PENCIL Principal for a Day - Thursday, November 2, 2023
PENCIL welcomed more than 300 participants to its annual Principal for a Day experience. Across the district, 130 MNPS principals provided enthusiastic community members with a behind-the-scenes look at their schools. The memorable experience concluded with a lively luncheon at Lipscomb University’s Shinn Center.
The day began with the guest principals greeting students as they arrived, making morning announcements, and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Then they toured schools and met students and staff. Activities ranged from listening to a room of third graders play the xylophone to joining a planning meeting of Academy teachers to hearing a principal’s strategic plan for their school. The excitement carried over to Lipscomb where all gathered for lunch and the program.
Guests heard from Dr. Candice McQueen, Lipscomb University President; Mayor Freddie O’Connell; and PENCIL President & CEO Angie Adams, who urged participants to share their experience with friends and colleagues because “community engagement is an essential part of students’ academic success.” Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Schools, expressed her appreciation to all involved before launching into a Q-and-A with 16 new MNPS principals. In a series of rapid-fire questions, she hit upon topics that ran from serious — “What encouraged you to be a principal” — to amusing — “What is your secret principal superhero power?” New friendships were cemented by the end, and the guest principals left with a fuller picture of the great work happening in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation sponsored this year’s event with in-kind support from Lipscomb University, Southwest Airlines, Gray Line Tennessee and Metro Nashville Public Schools.
