What is Teach Tennessee?

Q. How does this program differ from other licensure programs?

A. Teach Tennessee recognizes the strengths and talents that people with extensive subject matter knowledge and successful work experience possess. Building upon those qualities, the program offers an expedited way to obtain licensure by designing a customized plan based on the individual’s needs.

Q. If I do not have the 24 hours in the content area I wish to teach, when can I take the Praxis II Test and where can I find information about it?

A. You may find out more about the Praxis exams at www.state.tn.us/education/lic and www.ets.org/praxis/index.

Q. How do I become a Teach Tennessee "Fellow"?

A. Those who are interested must apply to the State Department of Education and based on their successful education and work experience, be selected for the program. Note the choices to the left on this page for further application information.

Q. How do I apply?

A. A packet of Teach Tennessee application materials may be requested after taking the Teach Tennessee Self Test that can be found at the end of these questions.

Q. Will the Department of Education find me a job?

A. Teach Tennessee is a route to licensure, not a job placement program. Individual school districts have the ultimate authority to employ and place their staff; however, the Department of Education will assist you in locating positions available and will notify districts that you are a Teach Tennessee Fellow.

Q. Must I already have a teaching job in order to qualify?

A. No. Those who are selected to participate in the Teach Tennessee program will be able to apply for a job after participating in a two week Teach Tennessee Institute. Job placement is not guaranteed, so applicants may want to contact the school districts where they want to teach to learn of available opportunities in advance.

Q. When is the application deadline for the next selection round?

A. Spring 2008 is the deadline for those applying for the Summer '08 Institute.

Q. When will I be notified that I have been selected?

A. All applicants will be notified by mid-May, 2008.

Q.  How much will the program cost?

A. Because Teach Tennessee is an individualized program, and since each applicant will enter the program with varied education, work experiences and skills, program costs will vary. Participants will be expected to pay for their lodging and personal expenses while attending the Teach Tennessee Institute, the cost of any college credit courses they will be expected to take (no more than 12 hours is projected), the cost of taking the Praxis exams, the background check, and professional development costs necessary to receive a professional license.

Q. Will there be scholarships or assistance in paying for the costs?

A. There are no Teach Tennessee scholarships, but the Department of Education will make participants aware of any funding that may become available to defray expenses.

Q. What will the Teach Tennessee Institute include?

A. The Institute will concentrate on “how” to teach. It will be intense and cover a great amount of information in a short amount of time. The program will include effective teaching strategies, state and federal requirements, planning and instruction and other topics to orient you to the classroom. The training is mandatory for Teach Tennessee participants and no portion of the training may be missed.

Q. What happens after the Institute?

A. Fellows may seek a teaching position. Forty hours of professional development will be required during the first year of teaching. An Individualized Professional Educator Plan (IPEP) will be written for the Felllow following their first year of teaching based upon their performance in the classroom. An additional IPEP may be written following the second year of teaching as well. The IPEP may require college coursework and/or additional professional development.

Q.  What if I am not selected… does that mean I can’t teach in Tennessee?

A. No. There are multiple pathways to obtaining a teaching license in Tennessee. If you are not selected for the Teach Tennessee program, the Department of Education, Office of Teacher Licensing, can assist you in finding the route that is best for you. You may also visit the department’s website at www.state.tn.us/education for more teacher licensing information.

Q.  Once in the classroom, am I on my own?

A. You will be the official teacher of record; however, you will have a mentor assigned to you who will support you throughout the year. The mentor will be a successful educator who will help guide you, work with you on your Individual Professional Education Plan and be a sounding board and excellent resource for you.

Q.  How do I know if teaching is right for me?

A. If you have not been in a classroom in the last couple of years it is strongly suggested to see if teaching is a right ‘fit’ for you by visiting a classroom, volunteering, or talking in-depth with a current teacher and/or principal. Although Teach Tennessee is an expedited program into teaching, it does require a financial and time commitment that you might not want to invest in if you aren’t certain of your choice. Teaching is an extremely rewarding profession in which you can make a real difference if it is the right ‘fit’ for you.

Q. Why are elementary grades, occupational areas and special education not included in the Teach Tennessee program?

A. At this time, Teach Tennessee is limited to grades 7-12. It is a program that focuses on the candidates’ specific content knowledge in the high need areas in subject areas like math, science or foreign language and the expertise the candidate brings through their work experience related to that subject matter knowledge.

Q. Does that mean that only those interested in teaching math, science or foreign language will be selected?

A. No, but Teach Tennessee is seeking highly qualified teachers in high need areas and those areas are three of the most needed. During the selection process, priority will be given to those interested in teaching in those subjects with the highest need. Until the highest need areas are filled, those wanting to teach other areas will be limited to selection based on identified geographic need.

Q. Will my advanced degrees count toward my certification?

A. Your advanced degrees will increase your salary provided they relate to the endorsement area in which you teach and they were received from a regionally accredited college or university. Salaries vary from one school system to another based on each district’s salary schedule.

Q. Where can I find a pay scale for teaching in Tennessee?

A. Teacher pay scales vary by local school systems. You would need to check the web site or contact the HR Department of systems where you are interested in teaching. You are strongly encouraged to investigate the teacher salaries prior to applying to Teach Tennessee.

Q. Am I eligible for Teach Tennessee if I have previously been issued a permit?

A. If you meet the criteria and are selected, Teach Tennessee could be an option for you.

Q. If I have an expired license or an out of state license, may I apply for the Teach Tennessee program?

A. Those holding an expired license or a license from another state would not qualify for the Teach Tennessee program.

Q. If I am currently enrolled in a licensing program and/or if I am teaching on an Alternative or Interim license, may I apply for Teach Tennessee?

A. Those enrolled in another licensure program or holding another type license would not be considered.

Q. Would the Teach Tennessee program allow me to teach in a private school?

A. You would want to check with the private school for a response to this question since they would have the authority to employ and place their staff. The private school would be required to allow the Teach Tennessee mentor to work with the Fellow up to twenty-five days during the school year.

Q. Do I meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the Teach Tennessee program?

A. Please take the Self Test to see by clicking the link below!

Self-Test for potential Teach Tennessee applicants