Remembering Cassandra Teague Walker '67
Peabody Demonstration School's first African-American graduate passed away September 3, 2025. Cassandra Teague Walker '67 returned to her alma mater many times to share her experiences with young students and is featured on the 21st Avenue garage mural.
Dear USN families,
One of our school heroes has passed away, and I ask each of us to take a minute to think about the courage it took for Cassandra Teague Walker ’67 and her parents to choose Peabody Demonstration School in 1964. Under the leadership of Dr. Knox McCharen, PDS integrated in the 1964-1965 school year, welcoming two Black girls and two Black boys in ninth grade (and 2 Black children in each grade from nursery school through 8th grade (see McCharen’s announcement here). Cassandra was one of the four new ninth graders that fall. She was a National Achievement Scholarship Program finalist, graduated in three years — becoming our first Black graduate — and went on to attend Fisk University.
Walker returned often to USN during her legal and real estate career to speak with our students, and she graciously helped us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school’s integration in 2014. Then in 2018, the Class of 2025 and local artist-in-residence Joseph “doughjoe” Love III enshrined her forever in the 21st Avenue garage mural “Nashville For Us All.” Dressed as an Edgehill polar bear, Walker punts a giant soccer ball bearing the words community, home, equality, diversity, hope, and empathy.
Former Director Vince Durnan described her as “a cornerstone of the whole story, an amazing trailblazer and force of nature–and she never, ever backed down. She’s one of the reasons the school was worth saving in 1975.”
Rest in peace, our friend and hero.
Warmly,
Juliet Douglas
Interim Director
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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MS Quiz Bowl team heads to national championships
The Quiz Bowl team traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to face several top teams from across the country at this year's South Warren Tournament. USN's second-place finish earned the team an invitation to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments' National Championships in May.Read More -
Alumni return to share insights with students
Read MoreIn an inspiring new initiative, USN's health care career spotlight, organized by Ruchika Ramachandran ’27 and Yvonne Wang ’27, brought a wealth of alumni back to the school for an evening of shared expertise and personal stories. This first-of-its-kind event was a great example of the power of connection, mentorship, and community evident throughout the USN community. -
Band students meet composer Larry Clark
Ahead of the All Bands Winter Concert, students got to play for Larry Clark, the composer who arranged the holiday medley that the band will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 9 in Durnan Auditorium.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.