PENCIL Earns National Honor for Partnership Work

PENCIL is proud to announce that we have been honored with the 2025 Henk Koning Exemplary Business Partner Award at the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) annual conference in October. Named for an early advocate of education and community collaboration, the recognition celebrates organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting students, educators, and school communities through meaningful and sustained partnerships.

“PENCIL has been connecting community resources and schools for over 40 years, engaging and connecting the intellectual capital of our business community with our schools and Academies [of Nashville],” said John Doerge, PENCIL and NCAC board member, to a packed room. “Like Henk Koning, PENCIL believes that community involvement and partnerships are vital for students to achieve academic success, which in turn benefits the entire community.”

Receiving this award underscores PENCIL’s mission to support Metro Nashville Public Schools by linking community resources with school needs. Our longstanding partnerships with businesses, organizations, and individuals play a vital role in preparing students for the classroom and future careers. Whether through hands-on learning experiences, career exposure, teacher support, or access to essential supplies, our partners help us deliver opportunities that can transform a student’s journey.

This achievement would not be possible without the dedication of our partners who invest their time, expertise, and resources in MNPS students. We are grateful for their belief in PENCIL’s vision and for their willingness to collaborate to strengthen public education. Together, we are building a community where every student has the support they need to succeed.