Formed in 2010 with a significant gift from Brad Martin, former CEO and chairman of the board of Saks Incorporated and current trustee at Presbyterian Day School (Tennessee), the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence is dedicated to defining, inspiring, and instructing teaching excellence for students’ futures. The Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence is a unique partnership between Presbyterian Day School and The University of Memphis — a private school and a public university — which have combined resources and expertise to develop a teacher residency program and other teacher learning opportunities.
In August 2012, the Martin Institute welcomed its third cohort of teacher residents who spend a year observing, learning, and teaching in public, private, charter, urban, suburban, and special-needs schools. Teacher residents choose a teacher mentor and spend one day each week in seminar to consider the questions and issues surrounding the topic of the teachers.
Each June, the Martin Institute hosts a conference that brings together about 500 teachers and leaders from a broad range of schools to investigate ways to design and lead student learning that is challenging, relevant, and meaningful. The 2013 Martin Institute Conference was held at Presbyterian Day School on June 12–13. In addition, the Martin Institute is forming and funding active partnerships with individuals who embody teaching excellence, such as John Hunter, creator of the World Peace Game, and others who are working to actively change the dynamics of learning in schools. For more information about the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence visit: www.martininstitute.org.