The Commissioner’s Teach Today. Change Tomorrow Tour is elevating the statewide conversation around encouraging our best and brightest students to become teachers and be fulfilled in a career that allows them to have a positive impact in their communities and shape the next generation of leaders.

There are more than 65,000 teachers in Tennessee’s public schools, and—at the current rate—half of these teachers will leave or retire in the next decade, so it is critical that the state continue to build a strong, diverse educator pipeline. This means addressing shortages in certain subject areas and improving new teacher quality. One way to do this is to connect effective, passionate teachers with the next generation of potential educators.

To encourage high-achieving students to pursue a career in education, Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen is meeting with high school students throughout the state to engage them in conversations about the teaching profession. The Commissioner is hosting several events, which include:

• The Commissioner and teacher leaders share their experiences as educators with students

• Students have the opportunity to share their postsecondary plans and career aspirations and ask questions

• Educator preparation providers (EPPs) bring information about their programs and are on hand to answer students’ questions

• Students learn about resources that can support them as they consider their postsecondary options and a career in teaching.

This effort builds on the work of the department, which focuses on building relationships among EPPs and school districts, sharing EPP outcomes in a public report card, and diversifying the educator workforce. You can learn more about this work, and other facts about Tennessee EPPs here.

Do you want to learn more about how to start your journey to a teaching career in Tennessee? Head back to our home page to get started!