CLARKSVILLE, TN – This fall, the students at Northwest High School will make history as they aim to change the current state of education. These innovative future leaders, part of Northwest’s High School Spanish language program, will work with Clarksville Parks and Rec to host a four-part series in which they impart basic Spanish conversational skills and knowledge of Spanish culture.

The program begins on September 7th and will continue each consecutive month on October 24th, November 8th, and December 5th. Local youth will have the chance to learn about famous Spanish artists such as Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali, Mexico’s Day of the Dead, Spanish dances, and Christmas traditions in Spanish-speaking countries. They will also get to try authentic Spanish foods such as quesadillas, churros, sugar skull cookies, and tacos.

World Language program coordinator at Northwest High School, Ms. Melissa Smith, notes that the students at Northwest are excited to foster real change in education and see their learning as an instrument that can be used to motivate, inspire, and uplift the local community.

“When I first pitched the idea of community service to my students, I didn’t think that they would go for it. I was wrong. They showed up in droves, ready for an opportunity to make a difference. Suddenly, I started seeing a difference in their grades and their engagement in class; enrollment in advanced language classes has tripled. My students have a newfound sense of purpose, and it shows.”

Since starting this program under instructional leaders, Mrs. Brandi Blackley (principal) and Dr. Ashley McDonald (assistant principal), real change has occurred for Spanish language students and their work within the community. Plans are currently in place to begin a strategic partnership with local elementary schools so that advanced Spanish students at Northwest can teach basic Spanish to k-5 students on a weekly basis.

To find out more about this program, including how you can partner with us to create change contact Melissa Smith at melissa.smith@cmcss.net.