Jay Steele

Chief Academic Officer,

Leadership and Learning
p 615-259-8651 f 615-214-8651 jay.steele@mnps.org
2601 Bransford Avenue Nashville, TN 37204

To:

Chris Henson, Interim Director

Susan Thompson, Chief Officer for Human Capital
From: Dr. Jay Steele, Chief Academic Officer
Date: November 16, 2015
Re:

Resignation

It is my intent to resign from my position as Chief Academic Officer for the Metropolitan
Nashville Public Schools effective on Friday, December 4, 2015. After months of deep
reflection and soul searching, I informed Chris Henson, Interim Director, in October
2015 that I was accepting an offer to work in four urban and suburban districts to lead
high school reform. I would like to thank Dr. Jesse Register for believing in me and
giving me this incredible opportunity. I would also like to thank the PENCIL Foundation,
Alignment Nashville, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the 325 business
partners that have worked so closely with me to develop a model that has garnered
national and international admiration. Over 2,100 people have traveled to our city to
see the Academies of Nashville, including the President of the United States. The work
around middle school reform is gaining momentum and the results are beginning to
show. I am proud of our work around blended learning, virtual learning, music
education, and pre-kindergarten. There is much work to accomplish with our English
learners and I urge all stakeholders to support the EL vision. I have been truly blessed to
work with so many dedicated and passionate principals, teachers, and partners.
Nashville truly has the most outstanding, dedicated, and ethical leaders I have ever
encountered. Students have always been at the center of my work and I believe the
education of our children is a moral and economic imperative. I am counting on
principals, teachers, and partners to continue working for the betterment of Nashvilles
students. It has been my honor!