MTR grad & alum community Hub
See how to get involved:
MTR Residents, Grads & Alums:
We’re so glad you want to continue to stay involved! There are many offerings throughout the year. Read through, or use the buttons below to jump to a section.
Communication
Email Annie (annie@memphistr.org) if you are not receiving any of these communications and would like to be on the list!
Executive director monthly email
~12 emails/year
Current happenings, sign ups, organizational updates, prayer requests, encouragements and teachings
MTR Family Texts
~5-10 texts/year
Event reminders and encouragements
mtr marketplace
Active throughout the year
Free and for sale items, recommendations, hiring opportunities, events, fellowship with other MTR grads
“mtr today” grad & alumni newsletter
Published every January
For grads & alumni only, a way to catch up and hear the happenings of those in your residency class — or not!
Back to school bash (b2SB)
Upcoming: Friday, July 31, 2026 @ 6pm (Location TBD)
Typically the weekend before Memphis-Shelby County Schools is back in session
MTR’s biggest family event of the year
Free entry, dinner provided, drinks for purchase
Link to last year’s B2SB photos. Do not share externally without checking with Annie at annie@memphistr.org
Prayer Nights
Upcoming: To be announced
Happens ~quarterly
A time of prayer and worship with MTR Family for Memphis, our students, teachers, and anything else on your mind
Free entry, dinner provided
Trivia Nights
Upcoming: Thursday, October 8, 2026 @ 6pm (Grind City Brewing Co.)
The Thursday evening before Spring and Fall Breaks
A way to prove your smarts and compete against MTR residents, grads, and alums
Free entry, prizes abound
Intramurals
Fall: Frisbee league
Early Spring: Pickleball one-day tournament
Late Spring: Sand volleyball league
A way to get out and enjoy the sunshine and some friendly competition with MTR Family
Build a team or join as a free agent to get placed with a team
Prices vary by league, discounts offered to Teachers’ Lounge Members
March Madness
Happens during March Madness
Create a men’s and women’s bracket for the chance to win
Free entry, prizes abound
Giving Back
The Teachers' Lounge
Ongoing, year-round
Give just $10/month (or more!) to MTR in order to join The Teachers’ Lounge
Perks include discounts on the Memphis Literacy Conference, gift card raffles, discount cards, books gifted, etc.
Prayer Cards
Ongoing, year-round
Receive a set of prayer cards to flip through every month with 31 specific prayers for teachers, education, MTR and more
See the prayer cards and order them to be sent to your house here
Kroger community Rewards
Ongoing, year-round
Kroger donates a percentage of every grocery run to nonprofits — this is of no charge to you!
Designate MTR as your nonprofit of choice through your account on the Kroger app or website
Volunteer at the Memphis Literacy Conference
Upcoming: September 18-19, 2026
Annually at the end of September
Earn free entry to MLC — work half of the conference and attend the other half. Guaranteed access to the Keynote Speaker
Email Annie (annie@memphistr.org) if you’d like to volunteer in 2026
Leadership
MTR Residency Mentor
Support and develop an MTR resident through co-teaching, gradual responsibility, and ongoing targeted feedback
Applications are open annually, in the early spring
Pay is $2,000 for the year ($900/semester, $200/summer PD)
Contact Rhoda (rhoda@memphistr.org) with questions or interest
MTR Literacy Camp Mentor
Lead a classroom at our elementary literacy camp and mentors a group of 3-4 college fellows
Applications are open annually, December-February
Hours are Monday-Friday in June, 9:00am-1:00pm
Pay is $1,500 + $20/hour for prep work and training
Link to last year’s MTR Camp photos. Do not share externally without checking with Annie at annie@memphistr.org
Contact Caroline (caroline@memphistr.org) with questions or interest
MTR STEM Camp Mentor
Lead a classroom at our middle school STEM camp and mentors a group of 3-4 college fellows
Applications are open annually, December-February
Hours are Monday-Friday in June, 8:00am-4:00pm
Pay is $2,500 + $20/hour for prep work and training
Link to last year’s STEM Camp photos. Do not share externally without checking with Annie at annie@memphistr.org
Contact Caroline (caroline@memphistr.org) with questions or interest
MTRU Advisory Committee
MTRU Advisory Committee members plan and facilitate MTRU events
Applications are open annually, in August
Pay is $150/year
Contact Portia (portia@memphistr.org) with questions or interest
School Captains
School captains are school liaisons who provide various supports to potential new hires
Applications are open annually in early January
Pay is $30/year
Contact Portia (portia@memphistr.org) with questions or interest
Professional Development
Reading Specialist Certification Program
Thirteen month-long IDA-accredited program
Train with MTR’s Memphis Literacy Institute to become a Certified Reading Specialist alongside a small cohort of professionals
Applications for the upcoming cohort (2026-2027) are closed. Applications for the 2027-28 school year will open on September 19, 2026
Memphis Literacy Conference
Upcoming: September 18-19, 2026
Join over 350 PreK-12 teachers and leaders for the annual Memphis Literacy Conference to be trained and equipped with practical resources on the Science of Reading
Registration opens on April 21, 2026
Cost is $35 for Friday and $60 for Saturday, with discounts offered to Reading Specialists and Teachers’ Lounge Members
Link to last year’s MLC photos. Do not share externally without checking with Annie at annie@memphistr.org
MTRU Conferences
Upcoming: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Bi-annual conference in the spring and fall for MTR Family and others, led by teachers for teachers
Free entry, lunch is provided
Recruiting
Referral Bonus
Submit a name of any college student you think might be good for MTR Residency. You’ll get $250 if the referral applies, is accepted, and shows up to Day 1 of residency orientation.
Contact Caroline (caroline@memphistr.org) for any questions or clarifications
Contract Recruiting
Live outside of Memphis? You can help us recruit for the residency and summer fellowships where you are!
Applications open annually in the spring and summer
Pay is $20/hour
Contact Caroline (caroline@memphistr.org) for any questions or clarifications
Social Events