The goal of the Rutherford County Schools Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA) is to develop globally competent Teacher-Leaders who inspire their students and colleagues by reaching into the community to bridge relationships between students and community, helping students develop their understanding of how they are important and affecting in the greater world, and assisting their schools to become more cognizant of what the local and global community can offer to build a more sound public institution for student/workforce preparation. The TLA has become a tool to assist Rutherford County Schools in recruiting and retaining quality educators to augment the community’s mission to connect with students in efforts to generate interest in living, working and contributing in Rutherford County after graduating from high school and/or college.