Dr. Jeremy Sager understands that while many are called to the field of education, only a few pursue the unique responsibility to serve and lead in underserved communities of color with disparities that often seem insurmountable to remediate. As a first-generation college graduate who grew up in a blended family, he was taught the value of education and the weight it carries as a Black man. Jeremy defied obstacles and statistics in an American society that perpetuates preconceived notions and implicit biases toward Black and brown students, specifically Black boys. Because Jeremy understands the nuances of growing up as a Black boy, he proposes to design a school model that caters to the unique needs of families of color as a Character and Equity Fellow in the Build Track of the BES Fellowship. This school model will serve as a catalyst for change in underserved communities to reimagine learning experiences for all scholars and families on the pathway to colleges and careers of their choice.
“I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are achieved in school communities through school leaders and staff members who foster a culturally-responsive school experience that meets the needs of all scholars. This happens not by lowering the bar of excellence, but by defending the bar of excellence with high-quality academic instruction and high expectations.”
Jeremy desires to make a transformational impact in Rutherford County, Tennessee by designing a SMART-integrated academic model that cannot be experienced by scholars and families in other Rutherford County Schools. This academic model is student-centered with an inquiry-based interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are combined with character development and project-based learning opportunities to drive student engagement and performance that develops the whole scholar.
Jeremy most recently served as the Lead Secondary Literacy Specialist for the Schools of Innovation at Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee, where he was responsible for coaching and supporting school-based literacy coaches in priority schools through district-wide literacy initiatives. Previously, he served as the Middle School Principal at Nashville Prep with RePublic Schools in Tennessee, where he led the school to TVAAS Level 5 Reward School Status during the 2021-22 school year and was named a 2022 Public Charter School Changemaker by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Prior to this, Jeremy spent over 15 years in education as a college admissions executive assistant, student finance coordinator, classroom teacher, adjunct professor, instructional coach, curriculum specialist, academy dean, dean of instruction, assistant principal, and ninth grade academy principal.
Jeremy received his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from Crichton College, his Master of Education degree from Union University, and holds a Doctor of Education degree in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning from Walden University. He also successfully completed the Emerging Leaders Program with New Leaders in 2015 and the National Principals Academy Fellowship in 2017 with the Relay Graduate School of Education.
