Grant supports new Nashville teacher mentoring

Lipscomb University has received a $150,000 grant from the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation to fund a new professional development program for recent graduates. The initiative targets alumni of the Educator Scholars program, a scholarship track that recruits Nashville residents to teach in local schools. The funding will support additional mentoring and training as these new teachers enter the workforce.

The program addresses high turnover rates in the education sector. A 2023 Tennessee Education Research Alliance survey found that teachers in their first five years are significantly more likely to leave the profession than experienced staff. Nationally, a 2024 Center for American Progress report stated that 44% of new teachers quit within five years. Laura Delgado, director of the Educator Scholars program, said the university aims to help aspiring educators find their footing as both professionals and individuals. The program currently serves 56 students studying to become teachers.

This fall, 11 Educator Scholar alumni and senior students are receiving the additional support. This group includes first- and second-year full-time teachers who are participating in five training sessions. They will also receive one-on-one mentoring from working teachers in Nashville. The program launched this summer with a two-day on-campus training session. A pre-training survey indicated that participants struggled most with self-care, financial literacy, and workplace issues rather than academic topics.

Ruby Aguilar, the Educator Scholars success coordinator, and Angelica Wright, the program recruiter, both coordinate the initiative. Aguilar and Wright are former Educator Scholars and Nashville teachers who identified mental health, stress, and financial literacy as common challenges for young teachers. Many graduates are the first in their families to hold jobs with benefits and insurance, requiring new approaches to work-life balance. The summer training included yoga, nutrition advice, a conflict resolution panel, and information on Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools benefits. Financial counseling was provided by the United Way.

Karla Zapata, a second-year kindergarten teacher at Haywood Elementary School, said the training helped her understand Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools benefits and insurance options. She learned the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout. Zapata stated she hopes to stay in teaching until retirement and is now looking into hiring a nutritionist. Another participant noted that the training helped them see how teaching exists parallel to their adult life, providing reassurance about the non-academic aspects of the job.

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools provides general professional development, but the new grant allows for more personalized training tailored to the specific needs of this small group. Aguilar said the trainings are student-led based on survey results. The Educator Scholars cohort format provides strong peer support during school, which can fade once students enter the workforce. The program aims to strengthen these bonds through interactive activities with speakers. Feedback from the summer session will inform upcoming workshops for current students and interns.

The grant will fund the program for three years. Coordinators plan to increase the number of participants annually. The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation focuses on outcome-driven initiatives in education, faith-based projects, and work impacting Knoxville.