Serving as an education commissioner is an honor of a lifetime. But, serving for the state of Tennessee under Governor Bill Haslam has been remarkable. Simply put, this is because Tennessee is the best state in the country and Bill Haslam has been the best governor in the country – and he’s been so in …
Reflections and Thank You to Tennessee Educators Read More »
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 »
Read to be Ready, a series of statewide initiatives, has focused attention on the need to improve literacy instruction in the early years. Teachers play a critical part of leading this work as they focus on building students’ foundational skills while also improving students’ vocabulary and comprehension within the context of meaningful and interesting texts …
Educators have spoken: What we teach and how we teach go hand-in-hand Read More »
The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding educators in Tennessee. We applaud teachers who care about children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Tennessee children, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. Below, you can get to know the 2017-18 Region-level Teacher of the Year Finalists for grade …
Meet the Region-level finalists for the 2017-18 teacher of the year! Read More »
Students often have the best ideas about what they need individually to be successful in life after high school. So this year, I’m spending more time listening to them. During my first year in office, I met with more than 10,000 educators across the state as part of my Classroom Chronicles tour. (You can read …
Listening and Learning from Students on the Classroom Chronicles Tour Read More »
The Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Coordinated School Health is in the process of revising the current Health and Wellness Standards. Currently we are in search of teachers across Tennessee to participate in revising the health and wellness standards. Teachers will be selected to work with a group of health and wellness stakeholders from …
As teachers we are inundated with statistics. One such statistic that I remember hearing over and over while going through my degree program was that 40-50 percent of teachers leave the profession within the first five years. This statistic is scary, troubling, and just plain sad. This school year I began my sixth year teaching …
Get schooled in mechatronics, and see why students across the state are graduating from high school with competitive career options. Check out this informative video on Warren County High School’s mechatronics program or read more in this Classroom Chronicle’s story about Oakland High School’s partnership with Bridgestone and Motlow State Community College. WCHS Mechatronics Promo …
Perhaps more than ever, educators are keenly aware of the importance of preparing students for life after high school. Whatever students are planning a career in, career and technical education (CTE) programs are one way that students can leave high school prepared for college or training—or head right into the workforce. What local workforces need? …
10 Ways to Prepare Kids for Life After High School 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 …
