Life & Work with Tim Forbes of North Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Forbes

Tim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have worked with young people my entire career. I was fortunate enough to work in the Catholic education system for almost twenty years as an administrator, the last eight as an elementary school principal. It was an amazing experience and worked along side some wonderful colleagues and families. As a young adult, I was influenced by the writings like Dietrich Bonhoffer, Scott Hahn, and Paulo Fiero. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to start the Judge Dinkins Educational Center, I felt a strong calling to leave the world of education and move to non-profit.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In education and in not for profit, we are dealing with peoples’ lives. It is messy and complicated and I am not perfect. I am no where close to being the person I want to become. I am ok with it. I work hard, do the best I can, and continually learn from my mistakes and failures. However, I think the biggest mistake I made was in my 30s. I was a high school administrator in a high stress results oriented environment. I never took time to reflect on projects or a process. I was always ready to move onto the next thing. I don’t think my lack of self assessment was ego, but a genuine desire to move the institution along its mission. Ironically, I thought self reflection and slowing down was a waste of time and resources. Looking back, I realize it hindered my ability to make improvements, validate the hard work of others, or evaluate the efficacy of programs and projects.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the executive director of the Judge Dinkins Educational Center. We are a vocational training program for students who have struggled in traditional school and are at risk for entering the justice system. Our students are referred to us through juvenile probation or Metro Student Attendance Center. Our mission is to provide job skills training to prepare our students for meaningful employment. Our goal is to change the trajectory of their lives and make generational change. Understanding the complex nature of adolescents who are engaged in the courts, the JDEC also offers mental health counseling and soft skills training. In partnership with Monroe Harding, our young people are working towards their high school diploma. When a student finishes the JDEC, they will have their Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training certification, their high school diploma, and vocational trade training in electrical, plumbing, or carpentry.

When I am asked, “what am I most proud of?”, I typically redirect that question. As a young person, my pride was the source of many conflicts and issues. Now, I try to be grateful instead of proud. I have found myself more motivated by gratitude than pride. What am I grateful for? The list is long: my family, my faith, my job, my support network, my friends, my health, the students I work with, the trials and mistakes I have made, experiences.

What separates me from others? I have been fortunate to run several 100 mile ultra marathons. Though the process of training, I have learned that determination and hope, when working in tandem, are a powerful combination. When applied to work, it creates purpose and mission. In my personal life, hope and drive allow me to be focus on important issues and not get mired down by insignificant problems. Hope is an underutilized and over abundant resource.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I do not waste mistakes. I hate mistakes. I want to go through life undefeated. Unfortunately, that will never happen. Therefore, I do not fear failure. I know it will happen. When mistakes and failure occur, I reflect back on the process and ask where and why I was not successful. This process of reflection relieves me of anxiety and fear.

I also don’t waste suffering. Like mistakes and failure, I don’t like suffering. It sucks. However, it is a part of life. GK Chesterton reminds me that love and suffering are two great teachers. I’ve had to come to grips that suffering is not the universe against me or my God abandoning me; rather, it is an opportunity to learn and grown. It is an opportunity to gain humility or empathize with others who are also struggling. No great success can be achieved without mistakes, failure, and suffering. That is true in my work, my family, and my faith.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jdecnash.org
• Instagram: @jdecnash
• Facebook: @jdecnash615