MTSU College of Education hosts inaugural student cohort, district reps at ‘Teach Back’ event

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Future educators willing to give back to their communities were in the spotlight at Middle Tennessee State University’s inaugural Tennessee Teach Back Initiative Conference held recently at the College of Education Building.

The College of Education’s Center for Fairness, Justice, and Equity hosted the event that centers on the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative, or TTBI, an effort that partners with school districts within the state to help committed students as they work through their teacher education program at the university.

Neporcha Cone, dean of the Middle Tennessee State University College of Education speaks to the inaugural cohort of scholars in the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative and participating school district representatives at the TTBI Conference held Friday, Jan. 24, on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The program pairs sponsoring school districts in the state with student teachers who pledge to “teach back” at the district after earning their degrees. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

TTBI Scholars, who are supported through activities, tutoring and mentoring, commit to “teach back” in the school district with which they are partnered and receive sponsorship from that district such as last-dollar funding while in the program.

Dr. Neporcha Cone

“The Tennessee Teach Back Initiative is shaping the next generation of educators who will not only teach but transform classrooms and communities,” said Neporcha Cone, dean of the College of Education, in kicking off the Jan. 24 conference. “My charge to these future educators, these ‘difference makers,’ is to stay curious, build meaningful relationships, and embrace the challenges ahead — because great teachers do more than instruct. They inspire. They lead.”

Following Cone’s address was a full day of learning for the inaugural cohort of 21 TTBI students. The group focused on being successful through developing study habits, using campus resources, and participating in hands-on learning activities.

“The conference was intentionally designed to help our students make connections with their school districts, expand their knowledge of the resources MTSU offers, and develop strategies for success,” said Tara Wallace, recruitment and engagement specialist for TTBI.

Trey Duke, director of Murfreesboro City Schools, back row right, and Maria Johnson, MCS director of human resources, back row, second from left, take a group photo with some of the future MCS teachers participating in the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative at the TTBI Conference held Friday, Jan. 24, at the Middle Tennessee State University College of Education Building on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The program pairs sponsoring school districts in the state like MCS with student teachers who pledge to “teach back” at the district after earning their degrees. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Michelle Stevens, director of the Center for Fairness, Justice and Equity within the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University, speaks to the inaugural cohort of scholars in the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative and participating school district representatives at the TTBI Conference held Friday, Jan. 24, on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The program pairs sponsoring school districts in the state with student teachers who pledge to “teach back” at the district after earning their degrees. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Wallace was part of a Center for Fairness, Justice, and Equity’s team coordinating the event that also included FJE Director Michelle Stevens, Lisa Strayer, center coordinator, and Mia Zellars, COE Student Engagement and Partnerships coordinator.

Dr. Michelle Stevens, director, Center for Fairness, Justice and Equity, MTSU College of Education — Dr. Michelle Stevens

Various MTSU departments led sessions, including the Office of Student Success, the University Writing Center, the Disability and Access Center, and the College of Education’s Educator Preparation and Licensure, and Advising Offices. Topics included time management, improving study skills, navigating accommodations, and more. Time was also dedicated to personal development, self-care plans and goals, and creating vision boards for the semester.

The conference hosted several representatives from school districts who are currently partnering, or working toward a partnership, with the TTBI, including Bedford County, Cannon County, Marshall County, Murfreesboro City Schools, and Williamson County. School representatives received a warm welcome from Cone, followed by lunch where they got to know the students.

Bonnie Patterson, director of the Cannon County Schools, addresses scholars in the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative at the TTBI Conference held Friday, Jan. 24, at the Middle Tennessee State University College of Education Building on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The program pairs sponsoring school districts in the state like CCS with student teachers who pledge to “teach back” at the district after earning their degrees. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Hiba Jahangir, graduate assistant for Center for Fairness, Justice and Equity within the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University, speaks to the inaugural cohort of scholars in the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative and participating school district representatives at the TTBI Conference held Friday, Jan. 24, on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The program pairs sponsoring school districts in the state with student teachers who pledge to “teach back” at the district after earning their degrees. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Student perspectives

Attendees ended the day by reflecting on the conference and identifying key takeaways.

“It was helpful to reflect on self-care as it is something I need to prioritize,” Kylie Boyette, a freshman student from Shelbyville.

Sydney Banda, a graduate student in the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University, speaks to the inaugural cohort of scholars in the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative and participating school district representatives at the TTBI Conference held Friday, Jan. 24, on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The program pairs sponsoring school districts in the state with student teachers who pledge to “teach back” at the district after earning their degrees. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Added Mosiah Taylor, a sophomore transfer student from Hermitage, “The TTBI Conference was insightful and informed me on more resources available for me as a student.”

“I also loved all the planning methods, since that was a goal,” said freshman Kaylee Smith from Soddy Daisy.

Fellow freshman Elly Casteel, of Murfreesboro, said, “ I really enjoyed eating lunch with my district. It was nice to ask questions and put a face to a name.”

Stevens, the center director, said the conference “offered our TTBI scholars an opportunity to glean insights and information about important campus support systems and resources available to them. We were excited to offer a space for them to build community with their peers and with the College of Education community,”

Learn more about the Tennessee Teach Back Initiative at https://education.mtsu.edu/tennessee-teach-back-initiative/ and learn more about the College of Education at https://education.mtsu.edu/.

— Kristen Keene (Kristen.Keene@mtsu.edu)