Bellevue Middle Bids Farewell to Esteemed Numeracy Coach Sandy Irwin After 35 Years at MNPS

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Sandy Irwin, a numeracy coach at Bellevue Middle School, is retiring this year after 35 years with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). She began her career 23 years ago, transitioning from teaching language arts and pre-K to a sixth-grade math position at Bellevue Middle. This change sparked her interest in math, where she excelled along with her students.

During her career, Irwin has received several awards for her contributions to education. In 2016, she was named MNPS Teacher of the Year and Mid Cumberland Regional Teacher of the Year. She was also a nominee for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. These honors led to her participation in the Tennessee Educator Fellowship, enhancing her understanding of education policy and advocacy.

Irwin has focused on addressing the teacher shortage in her district. She has promoted strategies to attract qualified and diverse candidates from college programs. Her initiative, 'Coffee & Conversations,' supports new teachers by facilitating monthly meetings with experienced educators to share experiences and strategies.

As a numeracy coach, Irwin has used her advocacy skills to improve her coaching, focusing on continuous learning and tailored support for teachers. She emphasizes understanding each teacher's unique needs, similar to how teachers meet their students' needs. The MNPS math department supports this approach with strong mentorship and professional development programs.