Vanderbilt Peabody College to host screening and panel discussion for Nashville Public Education Foundation’s ‘Why I Teach’ documentary

Community leaders, educators, and the public are invited.

Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development will present a film screening and panel discussion of “Why I Teach,” a short documentary film created by the Nashville Public Education Foundation, on January 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held in the rotunda of the Faye and Joe Wyatt Center at Peabody College and is open to the public. Please register to attend.

“Why I Teach” offers an authentic, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of three Metro Nashville Public Schools teachers: Celia Bowman-Jeffries from Thomas Edison Elementary School, Taylor Edens from Early College High School, and Graham Spencer from Goodlettsville Middle School. The film follows these educators from their homes to their classrooms, showcasing both the joys and challenges they face, as they deliver instruction, analyze data, collaborate with other educators, and create supportive classroom cultures that welcome all students.

Attendees will hear directly from the educators as they share their stories, showcasing the talent and resilience it takes to make a difference in students’ lives. This film not only dispels common myths about teaching but also celebrates the vital role teachers play in helping students thrive.

At the event, Anita Wager, senior associate dean of undergraduate affairs and professor of the practice of mathematics education, will give opening remarks. Katie Cour, president and CEO of the Nashville Public Education Foundation, will give closing remarks. The teachers featured in the film will join a panel discussion following the screening.

Hosted by the Office of Student Life at Peabody College, the screening is a collaboration between the Nashville Public Education Foundation, the Department of Teaching and Learning at Peabody College, and Vanderbilt’s Division of Government and Community Relations.

Learn more about the event and register to attend. Dinner will be provided. If you have dietary restrictions or need accessibility accommodations, please email peabodystudentlife@vanderbilt.edu.

Peabody College is dedicated to empowering Nashville metropolitan area K-12 public school employees and sharing their stories. This event follows Peabody’s announcement in December of a new scholarship to support public school employees in the Nashville metropolitan area pursuing master’s degrees at Peabody College. To learn more about the scholarship, please visit the Peabody Graduate and Professional Admissions Office and contact them at peabody.admissions@vanderbilt.edu (615-322-8410).

About the Nashville Public Education Foundation

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) is a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring every child can thrive in Nashville’s public schools. NPEF works to improve student outcomes in Nashville’s public schools by identifying challenges and advancing evidence-based solutions. Since 2002, NPEF’s role as a catalyst for transformation has yielded tangible results in areas such as teacher professional development, teacher compensation, principal quality and college access. Learn more at nashvillepef.org.