of Selma Alabama. She received her B.S. degree from Jacksonville State University in Early Childhood Education in 1982. She received her Masters degree from Alabama State University in 1985 and Educational Leadership Certification in 1986. She continued her education and received an Education Specialist Degree from Auburn University in Montgomery in 1997. She has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, elementary curriculum supervisor and federal programs coordinator. She will serve as a principal coach for the Alabama Reading Initiative beginning July 2005.

Ms. Chestnut is an ordained minister and member of the Fresh Anointing International Church. She is the founder of a city-wide women’s Bible study and fellowship.  Mrs. Chestnut is married to Pastor Coley Chestnut and is the proud mother of three children,Tamela, Coleysia, and Coley, II.