Nashville’s Leading Teacher Lifestyle Magazine
City Educators MNPS Employee
Wellness Center Grand Opening
6 Bills Proposed, Passed, and Signed into Law 4 New Executive Directors 4 New Community Superintendants
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City Educators Editorial Submission For editorial consideration, please visit cityeducators.com/editorial-submission
Summer 2017
8The MNPS Employee Wellness Center at Berry Hill gives the district's 10,000 employees access to a state-of-the-art facility with medical physical therapy and behavioral health services, an onsite pharmacy, a full-service fitness center and a health-conscious cafĂŠ.
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4 Adventure Science Ctr.
12 Community Superintendants
The Adventure Science Center names new CEO.
Metro Schools transitions four new community superintendents.
6 Fundraising Ideas
14 New Executive Directors
Discover how to create Metro Nashville Public Schools an online bookstore for announced the hiring of four your school. new executive directors of school support and improvement (EDSSI). 10 Tennessee Education Read about the six bills proposed, passed, and signed into law.
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Advertising Inquiries For advertising opportunities, please visit cityeducators.com/advertise or contact (615) 832-5388 michael@michaeldavidmedia.com Contact Information Published by Michael David Media P.O. Box 331395 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 832-5388 | Fax (615) 832-1040 www.cityeducators.com info@cityeducators.com
CITY EDUCATORS is published quarterly (fall, winter, spring, and summer) by Michael David Media, Dr. Michael Thompson, Owner. Post Office Box 331395, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, (615) 832-5388. DISTRIBUTION: Free subscription to qualified recipients. See Website for additional distribution information. All rights are strictly reserved, and reproduction in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher. CITY EDUCATORS is funded privately and is not affiliated with--nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of--the local school district, education associations, its advertisers, or any other entity. CITY EDUCATORS is printed in the USA. Web address: http://www.michaeldavidmedia.com. Copyright Š 2017 Michael David Media.
CITY EDUCATORS MAGAZINE
Founder/Publisher Dr. Michael Thompson
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Adventure Science Center Announces Steve Hinkley as CEO The Board of Trustees of Adventure Science Center today announced Steve Hinkley, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hinkley was most recently the President and CEO of M OX I , T h e Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara, California. He will replace acting CEO, Tina Brown, who will resume her role as Director of Operations and Exhibits. 4
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dventure Science Center has brought science to life for people of all generations in Tennessee and across the nation for over 70 years. The Center offers hands-on science exhibits and engaging public and school programs and is home to nationally renowned Sudekum Planetarium. The Science Center is dedicated to opening minds to the wonders of science and technology, fostering a better understanding of the world and ourselves. Steve Hinkley will give that mission new energy and a new voice.
"Steve Hinkley is a visionary with an impressive career in science museum leadership and a talent for taking organizations to new heights of innovation and creativity,” said Tom Trent, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are confident Steve will continue to drive the exciting change and revitalization happening at the Science Center.” Over the past seven months, Adventure Science Center has installed over $200,000 in new exhibits including www.cityeducators.com
Galactic Gardens, a new outdoor garden space and amphitheater and Innovation Incubator, an innovation lab with 3D printers and laser cutters. The center is also gearing up for a rare total solar eclipse on August 21st with plans for a Music City Solar Eclipse Festival and Viewing Party. Mr. Hinkley began his career as a science educator, gaining valuable experience working as a physics, biology and physiology teacher and science department head. His years working with students led Mr. Hinkley to conclude that, “science education should do more than prepare students to adapt to the future—it should enable and empower them to define it.” In pursuit of his desire to share science with a broader audience, Mr. Hinkley left teaching to spend seven years as Vice President of Programs at the renowned Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Hinkley spearheaded the development of engaging exhibit content and directed all aspects of the museum's ambitious exhibitions and educational programs.
Center in early July. “Working with a beloved and established organization like the Adventure Science Center at this unique time in its history is an extraordinary opportunity,” said Steve Hinkley, incoming President and CEO of Adventure Science Center. “I have been so impressed by the board, existing management and local support for the center and look forward to working with them and the rest of the community to further build on the center's success.” Adventure Science Center retained DHR International to conduct a nationwide search for their new CEO and worked closely with James Abruzzo and Kara Teising, who leads the local DHR office. “Steve was one of many distinguished and experienced candidates to apply for the position, but his innovative ideas, his passion for science, and his exciting vision of the future of Adventure Science Center made him stand out from the start,” said James Abruzzo, Managing Partner, Global Nonprofit Practice.
Most recently Mr. Hinkley spent two years leading the MOXI through the successful construction and grand opening of a new, 25,000-square foot, cutting-edge science center in the heart of Santa Barbara. Mr. Hinkley will relocated to Nashville with his wife, Morgan, and two-year-old son, Blake, and take the helm at Adventure Science
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How can the convenience of shopping from anywhere help my school, class or club? Bookstores can be a great idea and are very successful for some schools, but not all schools have the resources, space, or the personnel to support it.
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t also requires funds to keep the bookstore stocked with products. Many schools who do not have access to these resources must rely on word-of-mouth and a pre-sale of usually one item at a time to try and generate any school spirit or event awareness.
Here is a great example: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You are the cheer coach and you want to sell t-shirts to raise money for the cause and get the students involved. So, all the members agree to go out and try to take orders for shirts! I can tell you that more times than not, you end up with just the team members and maybe a few
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extra sold. Like many things for students, out of sight...out of mind, they don’t like selling and they have so many other things competing for their time. Here is our solution: We will create a web page for you. The link can be spread around via social media, promoted via emails or mass text, posted in the classrooms, or on the school’s general web page.
at their convenience and no one has to collect money or keep track of orders. We handle all the details and provide you with a check and the garments for the customers. If this sounds like something that could help you and your school or classroom, please give John a call at Advantage Screen Printing (615) 824-1777.
In this case, parents, friends, alumni, or anyone who wants to support the cause can log on and buy the color they want and the size they need
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www.cityeducators.com
The MNPS Employee Wellness Center at Berry Hill gives the district's 10,000 employees access to a state-of-the-art facility with medical, physical therapy and behavioral health services, an onsite pharmacy, a full-service fitness center and a health-conscious cafĂŠ. The Employee Wellness Center is a $7 million, 26,000 square-foot facility. All construction costs were funded by the savings incurred from the Teachers Health Plan, a self-funded medical plan for certificated employees, and the use of the MNPS Employee and Family Health Care Centers. No taxpayer dollars were used in funding this center.
CITY EDUCATORS MAGAZINE
Spring 2017
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Education News in Tennessee
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Bills Proposed, Passed, and Signed into Law
“Our team has enjoyed working with the General Assembly throughout this legislative session to ensure we have the right policies to support our students and teachers. By passing these bills, the General Assembly has provided the consistency and stability desired by our educators and is helping us to build on the progress we have made. We appreciate their support in our shared goal to provide all of Tennessee's students with the opportunities to be successful in their chosen path in life.” – Commissioner McQueen
Public Chapter 192 – Use of Assessment Data Ÿ This legislation resets the phase-in of TNReady at 10 percent for the 2016-17 school year, 20 percent for the 2017-18 school year, and then back to 35 percent for the 2018-19 school year to account for the impact of the unexpected suspension of assessments in grades 3-8 in 2015-16. Ÿ Adjusts the percentage of TNReady scores that must be included in a student's final grade for grades 3-8 to 10 percent for the 2016-17 school year; 15 percent for the 201718 school year; and between 15 percent and 25 percent, based on local board decision, for the 2018-19 school year and beyond. Public Chapter 177 – Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Ÿ This legislation updates Tennessee's district and school accountability requirements to align with the new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Ÿ Only Priority schools that represent schools in the bottom 5 percent and high schools that have 67 percent or lower graduation rate will be eligible for ASD.
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Ÿ Includes ESSA flexibility around graduation rates. Ÿ Redefines exit criteria for schools placed in the ASD and
realigns mission of the ASD to serving only lowest performing schools. Public Chapter 152 – Ensuring the Education of Students Incarcerated in Detention Centers Ÿ This legislation requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations to ensure the education of public school students incarcerated in the 17 juvenile detention centers located in Tennessee. Ÿ The rules and regulations will ensure that the appropriate LEA serving students where a juvenile detention center is located provides educational services to incarcerated youth during the time of their incarceration. Ÿ It will also ensure the transfer of Basic Education Program (BEP) funding and the student's educational records. HB 310/SB 1197 – High Quality Charter Schools Ÿ This legislation enacts the Tennessee High-Quality Charter Schools Act, which aims to increase the number of high performing charter schools in Tennessee by requiring charter authorizers to adopt high quality authorizing practices; establishes an authorizer fee to be paid by charter schools to the LEA for costs associated with charter authorizing, clarifies funding procedures for charter schools; and establishes a charter schools facility grant and loan fund that can be used by charter schools
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to purchase school facilities or for renovation and maintenance costs. HB 63/ SB 584 – Individualized Education Account Ÿ This legislation clarifies the current Individualized Education Account (IEA) statute and aligns current law with the original intent of the legislation. Ÿ Specifically, the legislation adds two disabilities to the list of disabilities that qualify for the IEA Program: developmental delay and multiple disabilities; updates the assessment language for students with disabilities; allows the department to conduct random, quarterly, or annual reviews of IEAs, instead of all three types of reviews; and increases the administration fee retained by the department from 4 percent to 6 percent. HB 322/ SB 1210 – School Bus Safety Ÿ This legislation is aimed at increasing the safety of school bus transportation in Tennessee. Ÿ The bill requires all school districts and charter schools to appoint a transportation supervisor that is responsible for monitoring and overseeing student transportation. Each training supervisor must oversee a compliant process and must see that all complaints are investigated and reported on. Ÿ Additionally, the bill requires all new bus drivers to complete a school bus driver training program based on standards developed by the Department of Education and the Department of Safety prior to transporting any students. Ÿ This bill also increases the minimum age to 25 for individuals obtaining the Class “S” endorsement on a license.
Nashville Cash and Carry would like to thank the teachers, administrators, and staff of MNPS for your patronage with our store. Our goal is to provide the best customer service anywhere.
Nashville As a thank you, we Cash and Carry are offering the same discount is your food, party, pricing to MNPS and kitchen smallware employees that the supplier for school district receives. work and at home. Just show us your MNPS photo name badge to receive the discount.
5001 Charlotte Pike 615-298-2250
NashvilleCashandCarry.com
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4Community Su MNPS
Metro Schools transitions four new community superintendents. The new organizational structure, announced in February, will allow for better planning and coordination across all grade levels in support of the district’s new Strategic Framework.
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he new structure will better equip the district to mobilize local resources to support students an families through expanded collaborations with civic, community, business and faith-based organizations. The community superintendents will serve on the Director’s Executive Leadership Team. They will transition into their new roles on May 31 with July 1 as their official start date. The district repurposed four existing executive officer positions to create the four community superintendents, who will each supervise onequarter of the existing clusters and the schools located within those clusters. The change will eliminate the current tiered supervisory structure for elementary, middle, high and priority schools. The district expects to make additional announcements in the coming weeks regarding other changes required to support this new structure. The community superintendent model is considered a national best practice for K-12 urban school districts by The Council for the Great City Schools, an organization representing the top 100 largest school systems in the country. “Our new community superintendents are veteran MNPS educators who have the leadership skills, knowledge of our students’ needs and understanding of community and instructional experience that is critical for supporting greater academic achievement among all students,” said Director of Schools Dr. Shawn Joseph.
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The community superintendents, all former principals, were chosen by selection committees composed of parents, central office staff, community and business leaders, members of the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor’s Office representatives, community-based organizations and other partners unique to each of the four new service areas. Dr. Adrienne Battle will oversee all schools located within the Antioch, Cane Ridge and Glencliff clusters. Dr. Battle brings more than 20 years of academic leadership experience within Metro Schools to her new post. She is currently an executive lead principal for priority and elementar y schools, a position she has held since 2016. Prior to that, Dr. Battle spent fou r years as the executive principal at Antioch High School and two years as the academic principal and assistant principal at Glencliff High School. She held other leadership and teaching positions within Metro Schools for the past 14 years and also served as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Phoenix and Tennessee State University. She holds master’s, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees from Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s from Missouri State University. www.cityeducators.com
uperintendents Dr. Dottie Critchlow will oversee all schools located within the Hillsboro, Hillwood and Overton clusters. Dr. Critchlow brings more than 29 years of teaching and administrative experience to her new position. Currently, she is an executive lead principal for elementary schools, a position she has held since 2015. She taught in school districts in Mississippi and Ohio before joining Metro Schools in 1998. During her tenure at Metro Schools, Dr. Critchlow has served as a teacher, an assistant principal at Haywood Elementary School, a principal at Park Avenue and Hickman Elementary Schools, and executive officer for instructional support. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Akron, Ohio, and a doctorate from Trevecca University. Dr. Pippa Meriwether will oversee all schools located within the Hunters Lane, PearlCohn and Whites Creek clusters. Dr. Meriwether graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in English and spent several years in the private sector before becoming an educator. She holds master’s, educational specialist and doctorate degrees from Tennessee State University, and has 22 years of teaching and administrative experience. Dr. Meriwether joined Metro Schools in 1995 and
worked as a Title I tutor, classroom teacher and behavior specialist, and served as principal of Kirkpatrick Elementary School before becoming an executive lead principal in 2010. Dr. Damon Cathey will oversee all schools located within the Stratford, McGavock and Maplewood clusters. Dr. Cathey’s 21-year career includes time spent as a teacher and administrator within Metro Schools, as well as leadership roles in charter schools, private schools and Kingsport City Schools. He currently serves as an executive lead principal with Metro Schools. He has served as the executive principal for DuPont-Tyler Middle Prep, McKissack K-8 Professional Development School (now McKissack Middle Prep), John Early Paideia Middle School and Jones Paideia Magnet School. He also served as the assistant principal of Donelson Middle and the director of school reform and chief academic officer for the Inspirational Schools Partnership that worked with the district to support 34 of its highest priority schools. In addition, Dr. Cathey served as assistant superintendent for Kingsport City Schools, the director of the Moreno Valley Paideia Charter High School in New Mexico, and was the first headmaster of New Hope Academy in Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Cathey holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis, an administrative certification from Tennessee State University, and a doctorate from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. CITY EDUCATORS MAGAZINE
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New Executive Directors of 4School Support and Improvement Metro Nashville Public Schools announced the hiring of four new executive directors of school support and improvement (EDSSI). These four new positions, all currently serving in administrative roles with Metro Schools, will directly support the 'new community-based organizational structure and the districts four community superintendents. With the partnership and leadership of the community superintendent and the Office of School Support and Improvement, as well as additional collaboration with other Metro Schools departments, the EDSSI will work to establish quick, effective responses to local school needs related to instructional leadership, effective teaching and learning and student performance. 14
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he EDSSI will model and encourage innovative and effective instructional leadership. Four EDSSI positions have been filled; two remain vacant. “We are excited to continue to deliver on our mission of exceeding great expectations by filling these four positions with highly-qualified personnel,” said Sito Narcisse, Ed.D., chief of schools. “These employees have vast knowledge of Metro Schools and unparalleled educational experience that will be invaluable in their new roles.” The EDSSIs will transition to their new roles on July 1. Their cluster assignments will be determined at a later date. Craig Hammond, Ed.D., brings more than 14 years of teaching, coaching and administrative leadership to his new position. He is currently the www.cityeducators.com
executive principal at West End InterTrevecca Nazarene University. She “These employees national Baccalaureate World School. has a bachelor's in Psychology Hammond has served as an advisor have vast knowl- from TSU. edge of Metro for various committees for the Tennessee Department of Education and Schools and unpar- Susan Cochrane brings more than as a state trainer for common core stan- alleled educational 27 years of teaching and leadership dards and the Tennessee Educator experience to her new role. She is curexperience that will rently Acceleration Model evaluation the executive principal at (TEAM) process. He also served as an be invaluable in Cockrill Elementary, a role she has adjunct professor at Lipscomb Univer- their new roles.� held since 2011. Cochrane has served sity. Hammond has a doctorate degree as a network lead principal, curricuin Leadership and Professional Practice from lum coordinator, reading specialist and assistant Trevecca Nazarene University, and a master's in principal. Cochrane has a master's in AdministraAdministration and Supervision and a bachelor's tion and Supervision and a bachelor's in Elemenin History Education from Lipscomb University. tary Education from TSU. Chaerea Snorten, Ed.D., is currently the executive principal at Nashville Big Picture High School, a position she has held since 2010. Throughout her 16 years with Metro Schools, she has served as a school counselor, a Learning through Internship coordinator and an assistant principal. Snorten also served as a training facilitator for the Work-Based Learning Leadership Council and an advisory leader for the Big Picture Learning Network. Snorten has a doctorate degree in Administration and Supervision, a master's in pre-K-12 Guidance and Counseling and a bachelor's in Social Work, all from Tennessee State University (TSU). Erin Anderson, Ed.D., brings 17 years of educational leadership, school counseling and program coordination experience to her new role. She is currently the executive principal at Wright Middle Prep. Anderson has served on Nashville's Music Makes Us Advisory Council, Vanderbilt University's Council for Teaching and Learning and Alignment Nashville's Council for Integration of International Families. Anderson received her doctorate degree in Leadership and Professional Practice and master's in Educational Leadership from
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Tennessee Tech University is a constituent university of the Tennessee Board of Regents. TTU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (gender), disability (ability), or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of Diversity & Legal Affairs, PO Box 5164, Cookeville, TN 38505, 931-372-3016; affirmact@tntech.edu. CED104-PRNT-16