The Tennessee Firefly

22/07/2025

Jeremy Sager has helped students in Memphis and Nashville achieve success. His ‘Two-Educator Model’ Novus SMART Academy could do even more in Rutherford County.

Read the full story 👇

22/07/2025

📣 Big news for Tennessee education! The state has been selected as one of 12 participants in the Lumina Foundation’s FutureReady States initiative.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission will focus on defining stackable credentials and creating clearer, more flexible pathways for adult learners and working professionals.

From CPR certifications to online Excel courses, this effort will help Tennesseans turn every learning experience into a stepping stone toward a degree or a high-quality job. 💼🎓

📍 Learn how this will impact students, rural communities, and the future of Tennessee’s workforce:

Tennessee is one of 12 states selected to improve stackable credentials and expand access to education for adult learners through Lumina’s FutureReady States.

18/07/2025

Seven Republican lawmakers and one Democrat have been named to a new committee that’s studying testing and teacher evaluation reductions.

Read the full story 👇

18/07/2025

🎉 Big news for Tennessee education!

The Tennessee Department of Education and Metro Nashville Public Schools were honored this week at the 2025 ACT State and District Summit for their bold efforts to boost college and career readiness.

🏆 TDOE received the State College and Career Champion Award
🏆 MNPS received the K-12 Policy Champion Award

From state-funded ACT testing to forward-thinking district policies, this recognition highlights what’s working in public education.

📖 Read more about the national spotlight on TN here:

TDOE and Metro Nashville Public Schools recognized by ACT for boosting college and career readiness through data-driven, statewide and district-level strategies.

17/07/2025

A new poll confirms support for school choice. Thanks to Gov. Bill Lee and the state legislature, Tennessee students have more ways than ever before to achieve success.

Read the full article from the Tennessee Firefly: https://www.tnfirefly.com/news/new-poll-tennessee-republican-voters-strongly-back-school-choice-academic-accountability

17/07/2025

Franklin Special School District’s Ginger Colvett is a 2025–26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year finalist—and it's easy to see why.

From movement-based learning and high expectations to deep cultural empathy and a heart for English Learners, Colvett champions belonging and opportunity in every lesson.

Read how this passionate educator is shaping lives through literacy and love of learning: 👇

Discover how Franklin Special School District’s Ginger Colvett, a 2025–26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year finalist, is transforming literacy instruction and creating a sense of belonging for English Learners through culturally responsive teaching.

16/07/2025

John Rose for Tennessee reports $1.1 million in contributions on his first filing for the 2026 Tennessee Governor’s race. That amount is on par with multiple gubernatorial contenders in comparable races. Adam "Ditch" Kurtz leads campaign contributions for early Democratic Party hopefuls.

Read the full story 👇

16/07/2025

Big news for outdoor education in Nashville! 🌿📚

Tennessee Nature Academy recently received a $2 million land donation to build a permanent 23-acre campus in Davidson County—featuring wetlands, a stream, forest trails, and space for agriculture.

This tuition-free public charter school offers an education model usually only found in private or homeschool settings—and it’s expanding to serve more families.

“This donation is a game changer for our community,” said founding director Jay Renfro.

📍The new site near Cane Ridge Park will bring hands-on, nature-based learning to even more students.

Read the full story + see what’s coming next:
🔗 https://www.tnfirefly.com/todays-top-story/tennessee-nature-academy-receives-2-million-land-donation-for-permanent-nature-based-campus-in-davidson-countyelytlyaem

Tennessee Nature Academy, a tuition-free public charter school, secures a 23-acre permanent campus in Cane Ridge through a $2 million land donation. The nature-based school will expand hands-on, outdoor education for grades 5–12 in the Antioch community.

15/07/2025

💼 Tennessee workers are falling behind.

A new national study finds that only 12% of nondegree credentials—like certificates and industry certifications—result in meaningful wage growth.

Yet housing prices across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga continue to soar.

📊 Dive into the data and explore what leaders are doing to address the gap in the comments below.

15/07/2025

When Republican voters were asked who they trust most to make decisions about their children's education, 70% of respondents chose parents. Good thing Tennessee is empowering parents with the implementation of universal school choice!

The Tennessee Firefly shares more about the new poll in their recent article: https://www.tnfirefly.com/news/new-poll-tennessee-republican-voters-strongly-back-school-choice-academic-accountability

15/07/2025

New commentary from Tennesseans for Student Success: A lesser-known provision in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill could help bridge the gap between postsecondary education and workforce readiness.

Read the full story 👇

15/07/2025

✨ From a toddler-sized dream to a statewide spotlight ✨

Anderson County’s Chrissy Rose has wanted to be a teacher since she could talk—and now she’s a Tennessee Teacher of the Year finalist making waves far beyond her fourth-grade classroom.

Her story is full of heart, innovation, and the kind of everyday magic that keeps kids coming back to class with a smile.
💛 Read it here → http://bit.ly/4lUVIHA