Student Success Starts With Great Teachers
100% of participating principals agree: Project Inspire residents make schools better. From the very first day, residents are trained to build meaningful relationships with students—creating classrooms where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success.
This deep investment in connection fuels academic growth and improves school culture, laying the groundwork for lasting student achievement.
Student success is always worth investing in; teacher preparation programs like Project Inspire are a vital part of that. With a commitment to serving some of Hamilton County's hardest-to-staff schools, Project Inspire has helped transform the culture in those buildings and improve student outcomes.
Chandler Brooks-Davis
Social Sciences Teacher at The Howard School
Hamilton County Schools 2023 Teacher of the Year
Project Inspire Cohort 9
What Sets Us Apart
About Project Inspire
Project Inspire recruits highly qualified individuals who embody the core qualities of an effective teacher—most importantly, an unwavering belief in the potential of all students.
That belief is put into action through a year-long, paid residency in a Hamilton County school, where residents co-teach with an experienced mentor teacher, earn a teaching license and Master’s degree, and receive intensive coaching and support. This rigorous model ensures that by the time residents lead classrooms of their own, they are ready to teach with skill, confidence, and heart.
6
Honored as Teachers of the Year for three consecutive years—including 5 district-wide winners and one statewide recipient.
100+
Alumni and Current Residents are Currently Teaching in a Hamilton County School.
82%
Graduates who remained in a high-needs school for 4 years or more.
100%
Principals agree that Project Inspire residents improve student achievement and school culture.
FAQ
AmeriCorps is a federally funded national service program that supports thousands of local organizations through stipends, education awards, and grants. In teacher residency programs like Project Inspire, AmeriCorps helped offset the cost of living for residents through small stipends and education benefits while they served in local classrooms.
In Spring 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made an abrupt, nationwide decision to end AmeriCorps funding for over 1,000 programs across the country—including Project Inspire. This sudden shift impacted a wide range of education, public health, and community-based initiatives that had long relied on AmeriCorps support to serve their communities.
For over a decade, AmeriCorps funding played a critical role in making Project Inspire accessible to aspiring teachers by providing a modest living allowance and financial support during their residency year. The termination of this funding was not based on program performance or outcomes; in fact, Project Inspire consistently met or exceeded grant expectations and maintained strong evaluations. Unfortunately, the decision was part of a broad federal reallocation of funds and priorities, leaving many high-impact programs scrambling to fill critical budget gaps.
AmeriCorps funding provided a modest living allowance for Project Inspire Teacher Residents during the residency year. It also provided funds for necessary background checks.
Any funds raised during this campaign will directly support Project Inspire residents in the form of a living allowance to pay for rent, groceries, and other basic living expenses.
No. Project Inspire is continuing without interruption. While the loss of AmeriCorps funding is significant, it has never been our sole source of support. Thanks to longstanding relationships with local funders—and the generosity of individuals stepping up in this moment—we’re filling the gap and keeping the program strong. Community donations will directly support the next cohort of teacher residents, helping ensure we continue to place outstanding teachers in Hamilton County classrooms.
Project Inspire is supported by a coalition of dedicated partners committed to strengthening public education in Hamilton County.
Yes. All existing commitments are being honored. Current residents will continue to receive financial support, tuition coverage, personalized coaching, and wraparound services that help them thrive in the classroom.
We remain committed to recruiting and supporting future teachers. We are working with partners to ensure that future cohorts can experience the same level of preparation, mentorship, and financial support. More updates will follow as those plans are finalized.
This moment is critical. With the loss of federal support, local investment will determine how many aspiring teachers we can prepare. Your donation helps ensure that students in Hamilton County continue to have access to strong, committed educators.
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