24 Nashville State Students Celebrate Milestone in Grow Your Own Teacher Training Program

Twenty-four students from Nashville State Community College’s School of Business and Professional Studies will graduate in mid-May as the third cohort of the Grow Your Own program, representing Cheatham, Dickson, and Hickman counties. The college recently hosted a celebration on its Dickson campus to honor their achievements.

These dedicated students have balanced full-time roles as teacher assistants in their local school systems while attending college full-time and managing family responsibilities. Their perseverance and commitment have brought them to this important milestone.

Upon graduating with an Associate of Science in Teaching (A.S.T.) degree in K-5 Elementary Education, the cohort will continue their educational journey at Austin Peay State University (APSU) beginning in May, where they will pursue their bachelor’s degrees.

The Grow Your Own program is a collaborative effort involving the Tennessee Department of Education, APSU, Nashville State, and the Cheatham, Dickson, and Hickman County school districts. This initiative is making a meaningful impact by addressing the state’s teacher shortage while empowering individuals to serve and uplift their communities.

“It is thrilling to continue seeing the career pipeline we’ve created produce successful outcomes for these future educators, our communities, and our school districts,” said Telaina Wrigley, director of Nashville State’s Dickson and Humphreys County campuses.

As this new group of educators takes the next step, their success is a testament to the power of community-driven partnerships and the bright future of Tennessee classrooms.