Chattanooga 2.0

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jasmine Fernández to the Chattanooga 2.0 team as our new Director of Adolescent Strategy and Collective Impact!

Dr. Fernández brings a wealth of experience in youth development, education leadership, community organizing, and student support systems. Throughout her career, she has championed efforts that expand opportunity and improve outcomes for young people, ensuring they have the resources, relationships, and guidance needed to thrive.

In this role, she will lead cross-sector efforts to strengthen outcomes for middle and high school youth across Hamilton County, helping align partners, expand access to high-quality opportunities, and support organizations serving young people throughout our community.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Fernández and look forward to the impact her leadership will have on the future of our youth.

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Read more: https://chatt2.org/welcome-to-the-team-jasmine-fernandez/

Three years ago, Chattanooga 2.0 embarked upon an ambitious plan to double the number of elementary students reading and writing on grade level in Hamilton County by 2030. Last year, nearly 41% of students in grades 3–5 were reading on grade level. That’s about 500 more students than if reading rates had not improved since 2021!

But there’s a long way to go before we reach our community’s goal of 70% in just over 4 years. As we look ahead to the work still to be done, a few lessons have emerged that are shaping how we move forward. Read more on the reflections from our very own Brandon Hubbard-Heitz: https://chatt2.org/more-children-are-reading-heres-how-well-build-on-that-progress/

In her first 60 days as Executive Director of Chattanooga 2.0, Dr. Sonia Stewart has been listening closely, building trust, and learning from the students, educators, partners, and community leaders who shape this work every day.

Her reflection offers an inside look at what she’s heard so far, what inspires her about Chattanooga’s future, and how Chattanooga 2.0 will continue working alongside the community to ensure every young person can thrive.

Read her full reflection on her first 60 days with Chattanooga 2.0 at https://chatt2.org/60-day-reflections-executive-director-dr-sonia-stewart/

60 Day Reflections – Executive Director Dr. Sonia Stewart Over the past 60 days as Executive Director of Chattanooga 2.0, I have spent significant time listening, learning, building relationships, and deepening my understanding of both the work and the community we serve.I entered this role with a simple guiding framework: “Know the People, Know the Work...

Last week, Chattanooga 2.0 welcomed 14 students to Orientation Week for the Viable Pathways to Prosperity Welding Pathway! Special thanks to Tech Goes Home and TVFCU for joining the orientation.

In partnership with Chattanooga State Community College and Hamilton County Schools, students will complete an 8-week, 160-hour MIG welding training program featuring hands-on shop experience, classroom instruction, and real-world career exposure designed with industry needs in mind.

Along the way, students will build job readiness skills, connect with the local welding industry, and take the next step toward high-demand careers. We can’t wait to watch this group grow!

Investing in the next generation of skilled workers means investing in a stronger future for our city.

Chattanooga 2.0 is proud to partner with and other local organizations on a new initiative connecting more young people in our community to high-wage, in-demand skilled trades careers. By bringing together schools, labor unions, employers, and local leaders, this effort will expand student access to hands-on technical training, paid work-based learning, and pathways into Registered Apprenticeships and strengthen the workforce our economy depends on.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.org/press/bloomberg-philanthropies-announces-first-of-its-kind-national-skilled-trades-initiative-to-accelerate-high-school-students-into-high-wage-in-demand-trade-careers/

State policy and local action are most powerful when they work together.
Join Chattanooga 2.0's community partners and our very own, Brandon Hubbard-Heitz, Chief Strategy Officer, and Jennifer Andrews, Director of Early Childhood Strategies, as they share how Chattanooga is advancing literacy and early childhood success through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and systems-level change.

📅 June 9, 2026
⏰ 12:30–2:00 p.m. ET

Register now: https://bit.ly/COP-Webinar-Registration

As part of our Viable Pathways to Prosperity initiative, we’re two new roles to help expand career-connected learning, apprenticeship pathways, and economic opportunity for young people across Hamilton County:

☑️ Viable Pathways Operations Manager
📝 Viable Pathways Advisor

These positions will support a new national skilled trades initiative focused on connecting students to high-demand, thriving-wage careers through strong partnerships across education, workforce, labor, and industry.

If you’re passionate about expanding educational opportunity, workforce development, and helping young people build meaningful futures, visit the link below to learn more and apply by June 9: https://chatt2.org/category/job-openings/

Do you believe every child deserves to learn how to read—and that well-supported tutors can help make that possible?

Chattanooga 2.0 is a Program Manager for an AmeriCorps-funded early literacy tutoring program that places trained tutors in some of Hamilton County’s highest-need elementary schools.

The AmeriCorps program manager will support AmeriCorps volunteers, coordinate across schools, track implementation closely, and help ensure our students receive consistent, high-quality reading support every day.

For more information and how to apply, visit: https://chatt2.org/hiring-literacy-first-program-manager-2026/



This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee, Volunteer Tennessee.

Hiring: Literacy First K–2 Tutoring Program Manager To apply, email your resume and a short introduction (one page or less) to Brandon Hubbard-Heitz at [email protected] by June 7, 2026. Tell us what excites you about supporting literacy and managing a high-impact tutoring program for Chattanooga 2.0 in Hamilton County Schools. Job Title: Literacy Firs...

Join The City of Chattanooga Department of Early Learning for a Day in Kindergarten Fair, where families can experience a real kindergarten day through interactive, hands-on learning stations!

This event is designed to help rising kindergarteners feel confident and prepared, while giving caregivers simple tools to support learning at home.

📍 Orchard K**b Elementary School
⏰ Saturday, May 30 | 11 AM – 2 PM

Hamilton County Schools are officially dismissed for the summer! ☀️

As families plan for summer break, Chattanooga 2.0’s Out-of-School Time Program Locator can help you find camps, programs, and opportunities for children and teens across our community.

🔗 Explore the locator here: https://chatt2.org/ost/ost-locator/