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Teach Tennessee

Teach Tennessee - What you know can make a difference

Make your dreams of a teaching career come true with Teach Tennessee.

If you've ever thought of becoming a teacher, but did not think you had the education or experience to make it happen, Teach Tennessee’s alternative licensure program could be the fastest way to transition to the classroom.

With our program you can turn your college degree and professional work experience into a rewarding teaching career in the high-need subject areas of math, science or foreign language.

Introduction

Turn work experience and a college degree into a teaching career - Learn about the Governor's Fellows

Recent Graduate? - Learn about the Commissioner's Fellows

Teach Tennessee began with the goal of creating a statewide program that challenged mid-career professionals and others to pursue teaching jobs. It is designed to get teachers in the classroom in hard-to-fill areas of math, science and foreign language for grades 7-12. The Tennessee Department of Education seeks individuals who are dedicated, motivated and have a desire to help the children of this state.

Since the program began in 2005, over 300 fellows have received their Tennessee teacher’s license and we maintain an 83% retention rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements

Not everyone is meant to have a teaching career, which is why our program is highly selective in looking for those with the passion to share their in-depth knowledge in a subject area related to math, science or foreign language.  For successful applicants with those skill sets we will teach you how to teach.

There are two paths to achieving your Tennessee teaching license through the Teach Tennessee program.

  1. Governor's Fellows: A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and five years of work experience directly related to the subject to be taught.  Applicants must be highly qualified by having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject they wish to teach or a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam.
  2. Commissioner's Fellows: A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.  Applicants must be highly qualified by having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject they wish to teach or a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam.

Applicant Timeline

The deadline for accepting applications for the 2012 Institutes has passed. Please check back in the fall for information on the next application deadline.

Special Note:  All requirements and components of the portfolio (including letters of recommendation and work verification) must be postmarked by the deadline.  Faxes will not be accepted.   It is the candidates’ responsibility to assure the portfolio is complete. 

If you do not have the 24 hours in the content area you are wishing to teach and are interested in taking the Praxis II to meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the next round of Teach Tennessee selections, you will need to register for the exam using the following schedule.  More information about the Praxis can be found at www.ets.org

Success Stories

If you're really committed to this new career, there's no better program. It's the fastest way to the hardest job you'll ever love. Stein Lee, Polymer engineer, Math teacher I was working, making good money, but now I'm truly happy. This changed my life.