For more than a decade, educator and leader Franklin Willis has served the students and families of the Metro Nashville Public Schools community. Through music, Willis has educated, mentored and developed young minds to be forward-thinking contributors to society. A servant leader specializing in authentic and culturally relevant teaching, empowering student contributions, and developing teachers to reach their full capacity, Willis finds true joy when at the service of others. As Elementary Music Coach for MNPS, he equips teachers with instructional support and necessary resources to strengthen their professional acumen and enhance their classrooms. This includes shepherding colleagues and teachers through the realities students are faced with around equity, inclusion and racism. Through his work, he has developed a passion in the cultivation of musicianship for young minds as every child has musical potential and deserves a music teacher who will see the best in them. Willis believes that music education is a vital tool to teach students about other cultures, create community, and inspire a love for learning. Willis consistently uses his network to provide opportunities for students to utilize their passion for music for all to see. This includes producing music videos and stadium performances at CMA Fest, a four-day music festival in Nashville, TN. Willis has created and facilitated professional development sessions for music teachers of all grade levels, sharing his unique and relevant teaching practices. He consistently collaborates with colleagues, community organizations, local businesses, colleges and universities to advocate for the importance of music education in our schools as well as developing curriculum that will lead to higher engagement from students. Through his work, Willis has received national recognition for his commitment to student learning, his passion for the profession, and his innovative teaching practices. He is a three-time recipient of the CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Award (2016, 2018 and 2019). Willis is a children’s book author and graduate of the University of Memphis, earning a BMEd with an emphasis in choral music in 2009. In 2012, he earned the Master of Education Degree in nonprofit leadership from Belmont University. Most recently, Willis completed the Education Specialist Degree with an emphasis in instructional leadership from Tennessee Technological University.