Chattanooga Welcomes Chatt Academy: A New Era in Bilingual Education
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is buzzing with excitement as its newest educational establishment, Chatt Academy Community School, officially opened its doors this week. Although classes started about a month ago, the grand opening ceremony on September 19 marked a significant milestone for the community and for education in the region. With a cheerful ribbon-cutting ceremony, students and staff celebrated the launch of a school that promises to make history as the first immersive bilingual, public, tuition-free institution in East Tennessee.
Transforming Lives Through Bilingual Education
The heartwarming event drew in families, board members, and supporters from the community, all eager to be part of this pivotal moment. Board member Dr. Nikolasa Tejero, an immigrant from Mexico, reflected on her personal journey and the pride she felt in being part of this celebration. “The lessons our Chatt Academy students will learn in the coming years will prepare them to impact their communities,” she said passionately. Dr. Tejero shared her own experiences of facing challenges as a non-English speaker back when she moved to Chattanooga, highlighting how much the city has transformed over the years.
Chatt Academy aims to serve students from 6th to 12th grades through a unique dual immersion model. This innovative approach allows native Spanish speakers to learn alongside their native English-speaking peers. Dr. Tejero emphasized the incredible opportunity this presents, stating that by the time these students graduate, they will be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking both languages. “This is a monumental feat,” she added, clearly excited about the potential impact on the students’ futures.
A Community-Driven Vision
Currently, Chatt Academy has an enrollment of 94 students, with room for six more. Nolan McDaniel, the Lead Founder and Executive Director, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to students, families, and supporters in attendance. Sharing his experiences, he noted, “The toll of opening a school from the ground up takes on a person is not light,” acknowledging the immense efforts of those who stood by him throughout the past three years.
His vision for Chatt Academy blossomed from his mother’s inspirational story as a young foster child, and he understands the profound impact educators can have on a child’s life. Reflecting on how a handful of dedicated teachers helped his mother secure a full scholarship, he emphasized the long-lasting influence of education. “Schools change lives, and those lives change lives,” he said, a sentiment that resonates deeply in a community that values education.
Reshaping Education in Chattanooga
Before McDaniel launched Chatt Academy, he spent years in law school and later volunteered in the middle school where his mother worked. It was during those impactful moments that he met two boys who became like family to him, altering the course of his life. “I knew that to be fulfilled in my work, I had to come back home,” he recounted with passion. His desire to design a school that was different became a mission, leading him to listen to over 400 stakeholders about what the community wanted in education.
“Chatt Academy is a school designed by our community,” McDaniel declared, capturing the essence of the collaborative effort that went into establishing the school. The approval of the school concept in April 2022 paved the way for the next step, which involved intense preparations for creating a nurturing learning environment. After 18 months of hard work, the team secured a facility, obtained startup funding, and tirelessly worked to recruit and enroll students, culminating in this significant achievement.
Looking to the Future
The grand opening brought together vibrant flavors of community and education, a promising start for a school that aims to enrich lives and strengthen bonds among families. As Chatt Academy embarks on this exciting journey, it stands as a beacon of hope for future generations, showcasing the power of bilingual education and community commitment.
For anyone wanting to learn more about this groundbreaking initiative, Chatt Academy is poised to not just be a place to learn but a catalyst for transforming lives across Chattanooga. Together, we look forward to witnessing the growth and achievements of these enthusiastic young minds!
