Positive Schools Conference Sets the Tone for a Strong Year Ahead
On July 17, 2025, hundreds of educators, school leaders, and community partners gathered at the Positive Schools Conference at James Lawson High School—a powerful day of collaboration, learning, and inspiration designed to launch the 2025-2026 school year on a high note. Hosted by Metro Nashville Public Schools in partnership with Alignment Nashville, the conference centered on creating supportive school climates and strengthening systems that promote student success.
This year’s event featured 33 engaging workshops led by local experts, MNPS educators, and national thought leaders, offering practical tools and strategies to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. Participants explored topics such as trauma-informed teaching, restorative practices, and innovative school-based supports—all tailored to meet the unique needs of Nashville’s public schools.
Melissa Jaggers, President & CEO of Alignment Nashville, emphasized the impact of this community-driven approach:
“Providing this level of professional development for that many educators through a traditional conference model could cost the district upwards of $500,000 in registration, travel, and logistics. But by aligning our local resources and lifting up our own expertise, we’ve created a high-impact, accessible experience that’s customized for our schools and students.”
The conference was made possible through the generous support of 19 event sponsors, whose commitment to student success and school climate transformation helped bring this vision to life.
Mindfulness-Level Sponsor
STARS Nashville
Nourishment-Level Sponsors
Facing History & Ourselves
Destination Knowledge
Sown to Grow
Community-Level Sponsors
Vanderbilt Behavioral Health
Newport Healthcare
Mental Health Cooperative
American Book Company
Committee for Children
Friend-Level Sponsors
TN Voices
TAADAS
The Renfrew Center
Embrace U
UT College of Social Work
Autism Tennessee
Rogers Behavioral Health
AVID
MNEA
Oasis Center
To learn more about the conference and its impact, visit the MNPS newsroom article.
Thank you to the many facilitators, partners, and volunteers who made the Positive Schools Conference a success—and to all the MNPS educators who show up every day for our students. Let’s make this our most positive year yet!