EIGHTEEN-YEAR VETERAN MNPS TEACHER DR. JENNIFER BERRY TO LEAD MNPS STEAM PROGRAM
Nashville, Tenn. - April 20, 2018- Metro Nashville Public Schools announced today the district is promoting-from-within and has named Dr. Jennifer Berry, an eighteen-year veteran of MNPS, as the new director of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) to lead the District's work already underway in transforming teaching and learning in the district's middle and elementary schools.
Dr. Berry is currently the academy principal at Stratford STEM Magnet High School and has served Metro Schools for more than 18 years in various capacities including as a classroom teacher, an instructional coach and an administrator. She earned her bachelor of science in zoology and master of arts in teaching from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and her doctorate of philosophy from Capella University at Minneapolis. Berry will begin her tenure as director of STEAM on Monday, May 7.
“Our goal is to transform teaching and learning in our middle schools,” said Dr. Shawn Joseph, Director of Schools. “I know Dr. Berry, her experiences and her commitment to Metro Schools, will accelerate the progress we've made in our middle schools as we work to be a national leader in STEAM education.”
Click here to view Dr. Berry's resume.
“Middle school is a pivotal time in a child's education - it's a time we need to capitalize on, by captivating students' interest and motivating them for success in high school and beyond,” said Dr. Jennifer Berry, MNPS director of STEAM.
That's exactly what STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) does for MNPS students. This year, eighteen middle schools adopted the STEAM curriculum and next year ten additional middle schools and five elementary schools will do the same.
“Through a strong focus on creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking, our students will graduate Metro Nashville Public Schools and head to whatever is next for them - be it college or a career - with a great understanding of how they can impact their cities and how their unique skill set can be applied across many industries,” said Dr. Berry.
To learn more, visit mnps.org/steam.
METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Metro Nashville Public Schools is one of the nation's top 50 largest school districts, preparing 88,000 students for higher education, work and life. With the goal of being the first choice for Nashville families, Metro Schools is committed to #ExceedingGreatExpectations with the mission of delivering a great public education to every student, every day. The district is earning a national reputation for urban school reform, social and emotional learning and rising academic achievement. The governing body for Metro Schools is the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education, a nine-member elected body. For more information, visit MNPS.org, or follow us on Twitter @MetroSchools or Facebook /MetroSchools.