clasroom mangement from day one
know What to Do Day One Forward
This signature training helps teachers and administrators establish structure, culture, and consistency from the very first day of school. Through evidence-based strategies and real-world application, educators learn how to prevent disruptions, engage students early, and sustain positive momentum all year long.
Brief History
On July 29, 2015, Mrs. Mattie Cantrell, Coordinator of Community & School emailed Roderick J. Glatt Ministries (RJGM) to arrange a meeting. On July 31, 2015, Rev. Roderick J. Glatt met with Mr. Derek Sanborn, School Principal and Mrs. Mattie Cantrell at the school office. Mr. Sanborn, in his first year as principal of the school, was interested in reaching out to the Lillard family for more information on Judge Robert E. Lillard, grandfather of Roderick J. Glatt.
While meeting, Mrs. Cantrell asked if RJGM would be interested in entering into a partnership with the school through the Pencil Foundation. On August 12, 2015, Rev. Glatt met with Ms. Sandra Harris, Director, Elementary Partnerships & Programs with the Pencil Foundation and Mrs. Cantrell at the school office to discuss the potential partnership. On September 10, 2015, the official partnership ceremony took place at Robert E. Lillard Elementary School's cafeteria. The ceremony was attended by Rev. Glatt, Ms. Sandra Harris, Mrs. Mattie Cantrell, Mr. Derek Sanborn, REL Student Ambassadors and one parent. Thus this historic partnership was launched.
Sadly, at a June 2020 Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Board Meeting, by a vote of 9 to 0, four public schools in MNPS District 1 were closed and consolidated including Robert E. Lillard Elementary School. Dr. Roderick J. Glatt has convened conversations with MNPS about how to sustain the legacy of his grandfather, Judge Robert E. "Bob" Lillard.
Help a Student
The elementary students who attend Robert E. Lillard School deserve a hand up. During the school year, the following assistance is typically requested:
1. Read aloud to students in a classroom
2. Sponsor an appreciation event
3. Provide hands on help for student assembly
4. Other requests made by school leadership
Closure of Robert E. Lillard Elementary School
Roderick Glatt speaks about plan to close Robert E. Lillard Elementary School
May 17, 2020
Metro School Board Unanimously Vote to Close 4 Schools
Metro School Board Unanimously Vote to Close 4 Schools
May 19, 2020
Judge Robert E. Lillard
Robert Emmitt Lillard became one of the most influential figures in black politics in the city during the mid-20th century.
Lillard was born in Nashville on March 23, 1907. In 1932, the year he entered Nashville's Kent College of Law, he organized the 15th Ward Colored Voters and Civic Club. After passing the bar exam in 1936, Lillard also drove a firetruck with the Nashville Fire Engine Co. No. 11, on 12th Avenue North and Jefferson Street.
In 1951 Lillard won a seat on the city council and with Z. Alexander Looby became the first black members of Nashville's city council since 1911. During Lillard's campaign, white politicians offered him money and jobs to drop out. He responded that white politicians would have to defeat him; he wouldn't be bribed out of the race.
Lillard served on the council for 20 years. He helped make Cameron Junior High School the city's second high school for blacks and to desegregate the Parthenon in Centennial Park. In 1967 he became the first African-American to serve as vice mayor pro tem. Lillard also became a circuit court judge. Lillard died in 1991.
Source: Sinclaire Sparkman, The Tennessean, Feb. 11, 2015
Judge Robert E. Lillard
"You Can If You Try, Not Cry"
Honorable Robert Emmtt Lillard
A Memorial Resolution
The Tennessee Judicial Conference mourns the passing of Robert Emmitt Lillard on November 6, 1991. Judge Lillard's life was marked by noble accomplishments, limitless love for his family and friends, complete devotion to his home and his country, unrestricted dedication to the practice of law, and a deep religious belief.
Robert Emmitt Lillard was born on March 23, 1907, in Trimble Springs Bottom in South Nashville. He spent his entire lifetime in Nashville and was educated here. Because he always aspired to be a lawyer, he enrolled in Biggins Commercial College, and from there he attended Kent College of Law. He received his law degree from Kent in [1935]. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1936, the Federal District Court in 1955, the Circuit Court of appeals in 1957, and the Supreme Court in 1962.
Judge Lillard was employed by the Metropolitan Fire Department from 1936 until 1950, during which time he also maintained a part-time private law practice. In 1950, he established a full-time practice and also began a career in politics. He served on the Nashville City Council from 1951 to 1963 and on the Metropolitan Council from 1963 to 1971. He was appointed to the Tennessee State Bord of Paroles in 1964 and reappointed in 1967. In 1978, he was appointed Judge of the First Circuit Court of Davidson County, becoming the first black judge of a circuit court in the County.
His professional membership were many. He served as the only two term president in the history of the National Bar Association from 1961 until 1963 and was one of the founders of the J. C. Napier Lawyer's Association, which later became the Napier-Looby Bar Association. He was a member of the America, Tennessee, and Nashville Bar Associations, American Judicature Society, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Seay-Hubbard United Methodist Church, American Federation of Labor, Protective Order of Elks, and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He also served as Divisional Chairman for United Givers Fund, March of Dimes, and American Red Cross and was on the Boards of the Boy Scouts, Century Club, Historical Landmarks Association, Legal Services, Inc., Boys Club, and Mid-Cumberland Council of Governments.
A great man once opined that before one passes judgment on the quality of another's accomplishments, one should know the obstacles that person had to overcome. Judge Lillard's love of the law and desire to serve drove him to him many accomplishments. He will be remembered for his service, for his willingness to train younger lawyers, and, not the least, for his full-bodied bass voice which made him such an effective advocate and formidable adversary.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Tennessee Judicial Conference that the life and record of Robert Emmitt Lillard, as a member of this Conference, we have been honored and blessed, and in his passing we have sustained a grievous loss which we deplore as one personal to us all; that this memorial and resolution be placed in the permanent records of the Conference and entered on the "In Memoriam" minute book of the Chancery Court of Davidson County; and the copies be furnished to the members of Judge Lillard's family.
This 8th day of April, 1992
Robert S. Brandt, President
Wheeler A. Rosenbalm, Secretary
Robert E. Lillard (1907-1991)
Robert E. Lillard Design Center School
Robert E. Lillard Design Center School
Robert Emmitt Lillard was born March 23, 1907, in Nashville, Tennessee, to John W. and Virginia (Allen) Lillard. Dr. Glatt's profound understanding of leadership was cultivated through the invaluable mentorship of his grandfather, Judge Robert E. Lillard.
Robert E. Lillard Design Center School
Robert E. Lillard Design Center School
Robert E. Lillard Design Center School
On November 30, 2004, Kings Lane Elementary School was renamed Robert E. Lillard Elementary Design Center School in honor of Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Lillard, who in 1950, was one of two African Americans elected to serve on the Nashville City Council since 1911 (Linda T. Wynn, 2018, Profiles of African Americans in Tennessee).