The Martin Professional Development Center

Knowing that staff development for teachers, principals and employees is one of the most important things a district can do to enhance the quality of education for its students, the Nashville Alliance began an effort to help Metro Schools address the critical need for a new teacher training center. In the final period of the 2006 academic year, the Nashville Alliance received commitments from key donors to address the need for a new teacher training facility.

With a lead gift from the Martin Foundation and generous donations totaling more than $3M, the Nashville Alliance will provide the funds to transform Eakin School into a much needed professional development center.  Once completed in 2007, the Martin Professional Development Center will be the center of intellectual life for teachers and a statement to the community about the importance of education.  It will provide educational opportunities now and well into the future, and more importantly, it will touch each and every student in the Metro Nashville Public School system.

The majority of the cost of renovating Eakin School into a Professional Development Center will be funded by private donations.  To make this project a success, we need the help of private citizens, corporations and foundations.  We ask those who care about  public education to help shape the future of our schools by investing in this project.  Contributions to the Professional Development Center will be an expression of confidence in the goals of the schools and our shared vision to make the Metro Nashville School system one of the best school districts in the nation.

Naming opportunities are available for classrooms and teacher workrooms.