Jonathan Scoonover

10 Year Vision for Knoxville My vision for Knoxville 10 years from now is that it would be the best city in which to raise a family...regardless of race/ethnicity, creed, orientation, or zip code. What is Knoxville's Best Kept Secret? I am constantly surprised by folks that live in our community that do not take advantage of our amazing downtown. We have so many festivals, parades, events, restaurants, parks, greenways, etc. There is so much to experience here! What would you do to strengthen Knoxville? I would love to support/ensure the development of a robust systems-approach to strengthening early care and education in Knoxville. In the words of Harvard University pediatrician Jack Shonkoff, “Brains are built, not born.” Brain scientists have discovered that during children’s earliest years, their experiences are built into their bodies—shaping the brain’s architecture and creating the foundation for future learning. Everything a child experiences from birth impacts that child’s ability to fulfill their potential. Decades of research have established what children need to build strong brains—health, mental health, and development on track from birth, supportive and supported families and communities, and high-quality learning environments with regular attendance. We must support our children and their families with a two-generation approach that sets them up for a successful future! What is your favorite Knoxville memory? Growing up as a native Knoxvillian, I have many fond memories of this amazing city—proposing to my wife down on the riverfront on New Year’s Eve, our wedding the following year, the birth of my daughter at St. Mary’s hospital. But probably my most quintessential Knoxville memory comes from my childhood…specifically my mom's retelling of something I was technically too young to remember. My parents were living in married student housing on Laurel Avenue when the World's Fair came to Knoxville in 1982. My mom took me every single day down to the fair and we rode the gondola sky ride. She knew how to time it perfectly to be on the lift during the nightly fireworks show. What a gift to experience a special moment in Knoxville history at such a formative time in my development! What is your favorite book or what book is currently on your nightstand? The most impactful book I've read thus far in 2022 is The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee What is the best advice you have received from a mentor, and who was that mentor? One of my guiding quotes comes from Dr. Edward Deming—“Every system is perfectly designed to achieve the results it gets.” Community change cannot happen without a fundamental transformation of our current systems. I have spent my life working in a variety of sectors (education, social justice, child protection, etc.), but the single thread of commonality is a sharp focus on enhancing (and at times demolishing and replacing) systems. What advice would you give to your 16 year old self? Don't be afraid to ask out Beth Wilson--she's the one!