Founded in 2015, the Nashville Teacher Residency is an independent, state-approved Educator Preparation Provider (EPP). As a non-university-based program, we are able to independently license our Candidates through the state of Tennessee. 

NTR was originally part of Project Renaissance, a larger nonprofit initiative to advance education reform in Nashville. When the organization dissolved in 2017, NTR became its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the leadership of Randall Lahann and Holly Tilden.

 

As Executive Director, Randall moved quickly to stabilize and sustain the new organization, both financially and programmatically. He secured early funding from the Joe C. Davis Foundation and the Scarlett Family Foundation, and successfully partnered with the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), which awarded NTR a $500,000 SEED grant.

In its early years, NTR partnered exclusively with Nashville charter schools. In 2018, it expanded to include the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS). That partnership later evolved into the Clarksville Teaching Fellows, the nation’s first federally registered teacher apprenticeship. In 2019, NTR formalized its partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), broadening its reach into traditional public schools.

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That same year, NTR launched an internal audit, led by Lindsey Hamilton. Through this audit and uplifting the stories and experiences of our Residents, we uncovered significant organizational structures and systems that needed to be revised. This work was transformative for our efforts to create a human-centered residency experience and a framework that continues to guide our work today.

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In late 2020, Randall Lahann announced his departure, and a leadership transition began. With the support of staff, Holly Tilden was named Executive Director. She formed a leadership team that included Matt Cheek (Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships) and Lindsey Hamilton (Director of Equity and Programming). Holly helped stabilize the organization financially, and in fall 2021, NTR received a transformational $1.5 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

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In the summer of 2022, a national search for the next Executive Director of NTR began, and in the fall of that same year, Matt Cheek was named Executive Director.

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In the years since, NTR has built new funding partnerships with local corporations and expanded its program offerings. These now include a job-embedded pathway and licensure in Special Education (in partnership with the Diverse Learners Cooperative). As of 2025, NTR partners with more than 20 schools and offers licensure in 6–12 Math, Science, English Language Arts, and Special Education. The NTR team expanded to 11 members in the summer of 2025.

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We’re not a perfect organization, and our story is still unfolding, but there are two things we know for sure: 1) We’re committed to getting it right (in the words of De’Marco Fomby), and 2) Our best is still ahead. As we grow, we’re deepening our understanding of the communities we serve, the Candidates we support, and the values that guide our work. In partnership with schools and districts across Middle Tennessee, we’re working to ensure every student has access to a well-prepared, fully licensed, and well-cared-for teacher.