Best Buddies Leadership Development programs represents one of our organization’s five key mission pillars. The programs educate and empower people with and without IDD to become leaders, public speakers and advocates. Best Buddies passionately believes that its program participants can lead the effort within their community and beyond to build a more inclusive world for people with IDD.
BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors
Offers people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government.
BESTBUDDIES® Promoters
Empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD and help open new Best Buddies chapters and programs by organizing special events that promote awareness to the disability rights movement.
BESTBUDDIES® Transitions
Offers a combination of classroom-based training, experiential learning, and corporate mentorship to help students with IDD explore post-secondary options, prepare for independent living, and identify career ambitions. Workshops and activities offer experiences that aid youth with IDD in their transition into adulthood.
How the Ambassadors Program Works
Advocacy Training
When a Best Buddies participant joins the Ambassador program, they enter into a series of group and private training in speech writing and public and conversational speaking to become advocates for themselves and the disability rights movement.Public Speaking
Once trained, Ambassadors work with Best Buddies staff to identify public speaking opportunities in their local community, where they can share their personal stories with Best Buddies chapters, businesses, legislators, interest groups and donors.Speech Coaches
Each Ambassador is paired with a speech coach, who helps them brainstorm, organize, write, edit and practice a speech and provides one-on-one attention as needed.Ongoing Development
Throughout their participation in the program, Ambassadors have access to a variety of ongoing advocacy trainings led by Best Buddies staff.Advancement
As Ambassadors gain advocacy experience in conversational and public speaking, they have the opportunity to grow into a State or Global Ambassador where they may be invited to speak nationally or internationally on behalf of Best Buddies.How the Promoters Program Works
Connect
Students attending a school without a special education program can join a Promoters chapter to develop connections with people with IDD, or can start one by contacting their local Best Buddies state office.Ongoing Support
Each Promoters chapter is led by a President from the student body and a Faculty Advisor, and is assigned a Best Buddies staff person who offers regular support and guidance.Advocate
Once formed, Promoters chapters host events, activities, fundraisers and assemblies where they advocate for people with IDD, educate the public about inclusion and promote the ideals of the Best Buddies mission.Events
Throughout the school year, Best Buddies encourages all Promoters chapters to host as many activities as possible (minimum of 4) on and off campus that are inclusive of people with IDD.How the Transitions Program Works
Eligibility
Individuals with disabilities beginning at age 14; an annual Best Buddies Consent Form, proof of disability and/or registration documentation may be required by local vocational rehabilitation agencies, where appropriate.Educator Collaboration
Best Buddies Transitions offers students an opportunity to practice and apply career readiness and independent living skills in enriching, community-based learning experiences with support from Best Buddies staff and supporting corporate partners.Implementation
Participants will meet with Best Buddies staff on a regularly scheduled basis to engage in one-to-one programming, small-group sessions, or classroom-style lessons on topics covered by the five Pre-ETS Components, as outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014:- Self-Advocacy/ Mentoring
- Job Exploration Counseling
- Workplace Readiness
- Work-Based Learning Opportunities
- Post-Secondary Counseling
Tennessee Chapter Listing
Elementary Schools 
Middle Schools
High Schools 
Colleges 
Citizens programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
Elementary Schools
- Arlington Elementary (Arlington, TN)
API address [ 11825 Douglass St, Arlington, TN, 38002, US, null, null, 35.28568998690959, -89.66767199787668, null]
- Donelson Elementary- Bulldog Buddies (Arlington, TN)
API address [ 12140 Donelson Farms Pkwy, Arlington, TN, 38002, US, null, null, 35.2533337, -89.6585396, null]
- Henry Elementary School (Henry, TN)
API address [ 937 Pioneer Rd, Henry, TN, 38231, US, null, null, 36.2050297, -88.4112277, null]
- Huntingdon Primary School (Huntingdon, TN)
API address [ 191 Cox St E, Huntingdon, TN, 38344, US, null, null, 36.0106777, -88.4275904, null]
- Jack Anderson Elementary (Hendersonville, TN)
API address [ 250 Shute Ln, Hendersonville, TN, 37075-5829, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Paris Elementary School (Paris, TN)
API address [ 650 Volunteer Dr, Paris, TN, 38242, US, null, null, 36.2923657, -88.304111, null]
- Percy Priest Elementary School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 1700 Otter Creek Rd, Nashville, TN, 37215, US, null, null, 36.0621835, -86.8338488, null]
- Poplar Grove Elementary (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 2959 Del Rio Pike, Franklin, TN, 37069-8701, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Richland Elementary (Memphis, TN)
API address [ 5440 Rich Rd, Memphis, TN, 38120-1941, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- South Gibson County Elementary School (Medina, TN)
API address [ 100 Mt Zion Rd, Medina, TN, 38355, US, null, null, 35.8210542, -88.8131684, null]
- Sunset Elementary School (Brentwood, TN)
API address [ 100 Sunset Trail, Brentwood, TN, 37135, US, null, null, 35.9647397, -86.6849172, null]
- Tusculum Elementary (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 440 McMurray Dr, Nashville, TN, 37211, US, null, null, 36.0637477, -86.7170714, null]
- W.G. Rhea Elementary School (Paris, TN)
API address [ 115 S Wilson St, Paris, TN, 38242-5029, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Middle Schools
- Arlington Middle School (Arlington, TN)
API address [ 5470 Lamb Rd, Arlington, TN, 38002-4486, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bellevue Middle School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 655 Colice Jeanne Rd, Nashville, TN, 37221-2812, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood, TN)
API address [ 5324 Murray Ln, Brentwood, TN, 37027-6205, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Croft Middle Design Center (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 482 Elysian Fields Rd, Nashville, TN, 37211, US, null, null, 36.0880492, -86.734174, null]
- Dorothy and Noble Harrelson School (Puryear, TN)
API address [ 143 Puryear Country Club Rd, Puryear, TN, 38251, US, null, null, 36.4310723, -88.3307633, null]
- Fairview Middle School (Fairview, TN)
API address [ 7200 Cumberland Dr, Fairview, TN, 37062-9710, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Heritage Middle School (Thompson's Station, TN)
API address [ 4803 Columbia Pike, Thompson's Station, TN, 37179, US, null, null, 35.7871157, -86.9181156, null]
- Hillsboro School (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 5412 Pinewood Rd, Franklin, TN, 37064-6217, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Kirkwood Middle (Clarksville, TN)
API address [ 2700 Rossview Rd, Clarksville, TN, 37043, US, null, null, 36.5691049, -87.1941334, null]
- Lakewood Elementary School (Paris, TN)
API address [ 6745 US-79, Paris, TN, 38242, US, null, null, 36.3616483, -88.2116234, null]
- Legacy Middle School (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 2380 Henpeck Ln, Franklin, TN, 37064-5209, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mill Creek Middle School (Nolensville, TN)
API address [ 200 York Trl, Nolensville, TN, 37135-2910, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mount Juliet Middle School (Mt. Juliet, TN)
API address [ 3565 N Mt Juliet Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN, 37122-3047, US, null, null, 36.2195053, -86.51278049999999, null]
- Ooltewah Middle School (Ooltewah, TN)
API address [ 5100 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd, Ooltewah, TN, 37363-8613, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Page Middle School (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 6262 Arno Rd, Franklin, TN, 37064-7901, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Poplar Grove Middle School (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 2959 Del Rio Pike, Franklin, TN, 37069-8701, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Riverdale Elementary School (Germantown, TN)
API address [ 7391 Neshoba Rd, Germantown, TN, 38138-2744, US, null, null, 35.1014539949137, -89.81694103675753, null]
- Rucker-Stewart Middle School (Gallatin, TN)
API address [ 350 Hancock Street, Gallatin, TN, 37066, US, null, null, 36.3747759, -86.46172229999999, null]
- South Gibson County Middle School (Medina, TN)
API address [ 1300 Middle School St, Medina, TN, 38355, US, null, null, 35.8238624, -88.80416100000001, null]
- Spring Hill Middle School (Spring Hill, TN)
API address [ 3501 Cleburne Rd, Spring Hill, TN, 37174-7339, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sunset Middle School (Nolensville, TN)
API address [ 200 Sunset Trail, Nolensville, TN, 37135-3524, US, null, null, 35.9647766, -86.6847348, null]
- Valor Voyager Academy (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 4531 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN, 37211-4732, US, null, null, 36.0690347, -86.72450460000002, null]
- W O Inman Middle School (Paris, TN)
API address [ 400 Harrison St, Paris, TN, 38242, US, null, null, 36.2912378, -88.33393230000001, null]
- Warren County Middle (McMinnville, TN)
API address [ 200 Caldwell St, McMinnville, TN, 37110, US, null, null, 35.6961897, -85.7704892, null]
- West Middle School (Tullahoma, TN)
API address [ 90 Hermitage Dr, Tullahoma, TN, 37388, US, null, null, 35.3417418, -86.22910929999999, null]
- White House Middle School (White House, TN)
API address [ 2020 US-31W, White House, TN, 37188-8960, US, null, null, 36.4326591, -86.6845572, null]
- Whitthorne Middle School (Columbia, TN)
API address [ 915 Lion Pkwy, Columbia, TN, 38401-4605, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Woodland Middle School (Brentwood, TN)
API address [ 1500 Volunteer Pkwy, Brentwood, TN, 37027-8458, US, null, null, null, null, null]
High Schools
- Arlington High School (Arlington, TN)
API address [ 5485 Airline Rd, Arlington, TN, 38002-4068, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Battle Creek High School (Spring Hill, TN)
API address [ 165 Battle Creek Way, Spring Hill, TN, 37174, US, null, null, 35.7071453, -86.9295145, null]
- Battle Ground Academy (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 336 Ernest Rice Ln, Franklin, TN, 37069-6507, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Brentwood High School (Brentwood, TN)
API address [ 5304 Murray Ln, Brentwood, TN, 37027-6205, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Cane Ridge High School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 12848 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN, 37013-2407, US, null, null, 36.029865, -86.6197308, null]
- Centennial High School (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 5050 Mallory Ln, Franklin, TN, 37067-1398, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Collierville High School (Collierville, TN)
API address [ 11605 E Shelby Dr, Collierville, TN, 38017-9511, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Columbia Academy (Columbia, TN)
API address [ 1101 W 7th St, Columbia, TN, 38401-6440, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Columbia Central High School (Columbia, TN)
API address [ 921 Lion Pkwy, Columbia, TN, 38401-4605, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- East Ridge High School (Chattanooga, TN)
API address [ 4320 Bennett Rd, Chattanooga, TN, 37412, US, null, null, 34.9874946, -85.2447043, null]
- Evangelical Christian School (Memphis, TN)
API address [ 7600 Macon Rd, Memphis, TN, 38018-4900, US, null, null, 35.152247, -89.80890079999999, null]
- Fairview High School (Fairview, TN)
API address [ 2595 Fairview Blvd, Fairview, TN, 37062-9027, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Franklin County High School (Winchester, TN)
API address [ 833 Bypass Rd, Winchester, TN, 37398-2307, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Franklin High School (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 810 Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN, 37064-2014, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Franklin Road Academy (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 4700 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN, 37220-1136, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Germantown High School (Germantown, TN)
API address [ 7653 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN, 38138-5967, US, null, null, 35.082793, -89.8076909, null]
- Green Hill High School (Mt. Juliet, TN)
API address [ 220 Old North Greenhill Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN, 37122-2670, US, null, null, 36.2275706, -86.5414095, null]
- Harpeth Hall School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 3801 Hobbs Rd, Nashville, TN, 37215-2216, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Henry Co High School (Paris, TN)
API address [ 315 S Wilson St, Paris, TN, 38242, US, null, null, 36.2962069, -88.2943117, null]
- Hillsboro High School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 3812 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN, 37215-2604, US, null, null, 36.115914, -86.8261399, null]
- Hume-Fogg High (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 700 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, US, null, null, 36.1595518, -86.7817738, null]
- Hunters Lane High (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 1150 Hunters Ln, Nashville, TN, 37207, US, null, null, 36.2792995, -86.7527941, null]
- Independence High School (Thompson's Station, TN)
API address [ 1776 Declaration Way, Thompson's Station, TN, 37179-9674, US, null, null, 35.8245746, -86.89117560000001, null]
- L&N STEM Academy (Knoxville, TN)
API address [ 800 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN, 37902, US, null, null, 35.9644047, -83.9247638, null]
- LEAD Southeast High School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 531 Metroplex Dr, Nashville, TN, 37211-3140, US, null, null, 36.0927025, -86.70371109999999, null]
- Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN, 37204, US, null, null, 36.1066693, -86.79558999999999, null]
- Martin Luther King School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 613 17th Ave N, Nashville, TN, 37203-2816, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- McGavock High School (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 3150 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN, 37214-1634, US, null, null, 36.1852282, -86.6797936, null]
- Milan High School (Milan, TN)
API address [ 7060 E Van Hook St, Milan, TN, 38358-6531, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 4001 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN, 37205-1956, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mt. Pleasant High School (Mount Pleasant, TN)
API address [ 600 Greenwood St, Mount Pleasant, TN, 38474-1007, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Nolensville High School (Nolensville, TN)
API address [ 1600 Summerlyn Dr, Nolensville, TN, 37135-1547, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Oakland High School (Murfreesboro, TN)
API address [ 2225 Patriot Dr, Murfreesboro, TN, 37130-2016, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Page High School (Franklin, TN)
API address [ 6281 Arno Rd, Franklin, TN, 37064-7902, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Ravenwood High School (Brentwood, TN)
API address [ 1724 Wilson Pike, Brentwood, TN, 37027-8105, US, null, null, 35.9556381, -86.7647576, null]
- Rhea County High School (Evensville, TN)
API address [ 885 Eagle Ln, Evensville, TN, 37332-3203, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- South Gibson County High School (Medina, TN)
API address [ 1000 Hornet Dr, Medina, TN, 38355-6941, US, null, null, 35.824051, -88.80347859999999, null]
- Stewarts Creek High School (Smyrna, TN)
API address [ 301 Red Hawk Pkwy, Smyrna, TN, 37167-6756, US, null, null, 35.9283614, -86.5606801, null]
- Summit High School (Spring Hill, TN)
API address [ 2830 Twin Lakes Dr, Spring Hill, TN, 37174-2976, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- The Webb School (Bell Buckle, TN)
API address [ 319 Webb Rd E, Bell Buckle, TN, 37020, US, null, null, 35.5892346, -86.34714919999999, null]
- University School of Nashville (USN) (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 2000 Edgehill Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212-2116, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Valor College Prep (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 4531 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN, 37211-4732, US, null, null, 36.0690347, -86.72450460000002, null]
Colleges
- Carson-Newman University (Jefferson City, TN)
API address [ 1646 Russell Ave, Jefferson City, TN, 37760-2204, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Cumberland University (Lebanon, TN)
API address [ June and Bill Heydel Fine Arts Center, Lebanon, TN, 37087-3408, US, null, null, 36.2052803, -86.2986062, null]
- East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN)
API address [ Burgin E. Dossett Hall, Johnson City, TN, 37614, US, null, null, 36.3041643, -82.36684439999999, null]
- Lincoln Memorial University (Harrogate, TN)
API address [ 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN, 37752, United States, null, null, null, null, null]
- Maryville College (Maryville, TN)
API address [ 502 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN, 37804-5907, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN)
API address [ Bragg Media and Entertainment Building, Murfreesboro, TN, 37130-0002, US, null, null, 35.8468556, -86.3627851, null]
- Rhodes College (Memphis, TN)
API address [ Clough, Memphis, TN, 38112-1624, US, null, null, 35.1539544, -89.9886701, null]
- Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 3500 John A Merritt Blvd, Nashville, TN, 37209, US, null, null, 36.1683042, -86.82560330000001, null]
- Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville, TN)
API address [ Derryberry Hall, Cookeville, TN, 38505, US, null, null, 36.1746834, -85.50402849999999, null]
- University of Memphis (Memphis, TN)
API address [ 3720 Alumni Ave, Memphis, TN, 38111-5914, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- University of Tennessee - Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)
API address [ 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN, 37403-2504, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- University of Tennessee - Knoxville (Knoxville, TN)
API address [ 1331 Cir Park Dr, Knoxville, TN, 37916-3801, US, null, null, 35.9527508, -83.92589280000001, null]
- Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
API address [ 2305 West End Ave, Nashville, TN, 37203-1700, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Citizens
- Memphis Citizens (Memphis, TN)
API address [ null, Memphis, TN, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Nashville Citizens (Nashville, TN)
API address [ null, Nashville, TN, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
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