New Award To Highlight “Inspiring Innovation” in Local Schools
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Public Education Foundation is seeking nominations for three awards to be presented at the organization’s 12th Annual Public Schools Hall of Fame Luncheon on Monday, Oct. 17, at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
The event has attracted record-breaking crowds the last several years and is increasingly seen as a “coming together” moment for the city to celebrate the importance of strong public schools to the city’s long-term economic and social success. Historically, the event has centered around two significant citywide honors – the Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award, which goes to an individual who has made a deep impact on the community and improving public schools, and the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes high-achieving graduates of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.
For the first time in the now 12-year history of the event, a third award is being introduced – the Inspiring Innovation Award. The award will recognize a teacher, initiative or school that exemplifies NPEF’s commitment to bringing bold, innovative strategies to our public schools.
“Each year, the Nashville Public Education Foundation honors dedicated individuals who strive to improve our community through their work with Nashville’s public schools. This year we’re adding a new twist,” said Ralph Davis, NPEF board chairman. “Our city has become known for its creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Our schools should be no exception. The Inspiring Innovation Award gives us a chance to spotlight outside-the-box approaches to education.”
NPEF is partnering with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center to select the recipient of this award.
“We are thrilled to partner with NPEF to highlight and encourage innovative ideas in public education,” said Stuart McWhorter, president and CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. “Innovation, creativity and ingenuity are at the core of our city’s success over the last decade. By highlighting these success stories, we hope to help spark even more great work.”
This year’s event has also been moved to the fall, in part to mark the start of a new chapter for the district with a new superintendent expected to be in place by that time, and will serve as a kick-off to a larger, citywide effort to strengthen and improve the public schools championed by NPEF as an outgrowth of Project RESET.
Nominations can be made for any of the three awards:
- Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award:
This award is given to a civic, business or political leader in the Nashville community who demonstrates the pinnacle of commitment and service to improving the quality of public education in MNPS. Past recipients have included people such as: Kix Brooks, Annette Eskind, Ralph and Juli Mosley, and Bill Purcell.
- Distinguished Alumni Award:
This award is given to high-achieving graduates of MNPS who are committed to public education, have displayed leadership in their respective professions and have made significant contributions to the community. Past recipients have included people such as: Decosta Jenkins, Beverly Keel, Robert Lipman and Brenda Wynn.
- Inspiring Innovation Award:
This is the inaugural year of this award. It will be given to an MNPS teacher, initiative or school that exemplifies NPEF’s commitment to bringing bold, innovative strategies to our public schools. NPEF is partnering with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center to review nominations and select the winning entry.
Community nominations can be submitted online at http://nashvillepef.wpengine.com/hall-of-fame/. The deadline for the Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Alumni Award is May 1. Nominations will be accepted for the Inspiring Innovation Award through June 1.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. If you are interested in being a sponsor or would like more information, please contact Margaret Di Giulio at [email protected].
About the Nashville Public Education Foundation
The Nashville Public Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to pulling together the vast intellectual, creative and financial resources of the Nashville community to create a shared vision of the city’s education system and provide the needed targeted resources to make it a reality.
