Congratulations Nashville and the Metro Nashville Public School Board on selection of a new Director of Schools
Conexión Américas commends the Nashville School Board and the broader Nashville community on a successful selection process for the Director of Schools. Conexión Américas has been deeply engaged with MNPS for nine years, working with Latino parents and students across the district. We were fortunate to have a role in the selection process by creating multiple opportunities for the community we serve to share their experiences, aspirations and goals for public education in Nashville. Co-founder and Executive Director Renata Soto served on the Director Search Advisory Committee, which helped identify the profile for candidates and articulate priorities for the next Director of Schools. We were pleased to host each of the three final candidates at Casa Azafrán, where they toured the MNPS Early Learning Center and met with students from Glencliff, Maplewood, Overton, STEM Prep, Stratford, and Hume Fogg High Schools.
Nashville came together as a community, recognizing the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive process, as well as the critical role the Director of Schools plays in shaping the future of Nashville’s children. We appreciate the leadership of the Nashville Public Education Foundation and the Mayor’s Office, who co-led the Search Advisory Committee.
“We commend the School Board for their commitment to completing the search in a rigorous and transparent manner. Their selection of Dr. Shawn Joseph is evidence of their vision to ensuring the students, staff and families of Nashville have an exceptional leader to take us forward,” says Soto. “We pledge to partnering with Dr. Joseph as the new Director of Schools and urge him to build upon Nashville’s commitment to higher standards, stronger accountability, and an increased focus on equitable outcomes for students of color, and those learning English or living with a disability,” she added.
“We are ready to sharpen our pencils and support our next Director of Schools to ensure every child in Nashville has a world-class education.”