Senator Alexander Discusses Education
Senator Lamar Alexander, a former U.S. Secretary of Education, came to the USN auditorium to talk about the future of education.
Senator Alexander began by mentioning the familiar faces he saw in the crowd, including Harvey Sperling, who was USN's director when Lamar and Honey Alexander were USN parents. He also mentioned Cathie Sperling, who taught the Alexanders' son, and at one point said, "I assume Ms. Schneider is still around." She was in the auditorium.
Vince Durnan asked Senator Alexander questions about education, eliciting his opinions on charter schools, which he sees as "cause for optimism." He argued that the most important contributors to a school's success are the parents and the teachers, citing the example of Maryville High School in his home town.
Read the article in The Tennessean about Senator Alexander's visit to USN.
When he was asked what role a school like USN could play in the future of education, Senator Alexander said, "You should train your students to save the world rather than try to save it yourself." Then he listed three ways an independent school could "be part of the solution," as Vince Durnan said.
1. Show the world what an independent school can do and be part of the charter school debate.
2. Become involved in the school board.
3. Help public schools figure out what to do about digital education.
People in the audience asked Senator Aleander's opinions on such topics as teacher tenure, charter schools, the FAFSA form (which the senator had displayed earlier), and standardized tests in college admissions.
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Vince Durnan asked Senator Alexander questions about education, eliciting his opinions on charter schools, which he sees as "cause for optimism." He argued that the most important contributors to a school's success are the parents and the teachers, citing the example of Maryville High School in his home town.
Read the article in The Tennessean about Senator Alexander's visit to USN.
When he was asked what role a school like USN could play in the future of education, Senator Alexander said, "You should train your students to save the world rather than try to save it yourself." Then he listed three ways an independent school could "be part of the solution," as Vince Durnan said.
1. Show the world what an independent school can do and be part of the charter school debate.
2. Become involved in the school board.
3. Help public schools figure out what to do about digital education.
People in the audience asked Senator Aleander's opinions on such topics as teacher tenure, charter schools, the FAFSA form (which the senator had displayed earlier), and standardized tests in college admissions.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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HS Quiz Bowl continues success, qualifies for nationals
The Quiz Bowl team won second place in the South Warren Spartan Open tournament, qualifying the team for the 2026 High School National Championship tournament. Congratulations to Basil Broemel '28 and Jasmine Horwitz '26 for placing seventh and ninth, respectively.Read More -
USN restarts composting program
Students and faculty have resumed composting at USN. Through collaboration, persistence, and student leadership across all divisions, the program has already gotten off to a great start.Read More -
Winter weather reminder
Read MoreShould snow or ice alter the school day, expect to receive a USN Alert by 5 a.m. This information will also be posted on the usn.org homepage and the school's official social media accounts, as well as shared with local broadcast stations. Be sure your wireless number is listed correctly in the usn.org directory to receive USN Alerts. Also, share your snow day fun by emailing socialmedia@usn.org or using #USNsnowday; we especially appreciate photos of the USN community wearing school gear.
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.