Bridge Academy students take JTG’s message to Nashville
Bridge Academy students from Mr. Estle Muncy’s Jobs for Tennessee Graduates (JTG) class at Anderson County Career and Technical Center (ACCTC) visited lawmakers in Nashville to speak in favor of the JTG curriculum — an elective class which helps prepare studdents for post-secondary education, a meaningful career, and a productive adulthood.
As student Destiney Arwood says, “JTG teaches us things that math, English, science, and history can’t. It teaches us to prepare for our future, like getting a job, making the perfect resume, getting along with others, communication, teamwork, being able to present in front of a crowd, and being creative.”
JTG’s purpose is to improve young lives forever —as an affiliate of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) and is a non-profit organization.
Jobs for Tennessee Graduates is one of JAG’s longest serving affiliates, launched in 1981 under Governor Lamar Alexander. JTG was exclusively state-funded until 2013.
Since then, diverse funding sources (school districts, private businesses, and regional nonprofits) have allowed JTG to thrive in 19 schools in 15 counties throughout Tennessee. The students were able to speak with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Speaker of the House Beth Halteman Harwell, and Rep. John Ragan while in Nashville.
Sydney Collins said, “I think it was a great opportunity because we got to talk to the Lieutenant Governor and tell him a little about the class and how much it has and is still helping us, and how it’s going to help us in the future with jobs and around people.”
Charles Porterfield noted, “My favorite part of the trip was meeting the lawmakers and getting to ask them questions and give them feedback about what I thought of JTG and other projects.”
Bobby Hudgins commented, “It’s not every day you meet big names like McNally. He discussed career choices with us, using his own as an example. Through his example we learned that not every choice is final, plans change, and you have to work to better your own career.”
Hannah Towns added, “There were many things we didn’t know about the capitol and the people who work there that we now know. While talking with Lt. Gov. McNally we talked about who we were, our program and we also talked about careers. He said to us that school is very important and that having an education would help us with the career choices we decide in life.”
