Tag Archives: Nashville schools

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Nashville Public Schools Hall of Fame

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) will hold an event on Thursday, August 27th to honor this year’s inductees into the Public Schools Hall of Fame.

More from a media release:

The Nashville Public Education Foundation will host its 22nd Public Schools Hall of Fame luncheon on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to recognize nine honorees and garner support for the city’s public education system.

2026 Public Schools Hall of Fame Honorees:

Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award presented by Vanderbilt University

  • Rodger Dinwiddie is the Co-CEO of STARS Nashville, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization addressing substance misuse, school-based mental health supports, violence and bullying prevention training, and adolescent intensive outpatient treatment services.

MNPS Distinguished Alumni Award presented by Belmont University

  • Johari Matthews, graduate of Glencliff High School, is the Vice President and Executive Director of ONE Community and the Tennessee Titans Foundation, where she leads the way in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.  
  • Rod McDaniel, graduate of McGavock High School, is the CEO of S3 Recycling Solutions, a nationally lauded IT asset disposition company serving clients across North America.
  • Evette White, graduate of Hillwood High School (now called James Lawson High School), is the Executive Director of Leadership Nashville, an executive program that strengthens Nashville through deep connections formed among diverse leaders.

Annette Eskind Inspiring Educator Award presented by UBS

  • Quanita Adams is a Computer Science and Mathematics educator at Stratford STEM Magnet High School, where she advances equitable access to high-quality STEM education.
  • Kevin Stevens is a 6th and 7th grade Math teacher and Instructional Leader at Head

Magnet Middle School (recently renamed Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet Middle at Head Campus).

Ronald L. Corbin Inspiring Leader Award presented by Lipscomb University

  • Dr. Michael Pratt is the Executive Principal of Stratford STEM Magnet High School and the 2025 MNPS High School Principal of the Year.

Thomas J. Sherrard Inspiring Innovation Award presented by Nissan

  • DYMON In The Rough (Dynamic Young Minorities of Nashville) is a trusted, community model, youth development nonprofit organization that has empowered girls, equipped leaders, and elevated communities across Nashville and Middle Tennessee for 14 years.
  • Girls Write Nashville is a creative youth development program that empowers teen artists through songwriting, music production, mentorship, and community.

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MNPS and Not-So-Secret Secrets

Nashville education blogger TC Weber highlights what some say are significant challenges around student discipline in MNPS.

It is one of the worst-kept secrets in MNPS that the district does not want to suspend students. Every teacher with any experience has a story about a serious discipline issue that went unresolved, was sent back to the classroom or somehow disappeared from the official narrative.

Weber also calls out a cozy political relationship between the Mayor and Director of Schools:

The hidden agenda doesn’t stop at the boardroom. Hardcastle questioned Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s loyalty to MNPS Superintendent Adrienne Battle. She wonders why he hasn’t spoken publicly about the district’s obvious problems or demanded greater accountability from its leadership. Referring to Battle’s relationship with O’Connell—and to the superintendent’s “friends” working in roles across the district—Hardcastle said it seems really “cliquey.”

It seems that way because it is.

As he heads toward reelection mode, Mayor O’Connell probably needs to follow the same advice as MNPS. A prime example would be his claims of “fixing” school start times. Don’t think for one minute the public doesn’t recognize that maneuver for what it is: a political solution designed to sound larger than the actual change.

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Education Foundation Pushes “Thriving Schools Framework”

The Nashville Public Education Foundation’s (NPEF) latest newsletter includes mention of the so-called “Thriving Schools Framework” that the organization says it wants to see adopted in MNPS.

Here’s more:

The Thriving Schools Framework is rooted in research and backed by real-world experience. Based on education research and focus groups with over 50 MNPS educators, our findings reflect what it takes to ensure all students thrive in school and the opportunities to initiate solutions that close gaps and eliminate barriers. While there’s no exclusive method for curating a thriving school, our framework aims to highlight and support the six conditions present in schools where all students thrive.

The six conditions for a thriving school:

  • Ambitious Instruction
  • Inclusive and Supportive School Culture
  • Engaging and Relevant Educational Experiences
  • Culture of Collaboration
  • Effective School Leadership 
  • Resource Alignment

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Saving Money on Back-to-School Needs

From WSMV in Nashville

Metro Nashville Public Schools will host a variety of back-to-school bashes where they will give away school supplies, offer activities and more.

  • July 23 – Glencliff cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
    • Glencliff High School
  • July 25 – Pearl-Cohn cluster back-to-school bash
    • 9 a.m. to noon
    • Hadley Park
  • July 29 – Signature B Schools/Arts schools back-to-school bash
    • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Nashville School of Arts
  • July 29 – Hillsboro cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Hillsboro High School
  • July 30 – Stratford cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Stratford STEM – Upper Campus
  • Aug. 1:
    • Magnet Schools:
      • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
      • E.S. Rose Park, 1000 Edgehill Avenue
    • Antioch cluster:
      • 9 a.m. to noon
      • Antioch High School
    • Cane Ridge cluster
      • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
      • Cane Ridge High School
  • Aug. 3 – Maplewood cluster back-to-school bash
    • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Maplewood High School
  • Aug. 4 – Signature C schools back-to-school bash
    • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Richland Park Community Center
  • Aug. 4 – Whites Creek cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Whites Creek High School
  • Aug. 5 – James Lawson cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • James Lawson High School
  • Aug. 5 – Hunters Lane cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Hunters Lane High School
  • Aug. 7 – Signature A Schools
    • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • The Academy at Old Cockrill
  • Aug. 8 – McGavock cluster back-to-school bash
    • 10 a.m. to noon
    • McGavock High School
  • Aug. 9 – Overton cluster back-to-school bash
    • 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
    • Nashville Zoo

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Nashville Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards

From the Nashville Public Education Foundation’s (NPEF) newsletter:

Are you or do you know someone who is an eligible educator who demonstrates excellence in leadership, instruction, or student success and opportunity? If so, submit an application. Applicants will undergo a rigorous application process, including a judging panel of public education stakeholders. Only 25 educators will be selected as winners and receive a $2,000 check, trophy, reception hosted by Vanderbilt University, and a round-trip flight courtesy of Southwest Airlines. 

The application is open for eligible educators through August 17, 2026.

Find out more and apply!

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Recipe for Success

TC Weber talks about what makes success in schools possible:

Metro Nashville Public Schools loves to celebrate the exceptional achievements of its student body. Every district does. Test score gains get packaged into press releases. Graduation rates become hashtags. State recognitions become LinkedIn celebrations for administrators and consultants.

But I can promise you this: ninety-five percent of student success comes from two things — individual hard work and a meaningful connection with a teacher willing to work every bit as hard as the student does.

And here’s the part central office rarely highlights: the system itself often makes both the student and the teacher jump through hoops in order to excel.

That’s where good principals matter.

A truly good principal creates the conditions for success. They protect teachers from unnecessary nonsense. They give educators the freedom and support to do extraordinary things. They recognize that education isn’t produced by a spreadsheet alignment meeting or a slogan printed on a banner. It’s produced by human beings building trust with other human beings.

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MNPS’s Battle Recognized by TN Superintendents Organization

The newsletter of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) notes:

The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents has selected MNPS Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle as the 2026 Mid-Cumberland Superintendent of the Year. The good news was announced while she was being honored during a TOSS Mid-Cumberland Superintendents’ Study Council. 

TOSS Executive Director Dr. Gary Lilly remarked, “Dr. Battle is truly leading the region in the impact she is having on students in Nashville…This award is a recognition from her peer superintendents in Mid-Cumberland of years’ worth of innovation and service.” 

Dr. Battle is the first MNPS graduate to lead the district, and the first woman in the role. In addition to the Superintendent of the Year award, she has recently received the following recognitions: 

  • Excellence in Family Engagement Award from AASA and National PTA.
  • A distinguished alumni honor from Missouri State University.
  • A new University of Tennessee, Knoxville partnership providing full-tuition scholarships to MNPS students.

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MNPS School Board Elections 2026

TC Weber offers some insight into this year’s round of Nashville school board elections:

Did you know the Metro Nashville Public Schools board is holding an election this year?

Go ahead. Be honest.

Yeah. That’s what I thought.

Let me catch you up.

This year, the even-numbered seats are up—Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8.

Districts 2 and 8? Incumbents. No challengers.

District 4 has two candidates.
District 6 has three.

All Democrats.

Which means once the primaries are done, all four winners will run unopposed.

So if you’re looking for sweeping change…

You might be looking in the wrong place.

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Learning Through Food

Students at one Nashville high school are learning about business management and cooking by operating a food truck, NewsChannel5 reports:

McGavock High School students are getting hands-on experience in both culinary arts and business management through their food truck program called Raider Bites.

The program, which launched in recent months, teaches students everything from cooking and food preparation to financial management and customer service. Matthew Long, a student who serves as sous chef of the food truck, said the experience has prepared him for college and beyond.

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2026 Nashville “Teacherpreneurs” Announced

A media release from the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) announces the 2026 class of Nashville Teacherpreneurs and explains more about the program:

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) announced the latest cohort of the Teacherpreneur program, marking its fifth year and continuing its partnership with founding supporter Amazon. Since 2021, the Teacherpreneur program has supported over 40 educators to develop their innovative solutions for removing barriers to student success, with winners receiving cash prizes and access to seed funding for implementation.

Some of the issues being considered by cohort members include creating employment certification pathways for multilingual students, increasing resources for family engagement programs, building support for first year teachers, and facilitating stronger connections to magnet school opportunities. The cohort experience will culminate in a pitch event in March 2026, where educators will present their ideas to a panel of community judges for a chance to win a share of $25,000, as well as funding to support the implementation of their ideas. The fifth Teacherpreneur cohort includes:

  • Courtney Antonello, H.G. Hill Middle School
  • Ashley Bolan, Hunters Lane High School
  • Mary Jo Cramb, Academy at Old Cockrill
  • Nakia Edwards, Oliver Middle School
  • Katie Fitzpatrick, Hume Fogg Magnet High School
  • Molly Goss, Cane Ridge High School
  • Heather Hall, East Nashville Magnet High School
  • Leigh Ann Harbort, Harris Hillman School
  • Madison Reeb, Valor College Prep
  • Likisha Rhodes, Cane Ridge High School
  • Louisa Saylor, Goodlettsville Elementary School
  • Debbie West, Waverly-Belmont Elementary School
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