Where do we go from here?
MTR 2025–2030 Strategic Plan
Every child deserves a great teacher.
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Our Vision
Restored communities living with dignity and in peace. The vision of MTR is to use our specific work within education, in partnership with other holistic organizations, to help restore communities so that all individuals can become empowered contributors to our city and people of all races and classes can engage with one another in peace.
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Our Mission
Christian love expressed in equal education. As a response to the gospel mandate to love our neighbors as ourselves, MTR will partner to provide students in Memphis neighborhoods with the same, or better, quality of education as is available to any student in Memphis by recruiting, training and supporting effective teachers within a Christian context.
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Our Purpose
To display the love of Christ by bringing the blessings of God’s Kingdom to our city’s schools, through great teachers, for the benefit of students—beginning with the most vulnerable. For every child deserves a great teacher.
We believe…
Educational inequality is one of the greatest human and civil rights issues in America today.
God calls and empowers people to go into the world to offer love and seek justice for all.
Teaching children is among the most important jobs and noble professions one can enter into for the good of others.
MTR’s 3-part strategic plan
MTR will become the largest provider of new teachers for Memphis schools to help fill critical teacher vacancies across the city.
By 2030… MTR will provide licensure for 150+ teachers each year to serve in a Memphis school, more than any other university or program, providing our city with 15-20% of its annual need.
MTR will become the leading provider of professional development for teachers and schools in Memphis to strengthen teacher effectiveness across the city.
By 2030… MTR will have continued to achieve its “Highest” ranking on the State Board of Education’s Teacher Prep Report Card, while a greater percentage of MTR early career teachers will achieve TVAAS level 3 and 4 than graduates of other programs, in demonstration of MTR’s teacher training expertise.
MTR will leverage partner school relationships to increase teacher retention and improve student outcomes.
By 2030… MTR will see 3rd-grade reading proficiency rates in our partner literacy schools at 60% or higher— more than twice the city average; and, MTR graduates’ retention rates will exceed those of non-MTR new hires within the District.
MTR exists to recruit, train, and support effective teachers within a Christian context.
WHAT OTHERS SAY about mtr
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“MTR is widely respected as one of the premier teacher residency models in the country. Their pursuit of innovation while staying rooted in effectiveness is commendable.”
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“MTR’s role in a citywide teacher talent strategy is essential. They bring a thoughtful balance of rigor, relationships, and results.”
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“MTR combines high-quality teacher preparation with an authentic, mission-driven culture. It’s rare to see a faith-based organization with this level of research-grounded effectiveness.”
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“MTR is a shining star in the educator preparation space. We are especially drawn to their willingness to think boldly and act with integrity.”
$15,000,000
That’s the investment needed to fund MTR programming for the next five years and build an initial endowment fund.
Our bold plan will only come to life with the help and support of many friends—like you—who believe every child deserves a great teacher. We invite you to join us on the journey with your financial support, prayer, and community advocacy as we work toward our vision for Memphis.