They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But even better than a picture is this video telling the story of how one Tennessee community got its bell times moved a little later—a surprisingly challenging accomplishment.
I’m proud to have been part of this change, and to have this opportunity, thanks to Braver Angels’ Citizen-Led Solutions initiative, to help tell this story. I’m also proud to have worked with Beth Malow, a neurologist and sleep MD and parent who worked with other community advocates in Williamson County, TN to get their high school on a more sleep-friendly schedule. By combining Braver Angels skills to overcome divides and foster common ground with Start School Later’s national best practices and resources, Williamson County overcame the fear of change that so often keeps school districts from making even the smallest move in the right direction.
But, again, the video tells the story much better than I can. Check it out.