State education policies are rooted in the day-to-day operations of schools and the students that learn and grow in them daily. This is why Commissioner McQueen tasked each member of the department’s 20-person leadership team to go back to high school for a day and shadow a student. Individual members of the leadership team visited …
High School Students Share Their Biggest Challenges Read More »
During two decades of teaching Career and Technology Education (CTE) courses, I have seen a trend among high school students: Many of them do not have a clearly-defined career path. According to Morristown’s Chamber of Commerce director Marshall Ramsey, “Over one thousand jobs go unfilled in Hamblen County every day.” I can’t imagine how many positions are …
During the summer, while many students were far from their classrooms, 15 students in Maryville were in the middle of their writer’s workshop. The Maryville City Schools district had been fortunate enough to receive a Read to be Ready Summer Grant from the Tennessee Department of Education, which paved the way for a wonderful learning …
The research is clear: Reading proficiently prepares students for lifelong success. Research shows the importance of students reading proficiently by third grade. In this third of four teacher leader action briefs, Implementing Unit Starters to Improve Student Literacy, three second grade teacher leaders in Weakley County share how they are taking action to ensure their …
Teacher Leaders Taking Action in Early Foundations and Literacy Read More »
As teachers, we know that differentiating instruction is challenging—but important—work. Many times, I felt like it was an experiment and that I was flying by the seat of my pants. A questioning strategy or sentence stem that would work for some students wouldn’t necessarily work for others. I was always left with the question, “What …
How the Teaching Literacy in Tennessee: EL Companion supports my instruction Read More »
When Kim stepped onto the campus of Hixson High School, she knew she wanted to find her passions. These passions, she hoped, would propel her to skills that would make her ready for her future career. However, her answer came in a combination of in-school and off-campus work-based learning. Kim’s school is part of Pathways …
Gestamp-ing through Chattanooga: Hamilton County’s Work-Based Learning Experiences Read More »
By Jerre Maynor, Director of Student Readiness Ensuring that students get the academic support they need when they need it is the intent of the state’s Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI2) framework. The RTI2 framework began official implementation for high schools beginning in the 2016–17 school year. As we approach the conclusion of the first year of full …
How Knox County Aligns Enrichment for Postsecondary Readiness Read More »
Schools across our state are focusing on meeting the unique needs of each and every child in their building. We sat down with Theresa Nicholls, Director of Special Education Eligibility at the Tennessee Department of Education, to get the low-down on how Tennessee schools are addressing the needs of their students through Response to Instruction …
Fifty-three feet of science sits in front of the K-8 Celina School. Twenty fifth graders shuffle around inside, zealously conducting experiments on stainless steel countertops under flat screen TVs. Celina, a town smaller than the student body of some Tennessee high schools, is tucked away in the serene Cumberland mountains. That is exactly why the …
STEMmobile: A Catalyst for Learning in Rural Regions Read More »
Congratulations to the newest members of the state’s STEM Leadership Council! Educators and industry leaders from across the state gathered to discuss the direction of STEM learning in Tennessee. The council is made up of educators, industry leaders, and representatives from higher education. The council will advise and engage critical audiences as K-12 STEM programs …
