The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates the inaugural cohort of Leadership Public Education, a 6-month public education leadership development program empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to serve in community leadership roles at all levels of Metro Nashville Public Schools. Public education is a social, economic, and moral imperative for the sustainability and development of a prosperous Nashville region. Community leaders make decisions impacting the conditions for student achievement and workforce readiness, and the Nashville region needs well-prepared individuals willing and able to serve.
- Amanda Tossberg, Belmont University
- Artetta Webster, Nashville Electric Service
- Beth Cruz, Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office
- Colin Hunt, J.T. Moore Middle School
- Devin Lintzenich, Bass, Berry & Sims
- Elizabeth Knox, Bank of America
- Ellen O’Neal, HCA Healthcare
- Greg Bailey, Bailey & Company Public Relations
- Heather O’Connor, BB&T
- Jack Thomas, Fifth Third Bank
- Jake Wiley, PwC
- Janice Rodriguez, Tennessee Language Center
- Jarel Jackson, Cigna
- Jason Loggins, Bank of Tennessee
- Lance Couch, DPR Construction
- Lisa Smith, Tennessee State University
- Maria Paula Zapata, Conexión Américas
- Mary Claire Dismukes, Belmont University
- Megan McGuire, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville
- Melody Gibson, Nashville Civic Design Center
- Patricia Knight, HCA Healthcare
- Rachel Dyer, Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee
Participants, known as Fellows, learn and discuss the structures, challenges, and opportunities that impact Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) with experts in public education. Sessions include:
- Public School Funding
- MNPS Budget Process
- Education Policy, Law, and Equity
- Roles and Responsibilities of Board of Education and Director of Schools
- Teacher and Principal Talent Attraction and Retention
- Conflict Resolution and Effective Communication
Fellows also explore how they will apply their preparedness to carry out their educational leadership in our region. Fellows pursue community leadership roles including: parent-teacher organization, school or district-based advisory council, nonprofit board of directors, Academies of Nashville Partnership Council, Education Report Committee at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, MNPS Board of Education, Tennessee State Board of Education, and Metro-Nashville Davidson County boards and commissions.
