For nearly four decades, the Mentoring Tomorrows Rising Professionals (MTRP) program has worked to build a community of well-prepared educators in Kentucky. Launched in 1985 at the University of Louisville, the program has opened doors, cultivated leaders and transformed classrooms across the state.
Supported by a collaborative effort with the UofL College of Education and Human Development, Jefferson County Public Schools and the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, the MTRP has worked to enrich Kentucky education by providing support to a diverse community of educators who are equipped to offer a comprehensive, culturally responsive and inclusive educational experience that benefits every student.
“Forty years ago, UofL and JCPS planted a seed that is still bearing fruit, a vision for educators who reflect and uplift their communities,” said Tabitha Grier-Reed, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “That mission is as urgent today as it was in 1985.”
Planting the Seeds of Purpose
On its 40th anniversary this fall, alumni, students and community leaders gathered at the Speed Art Museum not just to celebrate history, but to recommit to a future where every child learns from teachers who are supported, mentored and prepared to succeed.
“Our mission isn’t finished. We are called to build on the foundation and continue preparing diverse educators who will meet the urgent needs of our schools and communities,” said MTRP Director Whitney Taylor ’25.
The event highlighted the program’s powerful legacy of opening doors. UofL alumna and community leader Alice Houston ’75 recalled her involvement in 1987 at the first High School Teacher/Mentor Future Teachers’ conference.
“For so many students, the dream of becoming a teacher felt out of reach, not because of talent, but because of access and opportunity,” Houston said. “That’s why this work matters: to open doors, close gaps and remind students that their dreams are within reach.”
Kim Curry ’06, ’08, who also completed the program, said Houston was the one who inspired her to pursue teaching.
“It just opened up a whole new world for me,” Curry said. “That day, I saw possibility.”
Mentorship and Community
The MTRP program has thrived because of its network of partners in the Louisville community.
“As an educator and superintendent, I know firsthand how mentorship shapes a career and a calling,” said Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood. “For forty years, MTRP has given aspiring teachers the confidence, guidance, and heart to step into classrooms ready to make a difference. Its impact is seen every day in the lives of students across JCPS and in the educators who continue to rise because someone once believed in them.”
JCPS has been a strong partner to the program from the beginning.
“The future of MTRP remains transformative. For forty years, this program has supported, uplifted, and empowered generations of educators. I’m inspired knowing this vital system of support will continue to shape classrooms and ensure that every student receives what they need to thrive,” said Aimee Green-Webb ’96, ’01, ’07, who served as MTRP Coordinator from 2005–2007 and is the retired JCPS Chief of Human Resources.
During a panel discussion, former administration and alumni reflected on the MTRP’s foundational culture, which shaped their careers and ensured their persistence.
Former Director Bonnie Marshall ’92 characterized the program as having an “open-door culture” designed to continuously encourage students. This environment aligns with the belief of former Director Lohelen Hambrick, who sees teaching as “a calling, not just a job” and MTRP alumna Venita Benboe ’99, who stressed that while passion initiates a teaching career, “it is sustained support and mentorship that keep them there.”
Looking Ahead
The program’s dedication to preparing educators aligns with UofL’s 2026-2030 strategic priorities. MTRP helps the university fulfill its goal to deliver exceptional educational experiences that graduate skilled, purpose-driven citizens prepared to shape the future.
“This program has reminded me of my purpose and given me the confidence to keep going,” said Nadia Pratt, a student currently in the MTRP program. “My goal is to graduate, continue my education with a master’s degree and champion literacy as a classroom teacher. That’s how I plan to carry this legacy forward.”
Together with university, district and community partners, MTRP is building a lasting foundation for educational excellence and impact.
“This milestone is not just about looking back. It is about renewing our promise to our students, to our communities, and to the future educators who will step into classrooms because of MTRP,” Taylor said. “It is a promise to Kentucky’s future educators that they will not walk alone.”
View photos from the event on Flickr.
Amy Asadoorian, College of Education and Human Development, and Audrie Lamb, Office of Communications & Marketing, contributed to this story.