Molly Hegwood
Executive Director of English Learners
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Molly Hegwood is the Executive Director of English Learners for Metro Nashville Public Schools. The district is currently home to more than 15,000 active English learners from over 135 countries of origin speaking 145 languages. The goal of the MNPS EL program is to support English learners with the social, emotional, cultural, speaking, and academic skills needed to excel in higher education, work, and life.
Molly Hegwood’s first position in MNPS was an EL teacher at John B. Whitsitt Elementary. There, Hegwood supervised an evening tutoring program and partnered with the Office of English Learners in their adult literacy program. Hegwood began her journey with the Office of English Learners in 2011 as an English Language Development Coach, supporting EL teachers, and leading professional development on effective lesson delivery for multilingual students. These experiences marked key moments in Hegwood’s life and fueled her desire to take bigger steps in support of English and adult learners.
In the past nine years, while leading district-wide EL initiatives, Hegwood has built a reputation for developing positive relationships with teachers, school leaders, central office departments, community members, and neighboring districts in Tennessee. She brings a spirit for collaborative leadership powered by a deep knowledge of instructional practices.