Meet Dr. Brenda Jones of Invictus Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Brenda Jones

Hi Dr. Brenda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Nashville, and as a first-generation high school graduate, I know firsthand how transformative education can be. After graduating from Metro Nashville Public Schools, I went on to earn degrees from Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State, and Trevecca Nazarene, each step solidifying my belief that education is the key to unlocking personal and professional freedom.

Throughout my career, I’ve served as a math teacher, instructional coach, Dean of Curriculum, and Assistant Principal, always driven by a passion to create better opportunities for students. During the pandemic, I opened a tutor center to support families as they navigated virtual learning, deepening my commitment to the community I love.

It’s been my dream to open a school, and that dream is now becoming a reality with Invictus Nashville. What makes this journey even more special is that the school has been designed with the community at its heart. We didn’t just build a school; we built a vision alongside local parents, educators, students, and leaders. Together, we explored what Nashville needs from its schools, and their input helped shape a model that emphasizes personalized learning, character development, and real-world application.

At Invictus Nashville, we believe that education should be as unique as the students we serve. Our mission is to empower every student to find their own path to success, equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with the habits of success and a heart for service. This school is more than a place for learning—it’s a reflection of Nashville’s hopes, dreams, and values.

I’m beyond excited to bring this vision to life in my hometown and to open our doors to the first cohort of students. This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a lasting impact on the community that shaped me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to opening Invictus Nashville has been full of challenges, but each one has strengthened our resolve and brought us closer to our goal. When I first set out to create a new school in my hometown, I knew it would be tough, but the obstacles we faced were even greater than anticipated.

One of our most significant setbacks was the denial of our initial charter application by the local school board. As a Nashville native and proud graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools, this was deeply discouraging. The political landscape here has made it nearly impossible for new charter schools to gain approval, and we felt the weight of that reality. However, we didn’t let this stop us. We took our case to the Tennessee Public Charter Commission, and in October 2023, we finally received approval. The commissioners not only approved our charter but also affirmed the hard work and dedication we had put into our vision for Invictus Nashville.

After our approval, we had to make the tough decision to defer our opening by a year due to the incredibly limited and complex real estate market in Nashville. Finding a suitable facility proved to be a much larger hurdle than we had planned for. But this deferral turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave us invaluable time to engage more deeply with the community, develop our leadership team, secure a facility, and build stronger partnerships within the community. We used this time to ensure that every aspect of Invictus Nashville would meet the needs and expectations of the families we aim to serve.

Now, with over 200 interest forms submitted, it’s clear that the community is ready and eager for a school like Invictus. The road to get here has been long and filled with twists and turns, but each challenge has prepared us to create a school that truly reflects and serves our community. I can’t wait to open our doors and begin making a lasting impact on the city I love.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Invictus Nashville?
Invictus Nashville is more than just a school; it is a movement, deeply rooted in the belief that education is the key to unlocking personal and professional freedom. Invictus Nashville seeks to provide an equitable and transformative educational experience that meets the needs of the city’s most underserved communities.

As Nashville’s first public charter Montessori school, Invictus serves students from PreK through 8th grade, combining a proven Montessori approach with an innovative, community-centered mission. Our holistic educational model goes beyond academics. We integrate daily mentoring, where students receive personalized guidance, and our unique Community Expeditions week, which occurs once every quarter. During this week, students engage in service projects and explore different interests, hobbies, and potential careers through partnerships with local businesses and organizations. This experience not only deepens their understanding of the world but fosters a strong connection to the community around them.

What sets Invictus Nashville apart is our unwavering focus on developing healthy, happy, whole humans. We are known for combining rigorous academics with social-emotional learning, character building, and equity. Through a personalized, child-centered curriculum, we create an environment where students thrive, cultivating their independence, curiosity, and empathy.

Our offerings go beyond education. We are a hub for growth, empowerment, and community engagement. We provide an environment where students can thrive academically while also gaining the life skills needed to succeed beyond the classroom. We are currently preparing for a strong opening, with deep investments in talent development, curriculum refinement, and facility planning, all while receiving a surge of interest from families in the community.

We want readers to know that Invictus Nashville is not just a place where children learn—it’s a place where they become the leaders of tomorrow. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, high-quality educational experience that equips students with the tools they need to reach their fullest potential. With a focus on character, community, and equity, Invictus Nashville is building a brighter future for Nashville’s youth, one student at a time.

How do you think about luck?
It depends on who you ask. Statistically, I wasn’t supposed to make it. I grew up in a broken home, raised by a parent who loved me dearly but struggled with her own addictions. No one in my family had graduated from high school, and by all accounts, I was expected to continue that same cycle. But even from a young age, I knew the trajectory of my family’s past wasn’t the future I wanted for myself.

I learned early on how to advocate for myself, and that advocacy caught the attention of teachers and mentors who saw something in me and supported my dreams. Their guidance and belief in my potential helped me succeed, not just in school but in life.

Some might call it luck, others divine intervention. Either way, I am profoundly grateful—for every opportunity, every person who stepped in to help, and for the resilience that got me here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.invictus-nash.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invictusnashville/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/invictusnashville