The Education EP

It is not an understatement that the Tennessee Education System has room for improvement. 

Decisions in Tennessee like the Education Freedom Act and Elon’s DOGE fiasco at the federal level, have left public education in a frustrating limbo. Meanwhile, post-secondary costs continue to rise year after year. It is time to make education a priority once again. 

Educating the Future Generations: My Why

Tennessee holds my educational past and my children’s future. I have attended two Tennessee Colleges; Tennessee Technological University and Vanderbilt. My wife is an educator. I have four children; one who has completed school and three that are currently in K-12 education in a public school. Like you, I believe their future is worth investing in. 

What Does District 6 Need

Effective education policy answers the question: What are the community needs? 

Not what my campaign needs, or the desires of the party-heads in Washington, but what are the concrete, actionable steps the people of District 6 want to take. 

What I’ve found is this: though Tennessee’s 6th district spans both urban and rural zones, our priorities are the same: 

1. Quality education at every school, at every level
2. Exceptional post-secondary options without mountains of debt
3. Adequate transportation to and from school
4. Improved teacher and school-support pay

Where Do We Go from Here: The Education EP

I want to take time to outline an actionable approach to the first two, biting off bit by bit during this series as we unpack education. Paying homage to my favorite Tennessee musicians, let’s break it down into Track 1 and Track 2 on the Education EP. 

Track 1: Career & Technical Education

Let’s break ground by building on what we do well.  Our teachers and administrators here in Tennessee have built incredible Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs all over our middle and high-schools. From manufacturing to military, these programs engage students who find purpose in making, moving, and applying their skills in real-world settings, all while earning course credits. 

Dual enrollment programs, similarly, to their CTE counterparts, bridge the gap between secondary education and post-secondary success. Students can apply their credits earned in high-school to partner schools like Tennessee Tech, allowing them to make real, tangible progress on their diploma while earning a high-school degree. 

Track 2: Higher Education Affordability

 I will work to secure and protect federal funding, such as Pell Grants, for Tennessee students who pursue an undergraduate degree. Likewise, I will protect the state initiatives like our TN Promise program, which keep post-secondary education a reality, not a dream, for Tennessee families. 

Why It Matters

The goal may be simple: that every student graduates with a fire for their field and a step ahead on their next chapter, but that vision requires a village. From families, to school custodians, to small-business owners, education requires us all to buy in. But it is the role of the government to facilitate this commitment. Education should pay off, not just for the graduate, but for the community at large.