26 schools honored for preparing students for the workforce

State Education
Written By Sky Arnold

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) announced 26 schools have received the Tennessee STEM/STEAM School Designation for 2023. That increases the number of schools receiving the honor to 114 statewide.STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is an education curriculum focused on innovation, technology, and learning activities and lessons intended to prepare students for the workforce. STEAM education is intended to fill in the gaps of a STEM education by including the arts such as visual arts and language arts.“STEM/STEAM education is fundamental for students to ensure they are prepared to enter the future workforce, and each of these schools are recognized for their innovative approaches to equip students with the necessary skills to be successful in their futures,” said TDOE Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “We at the department are thrilled to continue highlighting these schools for their focus on providing students with these opportunities for success.”The designation was developed in 2018 by TDOE and the STEM Leadership Council to provide a guide for schools to successfully implement STEM/STEAM education plans at the local level. All K-12 schools in Tennessee are eligible.To gain designation in either category, schools must apply through a scoring guide that includes five focus areas including infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement, and community and postsecondary partnerships.During the application process, each school needed to complete a self-evaluation, participate in interviews, and host site visits. Schools were also required to submit a plan of action for implementing and sustaining STEM/STEAM education for the next five years.The goal of the designation is to disrupt the status quo by providing a unique learning environment for every student and to give every student an opportunity to build a better tomorrow.“STEM/STEAM education has reignited a passion for developing experiences that bring 'learning to life' within our school and community,” said Melanie Atchley, STEM Teacher Lead, Battle Academy. “A deeper sense of inquiry, heightened critical thinking skills, increased resilience, and a joy of teaching and learning are only some of the benefits we have seen through STEM/STEAM implementation thus far.”"Creating a culture of STEM and bringing problem-solving, with real-world opportunities, to all of our students has been a game changer on so many levels,” said Annemarie Lampright, STEM Coordinator, Lawrence County Schools. “From rising student achievement to the close collaboration between staff members, the STEM Designation process truly brings out the best in everyone while empowering all our students to meet the needs of tomorrow's challenges."Schools receiving the Tennessee STEM/STEAM School Designation include:STEM Designation

  • Catlettsburg Elementary School, Sevier County Schools
  • East Lake Academy of Fine Arts, Hamilton County Schools
  • Finley Elementary School, Dyer County Schools
  • Ingram Sowell Elementary School, Lawrence County Schools
  • Lookout Valley Elementary School, Hamilton County Schools
  • Middle College High School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools
  • North Middle School, Loudon County Schools
  • Northview Intermediate School, Sevier County Schools
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
  • Reeves Rogers Elementary School, Murfreesboro City Schools
  • Rivermont Elementary School, Hamilton County Schools
  • Sulphur Springs Elementary School, Washington County Schools
  • Sycamore Elementary School, Collierville Schools
  • West Collierville Middle School, Collierville Schools
  • Westview Elementary School, Hamilton County Schools

STEAM Designation

  • Battle Academy, Hamilton County Schools
  • Beech Elementary, Sumner County Schools
  • Christiana Middle School, Rutherford County Schools
  • Head Magnet Middle School, Metro-Nashville Public Schools
  • Idlewild Elementary School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools
  • Innovation Academy, Robertson County Schools
  • Philadelphia Elementary School, Loudon County Schools
  • Prospect Elementary School, Bradley County Schools
  • Rivercrest Elementary School, Bartlett City Schools
  • University Middle School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools
  • Walker Valley High School, Bradley County Schools
Sky Arnold

Sky serves as the Managing Editor of the Tennessee Fireflly. He’s a veteran television journalist with two decades of experience covering news in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee where he covered government for Fox 17 News in Nashville and WBBJ in Jackson. He’s a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a big supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners.

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