Matt Cheek
Matt Cheek is the Executive Director of the Nashville Teacher Residency. As Executive Director, Matt is primarily responsible for managing the organization and quality of the residency program, emphasizing strategic planning, vision-setting, organizational management, operations, external partnerships, and fundraising. He approaches the work with creativity and joy, using these passions to bring together a coalition of supporters to NTR.
Matt began his career as a Teach for America Corps Member in Lake City, South Carolina, where he taught middle school social studies. After leaving Lake City, Matt (and his wife, also a TFA Corps Member) transitioned to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he worked as a Gifted and Talented Instructional Coach for Knox County Schools, supporting teachers to meet the diverse needs of gifted students. During this time, Matt advocated for increased access to gifted programming for students of color and other historically underrepresented groups.
Outside of NTR, Matt serves as the Board Chair for the Teach for America Nashville-Chattanooga Alumni Board.
Matt holds a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education from Clemson University and a Masters in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.