As members of a new expansion site, Nashville corps members will have the opportunity to influence and lead the region’s movement toward educational equality. There will be numerous opportunities for new Nashville corps members to assume leadership positions within the corps in the region's first year. Recent charter corps members have valued the unique experience of leading Teach For America's movement in a new area of the country. Like the charter corps members who preceded them, Nashville corps members will help shape and set the vision for Teach For America’s role within a new community and school system. Additionally, Nashville corps members will join a deeply committed community of reformers looking to Teach For America to play a vital role in education reform in the city.
| Quick Stats |
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| Site Opening : Fall 2009 |
| Corps Size: 50 (projected) |
| Average yearly temperature: 60.0° |
| Car: Access to car is essential |
Salary: See cost of living  |
Nashville is home to 24 post-secondary institutions, making education a priority for residents and city leaders. Despite the regional focus on education, the Metropolitan Nashville Public School District struggles with an achievement gap across socio-economic lines. Now, civic leaders are calling on Teach For America to join the local effort to eliminate educational inequity in the region. In fact, Mayor Karl Dean notes that the city will “focus, number one, on schools” during his time as mayor of Nashville. True to this statement, he has remained committed to improving the public school system and working with local leaders to make necessary changes, such as bringing a Teach For America corps.
Life
Nashville is a young, electric city. Home of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the annual CMA Music Festival, it isn’t surprising that Nashville is known primarily as the country music capital. The young professional community gives the city an exciting, fresh atmosphere. You can always find live music in any genre every night of the week. If you are into sports, Nashville has NFL football with the Tennessee Titans, NHL hockey with the Nashville Predators, and a AAA baseball team, the Nashville Sounds. You can also find college sports at Vanderbilt University.
Nashville is a very affordable city, and corps members should have no trouble affording an exciting and comfortable lifestyle with their teaching salary. The average rent for single apartments is approximately $700 while two-bedroom apartments will rent for approximately $800-850. Metropolitan Nashville is divided into over a dozen communities, each with its own unique character, style, and neighborhoods. Because the Metropolitan Nashville Public School district covers the large metropolitan area, corps members will most likely want to live near their school site and may need a car in order to get to and from school and enjoy the broad range of activities in the city.
The best deals on apartments are found in the downtown and university areas. Downtown is a cool and convenient place to live and work, with plenty of loft apartments, condos, and high-rise apartments for rent. You'll find more luxurious apartments in the high-demand neighborhoods of Brentwood, Franklin, Green Hills, Vanderbilt, and Music Row. Most young professionals in Nashville live in the Green Hills area, West End area, or in and around Hillsboro Village and Belmont University.
Convenience is a one of the many highlights of Nashville. As one downtown resident put it, "You can step out your back door and walk to everything because you are in the heart of the city." In one minute, you can be in downtown eating or shopping and ten minutes later be at a farm outside of Nashville riding horses. Historic downtown Franklin is 15 minutes south of Nashville with unique shops and restaurants, perfect for a casual Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Areas like Green Hills, West End, and Hillsboro Village have boutique shops, diverse restaurants, quaint coffee shops, and a distinctive nightlife. A new up and coming area is East Nashville: houses are being redone, new restaurants and bars are opening. All of these areas would be a 10 – 15 minute drive from the schools you will be teaching in and great places to unwind after a day in the classroom.
Corps Culture
Being a part of the charter corps offers the exciting experience of shaping the foundation of Teach For America in a community. Not only are you a part of defining Teach For America but you are also a member of intimate corps of like-minded individuals. Charter corps foster a culture like no others - a bonding that drives forth a cause and sets the pace for those who follow.
- Ari Kerr (Memphis Corps ‘06)
Corps members will be welcomed by a committed community of educational and civic leaders in Nashville who are dedicated to education and social reform in the city. Once in Nashville, corps members can expect to participate in all-corps gatherings, exchange best teaching practices with other corps members of the same grade level or content area, and attend cultural and social gatherings with colleagues and friends. Being a part of a charter corps offers unique opportunities to shape the foundation of Teach For America. As stated by Mike Whatley (Memphis Corps ’06), you have the chance to “set the standard for those who will come after you. You are the founding team. You communicate the mission. You lay the foundation.”
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