Tennessee Educators
Tennessee will set a new path for the education profession and be the top state in which to become and remain a teacher and leader for all by providing opportunities to become a teacher for free and build a pathway into the profession. The department is investing more than $20 million to address shortages of credentialed teachers and professional development for our educators to ensure all students can get the supports they need.
The state’s Grow Your Own initiative creates pathways to become a teacher for free— enabling future teachers to earn their degree, serve their home communities, maintain employment, and begin day one of teaching with real-world classroom experience.
Additionally, the department provides supports to educators related to educator licensure and preparation, professional development and additional endorsement opportunities to ensure all Tennessee educators are provided with resources to succeed in the classroom.
Resources for Educators
Latest News for Educators
Tennessee Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Month in May
Nashville, TN—Throughout the month of May, the Tennessee Department of Education invites all Tennesseans to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Month, Week, Day, proclaimed by Governor Bill Lee. Additionally, the department launched the ‘Year of Tennessee Teachers’ campaign, highlighting teachers for shaping the minds of the over one million K-12 students across the state to ensure they have access to a high-quality education and are successful in the classroom, workforce, and life.
Read full storyTDOE & TERA Launch 2024 Tennessee Educator Survey
Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) at Vanderbilt University launched the 2024 Tennessee Educator Survey. All educators, administrators, and certified school staff in Tennessee are invited and encouraged to take the survey and share their perspectives and expertise on education issues affecting their classrooms and schools, and help inform strategies and goals at the state, district, and local school levels.
Read full storyEast Tennessee Teacher Receives National Recognition as a Milken Educator
Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced East Tennessee Assistant Principal Abbey Kidwell of Clinton Elementary School in Clinton City Schools has been named a recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award, one of the highest honors in education that has been dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine.
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