2024-2025 Yearbook
It is with deep gratitude and great excitement that I reflect on all we accomplished together this past year at Teach For America Nashville-Chattanooga. This report is not just a collection of numbers and stories it is a testament to the collective effort of so many who believe in the power and potential of our students.
Because of your support, we had more than 100 corps members, more than 300 Ignite Tutors and over 1,100 alumni teaching, leading, and advocating for students across Nashville and Chattanooga in the 2024 and 2025 school year. Our network provided leadership in high-need schools throughout Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Public Schools, and our various Charter Partners throughout middle and east Tennessee.
This work is grounded in our bold local 2030 Goal: to double the number of students in our partner districts who meet key academic milestones in 3rd grade reading and 8th grade math, setting them firmly on a path toward long-term economic mobility. Reaching this goal requires building strong pipelines of teachers, partnerships across the community, and aligning ou Child and Youth Collaborative and Chattanooga collaborative impact. Together, we are laying the fo change.
As you turn the pages of this report, I hope you pride and inspiration that I do. Every story, every d every student impacted is possible because of yo mission. I am profoundly grateful for your comm vision that one day, all children will have the oppor an excellent education.
With appreciation and resolve,
Stephen Santellan Executive Director
By 2030, twice as many children in communities where we work will read proficiently in 3rd grade and score proficiently 8th grade math, indicating they are on a path to economic mobility and co-creating a future filled with possibility.
MNPS students have made sustained academic progress since 2021, with proficiency rates increasing by 12.8 percentage points in ELA and 19.2 percentage points in Math
In 3rd grade reading, students in MNPS have grown by nearly 11 percentage points since 2021 (22.4% to 33%)
Hamilton County students met or exceeded grade-level expectations on TCAP at a higher rate than the year before – a 39.4% proficiency in ELA and 37.8% proficiency in Math
In 8th grade math, students in Hamilton County have grown by over 17 percentage points since 2021 (20.3% to 37.8%)
In Nashville-Chattanooga, more than 1,500 Teach For America leaders are driving change for students— whether in classrooms, in education adjacent careers, or in the community.
We recruit and prepare mission-driven individuals from all academic disciplines, professions, and backgrounds and equip them with the skills to inspire and empower every student they serve. Our corps members, alumni, and Ignite Fellows (tutors) work together to expand opportunities, ensuring all children across Nashville and Chattanooga have the chance to learn, lead, and thrive.
Corps Members, Alumni, and Ignite Fellows
Students Impacted by TFA Corps Members, Alumni, and Fellows
96
2024-2025 Corps Members
7,400
Students Taught by Corps Members
Ignite Fellows (Tutors) 236 of Corps Members Identify as BIPOC 34% of Corps Members Identify as the First in Their Family to Attend College 28%
I originally joined Teach For America, knowing that I wanted to make a difference in the futures of children and advocate for empathy and justice everywhere I go. After years of community service and working with kids, I felt called to pursue Teach For America’s mission of academic equity and excellence. This experience has transformed me personally and professionally and brought so much growth into my life. While it was not always easy, I am so thankful.
This past year has been incredibly challenging in ways I’ve never expected. I have struggled, learned, adapted, cried, and grown both professionally and as a person. I am so thankful for the support and encouragement Teach For America has given me throughout this journey, especially my coach and CMs at my schools. While first-year teaching is incredibly difficult at times, TFA has provided me with the incredible opportunity to grow young minds and hearts.
Throughout the challenges I faced, I found myself becoming stronger than I knew I would be. I learned so much about classroom management, universal design, working with a team, but, most importantly, how to lead with love. My students inspire me to show up better and brighter every day and have granted us an invaluable privilege: the opportunity to create a community where every student is known and every student is appreciated.
Dahlia Barton TFA Nashville-Chattanooga
1st Grade Teacher
Bellshire Elementary
‘24
We chose to do TFA to join a vast network of likeminded individuals who believe that access to an equitable education should be the standard for every child within our nation’s borders. We both have a background working with kids and love being able to inspire and influence young minds that shape our future, as we were once molded by patient and strong public school teachers who certainly left a mark on our lives. Additionally, we were both drawn to TFA and what an accessible way it is to get teachers certified without a formal background in education.
In April of 2025, the Tennessee State Senate passed SB0836 which would allow school districts to deny undocumented children from accessing public schools. We knew we couldn’t sit with that and do nothing. So, we started a fundraiser called Pedals for Pencils. It began as a wild idea between two exhausted teachers who also really like to bike. But it quickly became something more: a way to raise awareness beyond our own classrooms and raise money for the things our students need most. While amassing a viral audience on TikTok and Instagram (@pedalsforpencils), we documented our journey biking through the state of Vermont, from Massachusetts to Canada, and raised over $16,000 for our cause.
Not only are we able to donate significant portions of our funds to La Paz Chattanooga and TIRRC, organizations here on the ground in TN fighting exclusionary legislation and supporting migrant families, but we also are thrilled to be able to distribute $500 stipends to teachers across Title 1 schools in Nashville and Chattanooga who serve migrant students.
Grace Miller
TFA Nashville-Chattanooga ‘24
Sheltered Geometry, The Howard School
Kate Livesay
TFA Nashville-Chattanooga ‘24
8th Grade Social Studies, Dalewood Middle School
“Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift—that’s why they call it the present.” This quote guides me as the College & Career Coach at Pearl-Cohn High School, where
I’m now in my second year. I love helping students plan their futures, celebrate their successes, and supporting families along the way.
My path to education wasn’t traditional. During the pandemic, I wanted job security and leaned into my passion for education through Teach For America. That opportunity opened the door for me to teach, and once I stepped into the classroom, I quickly fell in love with the work and the students I served. Reconnecting with TFA in 2023 gave me a community that encouraged both personal and professional growth, which inspired me to join the Nashville Aspiring School Leadership Fellowship.
Leadership is challenging, but I believe it allows me to be a role model while equipping others with confidence and skills to succeed. My goal as an educator isn’t to change students, but to give them opportunities, support, and belief in themselves so they can thrive. At Pearl-Cohn, I’m grateful to live that mission every day.
Elizabeth Shelby Jackson TFA Nashville-Chattanooga ‘20 Collective Board Member, Nashville Aspiring School Leaders Fellow
The Ignite Fellowship is a tutoring corps that we provide to students across Nashville and launch, Ignite has helped students reach k milestones through high-impact tutoring. By d support and fostering meaningful conn accelerate lear in their classro
uccess in secondary education and economic mobility.
to an increased likelihood of high school graduation.
ngage early-career ge students and develop their educational equity mindsets.
$250,000+
Asurion
The Bill & Crissy Haslam Foundation
The Scarlett Family Foundation
Tennessee Department of Education
$100,000-$249,999
The Joe C Davis Foundation
The Footprint Foundation
The Frist Foundation
Hamilton County Schools
Metro Nashville Public Schools
$25,000 - $99,999
Amazon
AmeriCorps/Volunteer Tennessee Anonymous
$10,000 - $24,999
AventuraCommunitySchool
Melinda&JeffBalser
Daphne&RawlsButler
Raja&GeoffClark
Ward&AshleyDavenport
Benwood Foundation
The Lillian L. Colby Foundation
The City Fund
East End Preparatory School
The William Stamps Farish Fund
Samuel M Fleming Foundation
Gerard & Susan Geraghty
HCA Foundation
The Howard Fund
Milton & Denice Johnson Family Foundation
KIPP Nashville
LEAD Public Schools
The Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Maclellan Family Foundations
Nashville Classical School
Purpose Preparatory Academy
Rogers Group, Inc
Tennessee American Water
The Tucker Foundation
Anne Potter Wilson Foundation
Teach For America Nashville-Chattanooga is deeply grateful for the support of the following individuals, corporations, and foundations that contributed to our efforts in our most recent fiscal year (June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025).
DollarGeneralLiteracyFoundation
TheEducationTrustinTennessee
TheEnchiridionFoundation
HenryGeny
GeorgeR.JohnsonFamilyFoundation
WeldonF.OsborneFoundation
TheMarleneandSpencerHaysFoundation
RechterFamilyFundoftheCommunity FoundationofMiddleTennessee
TennesseeValleyAuthority
ClayThompson
UnitedWayofGreaterChattanooga
UnitedWayofGreaterNashville
Pam&TomWyllyAdvisedFundoftheCommunity FoundationofMiddleTennessee
$5,000-$9,999
Ted & Kelly Alling
April & Michael Berman
Paul & Susu Brock
Elizabeth Dennis
Enterprise Solutions
The Flautt Family Fund
MSB Cockayne Fund, Inc.
Simmons Bank
Smithson-Craighead Academy
Julie & Patrick Stowe
STRIVE Collegiate Academy
Kristin & Don Taylor
Valor Collegiate Academies
$1,000-$4,999
Glenn & Mary Lauren Baird
Regions Bank
Mark & Bette Christofersen
Joe & Ashley Cook
Karl Dean & Anne Davis
Rascoe Dean
Bob & Anne Doolittle
Mr. and Mrs. Charles & Patricia Elcan
Jay & Missy Elliott
Paul Hetrick
Robin Lee
Kincaid & Allison Mills Fund
Norma & Olan Mills II Family Fund
Kevin Monroe
Tom & Kristina Montague
Up to $999
Allison & Davis Acker
Anonymous
Carol Bonser
Lauren & Mark Brueggen
Chambliss Center For Children
Matthew Cheek
Gordon Davenport
Fletcher Bright Company
Gift Horse Nashville
Elissa Kim
Jill Keegan Levine
Lee & Valerie Molette
Ashley Northington
Ben & Regina Schumacher
Dr. Laquita Stribling
Mr. Charles A. Sueing
As I reflect on the past year at Teach For America Nashville-Chattanooga, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible community that surrounds this work. This year’s annual report is a celebration of the collective power we have to transform education and open doors for every student across our city.
Serving as board chair, I witness firsthand how the dedication of supporters like you fuels real change in classrooms and neighborhoods. Nashville and Chattanooga are cities of opportunity and complexity, and while educational inequities remain, our progress shows that meaningful solutions are within reach when a community comes together with focus and heart.
What stands out most to us is the unwavering commitment that defines our network—corps members, alumni, tutors, educators, donors, and partners—who all share a vision for a future where every child thrives. This shared belief in possibility is what inspires us to keep push
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your trust and support are the foundation of the work ahead, and we are excited to continue breaking new ground alongside you. Together, we are not only shaping outcomes we are shaping the future of Tennessee.
In partnership,
Charles Sueing, Jr. Regional Advisory Board C TFA Nashville Chattanoog
President, The Sueing Agency
Charles Sueing Board Chair
Associate, Bass, Berry & Simms
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Allison Acker
Community Volunteer
Daphne Butler
Executive Director, Nashville Teacher Residency
Senior Vice President, Legal, Kenco
Kathy Dyer
Community Volunteer Jay Elliot
Vice President, Corporate Sponsorship Services, Nashville Predators
Jerry Geraghty
Robin Lee
President, Molette Investment Services
Attorney at Law, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison
Matt Cheek
Principal, Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts
Rascoe Dean
Jill Levine
Lee Molette
Managing Partner, The JumpFund
Kristina Montague
Thank you to these individuals who choose to give their time and energy to furthering our vision: One day, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
Amanda Glover
Board Chair
Nashville ‘11
Director of Policy Initiatives, Tennessee SCORE
Nashville ‘11
Osteopathic 4th Year Medical Student, Lincoln Memorial University
Shalimar Gates
Nashville ‘13
Matthew Cheek
Board Vice Chair
South Carolina ‘14
Executive Director, Nashville Teacher Residency
Emma Volpe Sherrick
Board Secretary
Nashville ‘14
Director of Advancement, Persist Nashville
Shavonde Chase
Nashville ‘23
Multilingual Learner Teacher, Margaret Allen Middle School
Principal,
Nashville Prep
Caroline Hiskey
San Antonio ‘14
Graduate Student Vanderbilt, Peabody College
Brittany Middlebrooks
Miami-Dade ‘08
Partner Success Manager, Zearn
Maggie Siller
Hawai’i ‘07
Shareholder, Maynard Nexsen PC
Thank you to our Teach For America alumni who continue to give their time, energy, and leadership to advancing our shared vision.
Warre
Thank you for making the 2024–2025 school year extraordinary! Your partnership with Teach For America Nashville-Chattanooga has been essential to recruiting, developing, and empowering the corps members and alumni who are driving meaningful, lasting change in public education across our community.
As we move into the year ahead, we are committed to bringing exceptional talent to Nashville-Chattanooga classrooms and strengthening our support for a growing alumni network that is expanding opportunities for every student in our city.
Together, we can achieve more than any of us could alone—and we are deeply grateful for your continued trust, investment, and belief in this mission.
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