Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR ) Resident Teacher

Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR) recruits, trains, and supports effective teachers in a Christian context. Residents are college graduates invited to train with a mentor, receive coaching, and participate in Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) coursework through Christian Brothers University. In addition, residents receive housing and a living stipend. During the residency year, participants earn their master’s degree and teach for a full academic year in a mentor’s classroom. While some residents do have undergraduate teacher training prior to the residency, others do not and become a certified teacher at the end of the residency year. Graduating the program, residents agree to teach in Memphis high needs schools for three additional years.

MTR has a mission to provide students in partner neighborhoods with the same, or better, quality of education as is available to any student in Memphis by recruiting, training and supporting highly effective teachers within a Christian context.

MTR combines three aspects of training in order to transform Memphis under-resourced classrooms

1) Theory | Master of Arts in Teaching

Through a partnership with Christian Brothers University, MTR offers residents an accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. For specific details about the program, please visit our website.

2) Practice | Experience

During the residency year, participants are assigned to a mentor teacher at an MTR partner school. The internship provides the opportunity to both observe an expert teacher but more importantly, gain extensive classroom and teaching experience. Classroom expectations align with learning in the MAT academic program. 

3) Support | Coaching and Community Life

Every MTR resident is paired with an experienced coach who provides on-going feedback and guidance along the MTR maturities. The coaching relationship is an essential component to the residency program. Additionally, professional and personal relationships are fostered through intentional MTR "Community" events, as well as more casual opportunities among residents and graduates. Most residents are required to live in MTR housing, The Parcels at Concourse. 

Qualifications

Applicants to MTR are not required to have a degree or training in Education. MTR offers content endorsements for Elementary Education and Secondary Education in Math, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, History,  and English.

Requirements

Minimum requirements for acceptance into MTR include:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited college/university
• 2.75 GPA minimum
• Passing score on Praxis II Content Knowledge Exam (not required at application submission)

Additional qualities that we look for include:

• Growth mindset - belief that everyone has the ability to grow and improve
• Organized - able to manage time and multiple responsibilities effectively
• Asset-based approach - primarily view everything by what it offers, not what it lacks
• Humility & Desire to serve - joyfully willing to do work that others may scorn
• Experience with youth in your desired age range of teaching is an advantage in the application process, but it is not a requirement.

Application Details:

1. Online Application (Required)
2. Recorded Video Interview (Required; Follows Online Application Submission)
3. Selection Event (Required; Invitation Only)

Application Season Opens: 

• June 1, 2024

Applications Close:

• Summer II (early application process): August 11, 2024
• Fall : November 10, 2024
• Spring (final selection process): March 2, 2025

Selection Weekend:

Out-of-town (invited) participants should plan on arriving before noon for Fall Selection. Summer II & Spring Selection Days will be virtual events. 

• Summer II: September 3-4, 2024
• Fall: December 13-14, 2024
• Spring: March 20-21, 2025

Applications, Video Interviews, and Invitations to Selection Events are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Contact: Floresha Smith (floresha@MemphisTR.org)

To complete your application, apply@memphistr.org

Benefits

Benefits of the MTR program include:

• Master of Arts in Teaching through Christian Brothers University (tuition provided)
• Intensive classroom experience with a Mentor-Teacher within an under-resourced school
• State of Tennessee Educator License
• Housing at The Parcels at Crosstown
• $15,600 stipend for the 12-month training period
• Participant /cohort fellowship and community
• Weekly evaluation and mentoring by an MTR Coach
• Americorps service available