Lewis County Schools receives the Innovative School Model Grant for $1,500,000

Lewis County Schools is excited to announce the grant award for the Innovative School Models Grant for $1,500,000.00 through the Tennessee Department of Education.

The Innovative School Models Grant is a one-time investment for school districts across the state of Tennessee that expands over four years and is intended to reimagine and redesign, transform and/or expand the middle school and high school experiences for students in career readiness and student success.

Trina Weaks, CTE Director and Federal Projects Director, states: "Students will have a variety of opportunities for earlier exposure to choose and explore pathways best suited to their skillset, explore various high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand jobs, community and industry partnerships, and gain real-world experiences to ensure we are preparing our students for workforce growth. We are overjoyed to be awarded this grant and adding our first CTE agricultural program and a Career Coach at the middle school level; expanding CTE programs at the high school level in Welding, Criminal Justice, Teaching as a Profession, Nursing Services, and Family Consumer Science; a high school Career Workforce Specialist; and implement Work Ethic Matters for students across the middle and high school level."

Dr. McAbee states, "I am very excited about the new opportunities on the horizon for Lewis County Students. I cannot thank Ms. Weaks enough for all her hard work and dedication to getting this grant completed and approved! She has worked with our counselors, CTE teachers, administrators, and community members to create a marvelous plan that will provide learning experiences for all students. Students in Lewis County will truly be college and career ready after graduation!"