#MNPSvoices: Thomas Hatfield, Unofficial School District Historian

From the Metro Nashville Public Schools:

October 15, 2020

Thomas Hatfield has done a lot and seen a lot in nearly half a century as a member of the Metro Nashville Public Schools family. His roots run deep, like a family tree diagram. And he has continued his commitment to MNPS even after retirement because of his dedication to children.

Hatfield has been given the unofficial title of “MNPS historian.” This is just one of many ways he cemented his legacy and earned the prestigious honor of having the Thomas W. Hatfield Student Success Center named for him in 2013. The center is located at his alma mater, the historic Cohn School, which now houses the offices of the MNPS Virtual School.

Dr. James Witty, who was the Virtual School’s principal in 2013, recalls why this honor was so appropriate.

“At the end of his tenure, Mr. Hatfield helped envision and actualize MNPS Virtual School’s Student Success Center. The fittingly named Thomas W. Hatfield Student Success Center was dedicated to him in March of 2013, honoring his legacy and service to our district.”

Hatfield started his career with the MNPS Operations Grounds Department when he graduated from high school in 1974. He eventually retired in 2014 as the director of plant maintenance with 40 years of service – and not having used a sick day in more than 35 years.

“I started out making $2.31 an hour cutting grass, with a specialty in weed-eating,” Hatfield said. “The wintertime was reserved for maintenance projects, painting, fencing, and putting in guard posts.

“I spent the next 10 years working and attending school four nights a week, including Saturdays. I earned two associate’s degrees in mechanical engineering and civil engineering from Nashville State Technical College.”

He continued his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in employee relations and a master’s degree in management from Trevecca Nazarene University. With eight siblings, he is proud to be the first among them to earn a college degree.

“It was a tremendous sacrifice on my family, but I am unapologetic, because it was something I wanted to do,” he said.

Hatfield’s title and duties have changed during his tenure with MNPS. He became known as the unofficial historian because of his interest in preserving historic artifacts from the district’s schools.

“I got started by saving hundreds of old trophies from a dumpster death and started high school alumni rooms by recycling the trophies back into the schools,” he said.

East Nashville Magnet High School has the largest alumni room in the country, he said, and features famous MNPS graduates such as Oprah Winfrey.

Finding and restoring MNPS treasures is near and dear to Hatfield. The Metro Schools diploma featured in the photo above belonged to 1924 Hume-Fogg High School graduate Aaron Wasserman. It was discovered at a retail store in Daytona Beach, Fla., and subsequently featured on an episode of Tennessee Crossroads about school museums.

“My hope is to return this diploma to its rightful heirs,” Hatfield said. “The Wasserman family should have this. I have had it in my possession and thoroughly enjoyed it for over 35 years.”

Hatfield is currently serving in a new role as a retired MNPS employee. But he still supports schools part-time as the certified inspector of playgrounds, stadiums, gymnasiums and buildings.

He has received many accolades over the years, and in 2010 he was elected plant manager of the year for the state of Tennessee and the United States. Despite these prestigious honors for his work with buildings and grounds, his most proud moments revolve around people.

“The greatest journey I have had is meeting some mighty fine people,” Hatfield said. “I was always told from various school leaders that this job is all about the children. They would say keep focused on the children. Keep your vision on the education of children. I have done just that.”

This press release was produced by the Metro Nashville Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.