Tennessee Charter School Incubator Launches Fellowship

TCSI Recruiting Statewide and Nationally To Identify Leaders To Transform Underperforming Schools

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Tennessee Charter School Incubator has announced the creation of the Education Entrepreneurs Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind fellowship program designed to prepare experienced school leaders to launch high-performing charter schools and charter management organizations in Memphis and Nashville.

“Tennessee and particularly Memphis are becoming an epicenter of education reform. Because of our momentum, we’re seeing educators from Tennessee and across the country who are energized and eager to be a part of what’s happening here”

Entry into this highly selective program will be offered to six to eight fellows. Fellowship recipients – recruited from Tennessee and beyond – are provided more than three years of continuous and personalized support, from training to incubation to early launch services. Fellows also receive a competitive salary and benefits package as they prepare to open their schools. Priority will be given to applicants interested in applying to the Achievement School District (ASD) to transform one of Memphis’ 69 ASD-eligible schools into a high-quality, zoned charter school. Unlike other charter schools, ASD-authorized charter schools continue to serve all students zoned to the school previously.

TCSI is launching a targeted national marketing and advertising campaign to support the new fellowship and reach qualified potential candidates from Tennessee and across the country.

“Tennessee and particularly Memphis are becoming an epicenter of education reform. Because of our momentum, we’re seeing educators from Tennessee and across the country who are energized and eager to be a part of what’s happening here,” said Rebecca Lieberman, chief talent strategy officer for the Tennessee Charter School Incubator. “Our goal is to provide the training and support needed for passionate school leaders to tackle the challenge of, not only transforming an underperforming district school, but doing so with the increased autonomy and accountability that comes with leading a charter school. This is the first fellowship of its kind, and we expect it will appeal to talented educators with the entrepreneurial spirit to design and create schools that will impact the lives of children for years to come.”

Decisions will be made throughout the year, with selection days taking place in both fall and spring. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Qualifications for applicants include:

• Experience leading, supervising and developing staff and educators in a school
• Demonstrated track record of advancing student achievement
• A clear vision for the creation of a college-preparatory school or network tailored to the needs of students in Tennessee
• Experience working in high-poverty schools and/or turnaround settings highly desired

More information about the fellowship, including an online application, is available at www.charterexcellence.org.

About the Tennessee Charter School Incubator

As the first statewide charter school incubator in the country, the Tennessee Charter School Incubator was launched with one purpose: to close the education achievement gap in Tennessee by supporting the creation of high-quality charter schools in Memphis and Nashville.

For more information, visit www.charterexcellence.org or follow the Incubator on Twitter @TNCSIncubator.