TQEE Summit Highlights Early Education Pathways

Andria Smith and Chuck Carter during a panel discussion at the TQEE Summit

Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) hosted its Align Early Childhood & Family Policy Summit on Monday, November 17 in Nashville, bringing together leaders from across the state to focus on how Tennessee can ensure young children and their families thrive. The full-day event, featured nationally recognized speakers, state experts, and a diverse group of early childhood advocates, practitioners, business leaders, civic organizations, and policymakers.

Northeast Tennessee was strongly represented during a panel titled “Building the Pipeline: Innovative Pathways for Early Educators.” The session highlighted new and emerging strategies to recruit and prepare the next generation of early childhood educators, featuring innovative apprenticeship and work-based learning models, high school career and technical education programs, and flexible community college and university pathways that leverage online coursework and blended funding streams.

The panel was moderated by Deniece Thomas, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Chuck Carter, Superintendent of Sullivan County Schools, and Andria Smith, Childcare Special Projects Coordinator at FTDD, represented our region. They were joined by:.

• Leslie Cowell, Dean, College of Education, Lipscomb University

• Colleen “Coco” Melchiorre, CEO, Little Wonders Learning Center

• Sean Lee, President, Porter Leath

• Brittany Monda, Growth Officer – West TN, Reach University

Together, the panelists offered insights into how Tennessee can strengthen the pipeline of qualified early educators and ensure high-quality learning environments for young children across the state.

FTDD attendees at the TQEE Summit. Leslie Thompson- TOPI Grant Manager, Andria Smith- Childcare Special Projects Coordinator, and Lottie Ryans- Director of Workforce & Literacy Initiatives

Attendees gather at the TQEE Summit in Nashville, engaging in discussions and presentations focused on early education initiatives.