Lipscomb University, Metro Nashville Public Schools collaborate to expand pathways for aspiring educators
Lipscomb’s nationally acclaimed teacher preparation program launches new initiative to empower future educators.
Kim Chaudoin |
Lipscomb University and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) are joining forces to expand opportunities for individuals to pursue a teaching career through innovative pathways to licensure.
The program offers participants the opportunity to pursue teaching licensure at no cost, with the convenience of online classes complemented by individualized support, coaching, and ongoing communication. Participants also benefit from faculty-supported Praxis exam preparation to help ensure their success. The program focuses on addressing high-need licensure areas, including K-5 with a Special Education dual endorsement, K-8 or 6-12 Special Education Interventionist, K-12 Special Education Comprehensive, 6-12 Mathematics, 6-12 Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics), K-12 English Language Learners (ELL), and K-12 Spanish.
Courses in this new partnership are offered fully online and are intentionally designed to connect directly to the daily work of teachers, ensuring that coursework is immediately applicable to their classrooms. This approach addresses a common need voiced by educators and ensures that participants can see the impact of their learning in real-time. Additionally, Lipscomb’s local presence in Nashville means that faculty are readily available and accessible to students. Participants in this initiative will not only earn their teaching licensure but will also receive a master’s degree, further elevating their qualifications. To reduce barriers, textbooks and Praxis exam vouchers are included, ensuring that students have the tools they need to succeed without additional out-of-pocket expenses.
This collaboration, which launches this month, builds on Lipscomb’s reputation for excellence in educator preparation and addresses the district's commitment to ensuring students have access to exceptional educators. This initiative helps to strengthen pathways for current or prospective teachers to gain knowledge and certifications in high-demand areas of need while increasing their long-term earnings. This partnership between MNPS and Lipscomb’s nationally recognized teacher preparation program is part of a broader university commitment to meet workforce needs locally, in Tennessee and across the country.
Dr. Candice McQueen
“Strong educators are the foundation of student achievement, and this partnership is a meaningful investment in the success of our students and our city,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “We are proud to work alongside MNPS to open new doors for those who want to make a difference in the classroom while equipping them with the tools to excel.”
While overall teacher vacancies in MNPS have improved in recent years, this partnership will help ensure that MNPS has the licensed teachers it needs by providing a pathway for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree to earn a teaching licensure along with a master’s degree.
The initiative aligns with the district’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain well-prepared teachers. MNPS Superintendent Adrienne Battle emphasized, “We are thrilled to deepen our long-standing partnership with Lipscomb University. This program reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every student has access to highly qualified teachers and creating opportunities for individuals to pursue their passion for education.”
This is the latest collaboration between MNPS and Lipscomb University that is an outgrowth of the University of MNPS initiative. In spring 2022, Lipscomb launched the Leading and Innovating for Future Teachers (LIFT) program to prepare students in MNPS who aspire to enter the teaching profession and to create a pipeline of teacher candidates to return to the district to teach. Through the LIFT program Lipscomb provides full tuition and fees for a cohort of 10 MNPS students every year to enter the teacher preparation program, which means a total of 40 students will receive full tuition through the program during any given school year once the program is fully populated in two years.
“We are excited to launch this partnership with MNPS and support the development of new teachers who will have a lasting impact on the future of our students,” said Leslie Cowell, dean of Lipscomb’s College of Education. “Our mission is to equip educators with the skills and strategies they need to succeed, and we are proud to be a partner in ensuring that every student in Nashville has the opportunity to learn from a highly qualified, dedicated teacher.”
Lipscomb University’s College of Education is consistently ranked as one of the most effective educator preparation programs in Tennessee and the nation. For 12 consecutive years, Tennessee Teacher Preparation Report Card data on the effectiveness of new Tennessee teachers indicates Lipscomb has one of the most effective teacher preparation programs in the state. In 2023 Lipscomb received a $4.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to train mental health professionals in high-need local education agencies (LEAs) in the Nashville area through its IMPACT (Innovative Mental Health Partnership Accessing Counselor Training) Initiative. In June 2023, it was named among the top in the nation by the National Council on Teacher Quality for preparing future teachers in the science of reading. Lipscomb has also developed a number of Grow Your Own partnerships in high-need disciplines and districts across Tennessee. For more information, visit www.lipscomb.edu/education.