About MTR
Our Staff
Executive Leadership
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Megan Salemi, Ed.D.
Executive Director
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Bridget Gentry
Director of Operations & Finance
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Cullen Johnson, Ed.D.
Director of Education
Teaching Institute
To prepare and develop current and aspiring educators through residency-based training, licensure pathways, instructional coaching, and ongoing professional development.
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Rhoda Smith
Residency Director
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Margie Christie
Licensure Program Administrator
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Chelsea Rachiele
Licensing and Praxis Advisor
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Emily Taubken, Ph.D.
Reading Specialist Lead
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Valen Warner
Academic Program Quality Lead
Coaching & School Support
To partner with teachers and schools through practice-based coaching, educator development, and support that strengthens instructional practices that drive long-term student growth.
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Courtney Humphreys
Director of Coaching
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Portia Owens
Graduate Development Director
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Merissa Baldwin
Instructional Coach
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Kenyari Brooks
Instructional Coach
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Brendan Elliott
Literacy Coach
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Kalli Harrell
Instructional Coach
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Jimmy Hill
Instructional Coach
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Paige Kusmec
Instructional Coach
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Konrad Mueller
Literacy Coach
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Calli Rollins
School-Based Lead
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Val Weiss
Instructional Coach
Literacy Institute
To work directly with schools to strengthen instructional practices, develop educators, and improve student outcomes through training, coaching, and support grounded in the Science of Reading.
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Emily Taubken, Ph.D.
Literacy Institute Director
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Mary Kamer
Professional Learning Lead
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Morgan Millon
Literacy Conference Lead
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Catherine Norman
North Star Project Lead
Summer Institute
To offer high-quality summer learning opportunities that support student growth in Literacy and STEM, while also developing future educators and leaders.
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Christy Bakke
STEM Camp Coordinator
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Paige Gray
MTR Camp Coordinator
Organizational Leadership and Support
To build the systems and support — through operations, recruitment, development, and improvement — to sustain and grow high-quality educator development across Memphis.
Recruitment
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Caroline O'Hare
Recruiting Director
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Paige Gray
Recruiter
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Michael Peterson II
Recruiter
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Amber Pittman
Recruiter
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Chelsea Rachiele
Recruiter
Development
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Angie Gardner
Director of Development
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David Montague
President
Support
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Jada Bates
Counselor
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Chuck Butler, Ed.D.
Continuous Improvement Director
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Erika Cleaves
IT Operations Manager
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Gabbie Elliott
Office Operations & Graduate Onboarding Manager
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Annie Hunt
Marketing & Communications Manager
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Kelsea Walkley
Graphic Designer

