In the News

Nashville Alliance for Public Education completes teacher training center

NASHVILLE - The Nashville Alliance for Public Education formally handed over the keys to the Martin Professional Development Center to Metro Nashville Public Schools at a dedication ceremony today, with Mayor Karl Dean, Metro Nashville Public Schools Interim Director Chris Henson, donors, and other notables in attendance.

The center, a state-of-the-art teacher training facility, was funded through a public/private partnership of the Nashville Alliance and Metro Nashville Public Schools.

"Years of thought and planning have gone into the development of the Martin professional Development Center, and we're excited to see the project completed," said Pam Garrett, executive director of the Nashville Alliance. "It started with the need for a better training center and, through the generous support of the community, has grown into a fully equipped facility for Metro teachers to use for years to come."

The former Eakin Elementary School, located at 2400 Fairfax Ave., has been renovated into the teacher training center. The facility features the Turner Auditorium, four technology labs, 10 classrooms, and a cafe. The auditorium, which can be converted into four 1,800-square-foot presentation rooms, can accommodate 500 guests for lectures or 350 in banquet-style seating and is equipped with wireless Internet capabilities and four flat-screen presentation panels. The facility allows teachers to receive all of their training in one place, increasing training effectiveness. Its central location will make training more convenient and is expected to increase participation.

"Teachers are the most important people in our education system," Mayor Dean said. "I applaud the Nashville Alliance for bringing together the resources of so many community organizations and individuals to make the Martin Center available for the many dedicated teachers we have working in the Metro schools."

The training center is the Nashville Alliance's largest endeavor since its creation in 2003. Key donors for the project include the Martin foundation, The Cal Turner Family Foundation, The Orrin H. Ingram Advised Fund, The Mike Curb Family Foundation, Bridgestone Americas Holdings, Inc., Annette S. Eskind, Robert S. Lipman, SunTrust, Purity Dairies, LLC, Wachovia Foundation, Metro Nashville Public Schools and the citizens of Davidson County.

"My own educational experience inspired my interest to help provide a state-of-the-art facility for our teachers," said Charlie Martin of The Martin Foundation. "Great schools help create a great city, and it all begins with high-quality teachers and providing the best professional development opportunities available."

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