Fact Sheet | Programs | Supporters
Memphis is a city at the epicenter of national educational reform, with a comprehensive strategy to transform public education that involves national and local partners. New Leaders is joined in this effort by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Race to the Top, Teach for America, the New Teacher Project, Building Excellent Schools and Stand for Children. Momentum has built in Memphis, and while New Leaders here face challenges, they also receive unprecedented support as they work together to transform public education. Memphis is truly a place to make a mark as an educator and leader.
New Leaders began partnering with Memphis City Schools in 2004 to provide exceptional leaders for the city’s schools. Today more than 36,000 students benefit from a New Leader’s leadership, representing approximately 20 percent of the schools in the district. These leaders are working together as a community to get results for students in Memphis.
The challenges facing our leaders are numerous, as are the challenges that face our students:
- 42 percent live in poverty — the third highest rate in the United States
- 83 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch
- Only 6 percent of students who take the ACT in Memphis are ready for college
- Metropolitan Memphis ranks by far as the most impoverished large metro area in the nation
Despite these obstacles, Memphis New Leaders continue to help close the achievement gap by inspiring both teachers and students. For example, at the end of his first year as principal of Manassas High School, James Griffin led his school to see a 25 point increase in student graduation rates. Success stories like that document the transformative power of a highly trained leader.
Read more about James Griffin >>
Read more about results in Memphis >>
Learn more about Memphis City Schools >>
Memphis New Leaders
Memphis New Leaders are an active, engaged community supported by a dedicated Memphis team. Ongoing professional development provides opportunities for collaboration and camaraderie as do New Leader social events that occur throughout the year and foster a strong sense of community.
We are also proud of these award-winning New Leaders:
- Yetta Lewis (Cohort 7), Executive Director of Power Center Academy and her leadership team that includes New Leaders Kimberly Clark (Cohort 7), Middle School Principal; Julia Callaway (Cohort 7), High School Dean of Students; and Michael Gee (Cohort 10), Middle School Dean of Students received the state’s first annual SCORE Award for highest gaining Middle School in Tennessee.
- Tisha Stewart-White (Cohort 4), Principal of Shannon Elementary School, was recognized as an NBC National Education Champion.
- Davis Falvey, teacher at Snowden School, was recognized as the Tennessee Department of Education’s West Tennessee Teacher of the Year in 2011 (working under New Leader Principal Randy Thompson (Cohort 4).
Tamika Carwell (Cohort 4) won an EPIC award for her student achievement gains. See her in action – ramping up the use of data by staff and students at her school on the EPIC Knowledge System.
For more information about becoming a New Leader in Memphis, contact Nick Patterson, Director, Recruitment, Admissions and Operations at 901-881-7066 or npatterson@newleaders.org.
Living in Memphis
Memphis has a distinct character that doesn’t exist in the same way in any other city. Located on the Mississippi River, Memphis is the biggest city in the Mid-South, and it has a cost of living nearly 13 percent below the national metro average. With a vibrant cultural community, Memphis is a great place to live and an affordable place to raise a family.
