Teach For America Nashville-Chattanooga

Who We Are

Since 2019, Teach For America Nashville-Chattanooga has partnered with the district, schools, and community organizations to ensure that every child in Hamilton County—no matter their zip code—has access to an excellent education. We recruit, develop, and support a diverse network of leaders committed to expanding opportunity for students across Chattanooga. Our corps members teach in high-need public schools throughout Hamilton County, bringing energy, innovation, and a deep belief in the potential of all students. Beyond their two-year commitment, our alumni continue to lead across education, policy, business, and community sectors, advancing opportunity from every seat of influence. To date, TFA has recruited more than 100 educators and 400 literacy tutors to serve students throughout the Midtown and Missionary Ridge learning communities.  

The Problem

In Tennessee, too many children still face barriers to reaching their full potential. While Hamilton County Schools has made important gains, opportunity remains deeply tied to race and income. Persistent gaps in access to excellent teachers, rigorous coursework, and postsecondary pathways limit what’s possible for many students. The impacts of the pandemic have only deepened these disparities. At the same time, districts across the state are navigating an urgent teacher shortage—particularly in high-need subject areas and schools serving low-income communities. To deliver on the promise of an excellent education for all, we must continue to recruit and retain strong, diverse educators and leaders who are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. 

Our Approach

We take a three-pronged approach to advancing educational opportunity. First, we identify and train promising leaders through our Ignite Tutoring Fellowship, teaching corps, and Aspiring School Leader Fellowship, ensuring students receive high-impact instruction and mentorship. Second, we invest in ongoing leadership development to help our network drive meaningful outcomes for students and systems alike. Third, we connect our local community of more than 1,100 alumni and corps members in Middle and East Tennessee to a national network of over 70,000 leaders who continue to champion educational excellence from classrooms to boardrooms. 

2030 Goal

Motivated by the growing community need, TFA Nashville-Chattanooga set an ambitious, community-wide goal: By 2030, twice as many children in communities where we work will reach key educational milestones indicating they are on a path to economic mobility and co-creating a future filled with possibility. Specifically, we seek to double student proficiency in 3rd grade Reading and 8th grade Math. In Chattanooga, 72% of our corps members teach a STEM subject, and we support over 160 literacy tutors across 6 Midtown elementary schools in 2nd through 4th grade.