Participants in the teacher education pathway will receive a teaching license as well as a master’s degree, and then will become an educator in one of the Metro Nashville Public School district’s high-need areas.
Lipscomb University and Metro Nashville Public Schools have come together to establish a teacher preparation pathway that will give individuals with bachelor degrees the ability to take online courses that will provide them with a master’s degree and a teaching license and employment with Metro Nashville Public Schools when their education is complete. Taking part in the program will cost little to nothing, as tuition and fees will be covered, as well as textbooks and a Praxis exam voucher. After completing the teacher preparation pathway, these individuals will receive a placement in a Metro Nashville Public Schools classroom that is in particular need of educators, including K-5 with a Special Education dual endorsement, K-8 or 6-12 Special Education Interventionist, K-12 Special Education Comprehensive, 6-12 Mathematics, 6-12 Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics), K-12 English Language Learners (ELL), and K-12 Spanish.
According to an article on Lipscomb University’s website, Candice McQueen, the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “Strong educators are the foundation of student achievement, and this partnership is a meaningful investment in the success of our students and our city. We are proud to work alongside MNPS to open new doors for those who want to make a difference in the classroom while equipping them with the tools to excel.”
The teacher preparation pathway will officially launch this January, and the courses will all be online. Students will also be able to access personalized support from the Lipscomb University campus, which is located in Nashville. The pathway program is beneficial for students who will receive a teaching license and a master’s degree, all at no cost, and placement in a Metro Nashville classroom. The school district will receive a steady stream of well educated and prepared teachers to educate students in some of the districts’ highest need classrooms, meaning there are many openings for teachers, like special needs, math, and Spanish.
This teacher preparation pathway comes on the heels of an earlier, similar effort that is still ongoing: Leading and Innovating for Future Teachers (LIFT) program, which began in 2022. The LIFT program recruits students in Metro Nashville Public Schools who want to become teachers, who will then enter the teacher preparation program for free at Lipscomb University, and in turn, return to Metro Nashville Public Schools to teach.
Adrienne Battle, the superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, said of this new collaboration, “We are thrilled to deepen our long-standing partnership with Lipscomb University. This program reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every student has access to highly qualified teachers and creating opportunities for individuals to pursue their passion for education.”
Leslie Cowell, dean of the College of Education, added, “We are excited to launch this partnership with MNPS and support the development of new teachers who will have a lasting impact on the future of our students. Our mission is to equip educators with the skills and strategies they need to succeed, and we are proud to be a partner in ensuring that every student in Nashville has the opportunity to learn from a highly qualified, dedicated teacher.”
For more information about Lipscomb University, visit the school’s website.