Tennessee has great teachers, but we need to do more to support their development
Written by Krissi McInturff, representing Tennessee’s 1st Congressional district on the Tennessee State Board of Education
We know that educators must be well-prepared to lead the next generation toward post-secondary and career success. As an educator, I get the unique opportunity to apply my expertise and experience by serving on the State Board of Education. I am honored to serve as the only current educator and advocate for the over 64,000 public school teachers in Tennessee. I am also qualified to set the record straight: Tennessee has incredible school districts and teachers.
Educating and guiding the next generation of students is undoubtedly one of the highest callings. At the heart of every successful school is its teaching staff. In recent years, teacher shortages have reemerged as a major part of public education discussion. A common misconception continues to spread throughout the state that we have a statewide educator shortage. In reality, shortages are highly localized, with certain parts of the state having higher vacancy rates than others, and more pressing needs in particular subject areas or with specific student populations. As such, we must discuss solutions that increase the likelihood that prospective teachers will be adequately prepared and that we are not creating unnecessary or burdensome requirements that push potentially strong educators away from Tennessee.
Data from the Tennessee Department of Education shows in the 2022-23 school year, 1.5% of Tennessee teaching positions were reported as vacant. Overall, Tennessee school districts should be proud to know they are doing much better at retaining teachers than the average national level at 4 percent. It is important to recognize, however, that the use of emergency credentials has increased and is also disproportionately used by certain regions of the state over others.
We continue to encourage districts to leverage policies and practices focused on strategic compensation, school climate, and strong partnerships with Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs). At the state level, State Board of Education staff, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education, formed an Educator Licensure Review Committee. Committee members range from superintendents and school leaders to EPP directors and legislators. The Committee meets bi-annually to evaluate the educator licensure system and policies to ensure it continues to meet Tennessee’s evolving needs.
Following feedback from the Educator Licensure Review Committee, the State Board is developing rule and policy recommendations to support the eventual removal of the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) for candidates completing a year-long, robust clinical practice. Ensuring all teacher candidates have an opportunity to practice, develop, and refine their skills while supported by a strong school-based mentor in a setting where they are likely to be hired following program completion are goals worthy of our attention. Removing assessment requirements, where appropriate, is also worth consideration.
Attracting and retaining teachers is perhaps the most important thing we can do to supplement our state’s workforce and build economically thriving communities in our state. One way we can help build teacher capacity and fill teacher vacancies across the state is continuing to create easier pathways for current teachers to add additional endorsements. Teachers are the reason future generations of students can prosper in whatever postsecondary journey they decide.
At the State Board of Education, our board members and staff are committed to the continuous improvement of the teacher-to-classroom pipeline while maintaining high standards of the profession. However, the solution does not just end with us. I also applaud the great work being done by school districts and EPPs to prepare and support future and current educators in Tennessee. Our students deserve to enter classrooms and know they are learning from some of the best and brightest educators in the nation.