Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Stroope.
Hi Jenna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
A little over 10 years ago I finished my masters degree in teaching and began working as a special educator in public schools. Three years ago I ended up at Illuminate Academy, a private school in East Nashville for school-aged learners with special needs. This is where my career really flourished. I learned so much from them – the most ethical and dignified practices I had been exposed to. I taught a high school vocational classroom with learners ranging from ages 13-22.
In 2024 I had to go on medical leave. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and required treatment that wouldn’t let me continue teaching in the classroom while I recovered. During my recovery, I had A LOT of downtime. I spent hours upon hours researching vocational training programs for people with disabilities, preparing to get back into the classroom with new and fresh ideas the following school year. During this research, I found an unfortunate pattern – so many learners are exiting high school unprepared for their next steps, especially employment. I explored government programs, non-profits, and private institutions. While there are great programs and opportunities out there, there still aren’t enough of them to meet the needs of our community. It was during this time I began to dream of opening up my own program. And here I am now! August 2025 I open the doors for our first cohort.
Employment is critical for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities because it supports dignity, inclusion, and long-term well-being. It gives people a sense of purpose, pride, and identity. It combats stigma and improves overall mental health and quality of life. Unfortunately, there is a large gap of employment between people with disabilities and non-disabled individuals. Our state ranks 44th in the U.S. for employment for this population, and nation-wide, the statistics are alarming. People with disabilities want to work, should work, and deserve the opportunity to work. A program like BrightSteps helps fill the gap by creating a program that targets vocational exploration and job readiness skills. A key component of our program is community-based instruction (CBI). Students with disabilities report feeling more confident and prepared when they have hands-on work experience like job shadowing, workplace tours, and volunteer opportunities. This fostered real-world experience, vocational skills, and self-advocacy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Things have been pretty smooth sailing while at the same time a sharp learning curve. I feel extremely lucky I have a background in special education, as well as business operations – this has given me a foundation to stand on as I created BrightSteps.
I feel the biggest challenge I am facing right now is getting the word out about BrightSteps. I want families, caregivers, school districts, etc to know we exist and that they can use BrightSteps as a resource for neurodivergent teens and young adults getting ready to graduate high school.
The support I’ve received from my family, friends, organizations, and the greater Nashville community has been overwhelming. And I hope the support can continue to enable BrightSteps, as well as all of the other organizations with similar missions and goals, to have the ability to support individuals with disabilities. I encourage businesses and organizations to get involved. Reach out to any of us with opportunities to include our participants. The impact is exponential – everyone becomes enriched. It truly expands your heart and your mind in ways you didn’t know possible until you take the step.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
About BrightSteps:
BrightSteps is a Nashville based school-to-work transition program developed to prepare neurodivergent teens and yound adults for life after highschool. We are a day program following the Metro Nashville school district calendar. Participants in the program go to class Monday through Friday 8:30-2:30. They engage in a four pillar curriculum – 1. Vocational Exploration & Job Readiness Skills 2. Social-Emotional Learning 3. Life Skills 4. Functional Math & Literacy. A major component of the program is community-based instruction (CBI). We believe nothing beats hands-on, real-world experiences. We partner with local businesses and organizations to give our participants access to workplace tours, informational interviews, job shadows, and volunteer work. We also engage in CBI’s in the community to work on life skills such as self-advocacy.
Our instructional philosophies:
*Connection first: when students feel safe, valued, and heard, the door opens to meaningful growth and opportunity.
*Regulation over expectation: when we are in a dysregulated state, we are not available to learn. Flexibility and meeting students where they are will always be the top priority.
*Student-led: our goal is to help students feel empowered. Identifying their strengths, interests, and goals is an integral part of BrightSteps.
What sets BrightSteps apart from others:
We specialize in creating a STUDENT-LED, post-graduation roadmap to employment. Everyone’s vocational journey should be as unique as the individual. We begin with self-exploration. We identify and explore interests and strengths. We add in opportunities for exposure to a wide variety of employment settings to see what else they might enjoy and that aligns with who they are. The goal is not just a job, but meaningful employment that brings joy, fulfillment, and sense of purpose.
What’s next?
My goal for BrightSteps is to become a known and trusted program in Tennessee that prepares individuals with disabilities for life after high school – that our participants gain the exposure, practice, and knowledge to confidently attain employment. I want participants to feel like they have gained community within our walls, that they belong here – that they are valued and capable of big things. I want to contribute to shrinking the employment gap between people with disabilities and non-disabled people.
I am looking forward to connecting and building partnerships with our participants – that it is known that myself and the staff are safe people who care about them and want them to succeed. That they experience support and encouragement as they build fulfilling lives. I am also looking forward to building relationships with the Nashville community. Creating a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities benefits individuals with disabilities, but also the community at large. It builds a more equitable society – when people with disabilities are fully included in jobs, neighborhoods, and public life, everyone gains a deeper understanding of diversity, empathy, and human value. It strengthens the workforce by improving morale and loyalty, expanding the talent pool, and increases retention. It reduces dependency on public programs and increases economic participation. In general, inclusive communities are healthier, more compassionate, and more connected. They celebrate everyone’s contribution, regardless of ability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brightstepstn.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightstepstn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/BrightSteps-LLC/61578582580477/
