Category: Accountability

Are we holding our schools and ourselves accountable for educating all kids and giving every one of them a chance at a successful, fulfilling life?

Accountability, School Choice, Tennessee

Governor-Elect Lee: Let These 4 Things Guide Your Education Decisions

Dear Governor-Elect Lee: This will be short and sweet. As a political newcomer, it’s possible you are only peripherally familiar with the battles in and around education. The bloodiest of them are not found in the area of your residence, Williamson County, one of the wealthiest counties in the nation with the second highest performing school district in the state. Further, you may not be … Continue reading Governor-Elect Lee: Let These 4 Things Guide Your Education Decisions

Vesia Hawkins2 Comments
Accountability, Black Community, Nashville

Y’all Are Talking About The Director of School’s Attitude While 21 Schools Die In The Dark

A version of this post was first published in The Contributor, a community magazine created specifically for Nashville’s homeless and citizens in poverty “by creating economic opportunity with dignity.” Vendors are allowed to purchase the magazine for a minimal cost and sell them at a higher price to ensure a hefty profit margin. The program is wildly successful as it has helped numerous women and … Continue reading Y’all Are Talking About The Director of School’s Attitude While 21 Schools Die In The Dark

Vesia Hawkins2 Comments
Accountability, Nashville, Tennessee

Happy Birthday To Me: Parents Are Not To Blame For Nation’s Literacy Crisis

A wise woman once told me in my twenties “we all have a little girl inside us hurting and hopeful. And we have to honor her, too.” I think about Little Vesia all the time, as it is she who guides my advocacy and passion for the ignored, and commitment to the unheard. Like the woman, the little girl is eager to serve without condition … Continue reading Happy Birthday To Me: Parents Are Not To Blame For Nation’s Literacy Crisis

Vesia Hawkins1 Comment
Accountability, Black Community, Nashville, School Choice, Tennessee

Nashville Can’t Keep Whitewashing Its Problem Educating Black and Brown Students

Interested parties have known about it for weeks. Many people have sat in front me over coffee referring to the “rumors” about the “potential” number of schools on the dreaded Tennessee Department of Education’s priority list. But they already knew. They knew the list of Nashville schools performing in the state’s bottom 5 percent would reach into the twenties. That every single school on the … Continue reading Nashville Can’t Keep Whitewashing Its Problem Educating Black and Brown Students

Vesia Hawkins4 Comments
Accountability, Black Community, Nashville

Can We Talk Education Like We Talk Football?

Football fans in Tennessee are sobering up from a rare, dizzying weekend of winning. We celebrated University of Tennessee’s shutout of UTEP and Vanderbilt’s performance at South Bend against the Fighting Irish, even though they lost it was a solid showing. I’m still reeling from the news that my alma mater, Austin Peay State University with its young rockstar coach (who will without a doubt … Continue reading Can We Talk Education Like We Talk Football?

Vesia Hawkins3 Comments
Accountability, Nashville

Middle School Parents Need Statistics Degree To Understand Student Info

The father of two Metro Schools students and twins due in December walked up to me with these words: “Ms. Vesia, you know anything about these progress reports?” Ms. Vesia has not seen a progress in many years. Ms. Vesia is thrilled about this fact and all too eager to relay the message. But not even my smugness could deter the guy from walking to … Continue reading Middle School Parents Need Statistics Degree To Understand Student Info

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Accountability, Black Community, Nashville

Is The New Nashville An Egotistical Opportunist With A Wobbly Soul?

New Nashville appears to be developing into a privileged, poverty-hating, gentrification train railroading anyone without resources to help it reach the top. Sounds so Kardashian, right? Last night, after months of corporate-to-politician glad-handing and backroom skullduggery, Metro Council voted to approve a new MLS soccer stadium on beloved real estate near the city’s core. The “fairgrounds”, the former home of the annual state fair and … Continue reading Is The New Nashville An Egotistical Opportunist With A Wobbly Soul?

Vesia Hawkins1 Comment