Author: Vesia Hawkins

Extremely passionate about education choices, fairness, and good football.
Accountability, Nashville

Is Dr. Joseph Still the Guy to Get the Job Done?

Look, I don’t know what on earth is happening at 2601 Bransford Avenue (MNPS Central Office), but since we first heard from the director about the school district’s current budget and plans for the proposed budget, board-director relations and public opinion have been volatile, to say the least. After learning of the $7 million loss in state funding – discovered in February – our world … Continue reading Is Dr. Joseph Still the Guy to Get the Job Done?

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Nashville, School Choice

Finally, These Schools Can Stop Worrying About Facilities and Put That Energy and Money Into Educating Our Kids

It’s a little-known fact that charters schools are on the hook for their own facilities. Charter schools are saddled with spending a portion of the local and state funding attached to a student — meant for teaching and learning — on facilities. Additionally, charter leaders are forced to spend time locating a building and in a growing city like Nashville, that is challenging and expensive. … Continue reading Finally, These Schools Can Stop Worrying About Facilities and Put That Energy and Money Into Educating Our Kids

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Black Community, Nashville

Communities of Resurrection: A Post-Easter Message of Social Justice and Hope

Volume and Light is all about social justice, particularly as it relates to education. But today’s post is a little different. This week I attended a sermon given by my friend Morgan Stafford who I’d been asking to be a guest on my blog. Morgan invited me to coffee last year after reading my op-ed on Nashville’s growing prosperity on the backs of the undereducated, … Continue reading Communities of Resurrection: A Post-Easter Message of Social Justice and Hope

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School Choice

Honoring the Life of Dr. King and One of His Most Powerful Messages

Today, I’m only one of a chorus of voices commemorating the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Even if my words get lost amongst the pack of posts, blogs, articles, memes, and quotes – it’s ok. Fifty years ago today, America’s greatest champion was silenced. We lost the man, but thank goodness his message lives on! (More on this later) April 4, 2018. 50 … Continue reading Honoring the Life of Dr. King and One of His Most Powerful Messages

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Nashville, School Choice

Nashville Parent Kimberly Robinson Shares Her Story

I have lived in Nashville for the last nine years. I came to Nashville after college and I have worked in education for the past twelve years. I worked in the private sector through college and when I came to Nashville I first worked as a classroom teacher, then transitioned to an office administrator and ended up in school leadership. Eight years ago when I … Continue reading Nashville Parent Kimberly Robinson Shares Her Story

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School Choice

The Most Controversial Budget In Recent Memory Gets A Do-Over; Still Contentious

Metro Schools’ budget process has been an ordeal! News of the $7.5 million loss due to an “unexpected” dip in enrollment combined with news of the reallocation of federal funding from poor schools to poorer schools was just too much. Not surprisingly, director of schools Shawn Joseph has been under fire since communicating these things in a letter to teachers, subsequently calling for a spending … Continue reading The Most Controversial Budget In Recent Memory Gets A Do-Over; Still Contentious

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Accountability, Nashville

Allison Simpson: “I’m Tired”

The headline struck me: “Metro Nashville schools plan could increase funding at some schools and make cuts at 49 others.” I never would’ve imagined turning on my computer and seeing the above headline. As if our school system didn’t have enough issues, we are now losing funding. The district received over $33 million in Title I funds last year, but for the upcoming school year … Continue reading Allison Simpson: “I’m Tired”

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