Dr. Michael D. Thompson
Dr. Michael Thompson, an educational and entrepreneurial professional, is an instructional specialist at Una Elementary School. He is serving as testing coordinator and MTSS-A lead for the school. Under his leadership. The school achieved 100% participation rates in multiple screening test areas and established new personalized learning time (PLT) structures. The school saw a significant amount of students ascend from high risk to low/no risk academically. Since 2003, he has served in several positions for Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), including elementary and middle school teacher, Title I coordinator, ELL specialist, academic coordinator, and district level ELL administrator.
In his previous role, Thompson served in the Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) as site coordinator at Warner Arts STEAM Magnet Elementary School, where he was responsible for providing professional development, STEAM initiatives, and assisting with brand recognition. He coordinated procurement, contracting and fiscal oversight of magnet school programs and all associated grants and funding. He ensured compliance with all federal purchasing rules. He also served as the curriculum specialist, providing instructional coaching. While serving as the chair of the fine arts team, Thompson also launched the school’s conservatory program, which resulted in a reduction of chronic absenteeism by more than 10% and an improvement of satisfactory attendance percentage from 35% to one that almost doubled!
Through consistent student, teacher, leadership, family, and community engagement, Dr. Thompson fostered an environment which supported outside-the-box thinking. He credits his world-class positivity and entrepreneurial marketing and design skills for contributing to the school’s increase of enrollment from 178 to 407 in under 5 years and for reducing minority group isolation. “As principal, I have ideas about how I want things to look,” says Principal Dr. Ricki Gibbs, “but Dr. Thompson brings those to life in a way that is visually amazing and engaging to our stakeholders. Having him on my team gives us the ability to dream knowing he can come up with ideas that craft our message perfectly.” In 2022, the school exited State Priority Status (bottom 5%) and earned State Reward School Status (top 5%) simultaneously.
Thompson is also the founder of Michael David Media, a custom publishing company he started in 1999 and has published several niche publications such as City Educator Magazine, Mentor Magazine, Be More magazine, SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Conference Guidebook; and a two-time publisher of the annual meeting and conference guides for Tennessee Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TNTESOL). He is the author of the book, “The Long-Term English Learner Ordeal,” which is a causal comparative study that explores reasons ELs born in America still enter high school without English proficiency.
Thompson earned a Doctor of Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University. He holds Tennessee licenses as a Realtor and Educator with certifications in K-12 ESL, PreK-12 Administration, and K-6 All Subjects.
Thompson, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, is married to his best friend, Deborah. They have a talented daughter named Savannah.
Education Professional 