Rebekah met some of her dearest friends through teaching with MTR - she even met her now husband at her school! Get to know Rebekah and how the relationships she formed through MTR have changed her life.

Dom found herself on an unexpected journey shaped by trusting the Lord and her commitment to authenticity. As she reflects on her time with Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR), Dom shares about her resilience and spiritual growth.

Stu Rozendal moved to Memphis in 2021 to join MTR — without even having visited!

He is driven by curiosity and excellence, both traits that MTR’s staff has fostered in him, specifically Dr. Brandi Cox. With support from mentors like her, Stu aims to grow as an educator to benefit both himself and his students. Not for his gain, but to demonstrate Christian love expressed in equal education.

The stories span 15 years of impact since MTR was founded in 2009. Find a story you’d like to read and sign up for our Newsletter to receive these in your inbox every few weeks!

In a span of just two years in Memphis, Christian's life has been a testament to the profound impact of Memphis Teacher Residency. From overcoming challenges to finding a supportive community, Christian's journey reflects the blessings that MTR has brought into her life, and how she brings those to her students.

Here in Memphis, Lucero embarked on a mission that intertwined her personal history with her professional aspirations. Her journey to teaching began in childhood, with a yearning for representation, for a role model she didn't have.

…As we practice meditation, we come to know the Lord is near, He is able, and He is good….

…I’m not here to be Jesus for someone else. I’m here to literally serve Jesus. My students and their families are the Christ figures. I am his servant here to serve Jesus. Christ in me sees Christ in them, and we serve one another…

In Biblical times, people were compelled to come each day to a well, that critical source of life-giving water. Now, compulsory education requires students to also come to schools each day. And four years in the classroom has shown me that today’s schools can be a similar source of life, that is the dignity and equal opportunity rendered by an excellent education.

As image-bearers, we are already accepted by Him. This gives us the assignment to love ourselves and the responsibility to love all people. That’s our job.

Justice is not just for us, it lingers. Justice inspires. Justice promotes change. Justice is action. Justice is intentional. Justice is sacrifice. Justice is education equity.

Christian Love is consistent. God’s love remains the same; He does not give or take away based on anything I say or do.

Every day my eyes land on a simple sign that hangs in my living room. In bold black letters it reads, “In Memphis as it is in Heaven.”

Our GOAL: Social change expected from the life and teaching of Jesus.

Mark your calendars for July 29 and be part of a movement that champions literacy as a human and civil right. Together, we'll create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive through the magic of books!

“The thing I knew about MTR teachers is that they care. I knew this was where I wanted to invest myself.”

“It was the best of times! It was the worst of times!” It’s funny because I was going for highbrow Charles Dickens, but when I was practicing in front of my students yesterday they told me that this quote was not Charles Dickens, but instead that I got it from Mac and Devin Go to High School starring Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg – but nevertheless, “It was the best of times! It was the worst of times!”

…I wanted to teach in Memphis. And I knew that if I was going to teach in Memphis, I was going to need more than a great bachelor’s degree: I was going to need support.

No background in education. No special gift for writing superb lessons. Just quality training. And consistent feedback.

The Memphis Teacher Residency is designed to provide these things in an intense year-long program, and after experiencing it firsthand, I am comfortable saying it is the best way to train a teacher, especially in a high-needs context.