Governor Phil Bredesen is leading an initiative called Teach Tennessee. The goal is to create a statewide program that challenges mid-career professionals, retirees and others to teach. It is designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree, 24 semester college hours in some field and would like to teach in that same content area for grades 7-12. The Department of Education is seeking those who demonstrate high achievement in their careers and possess the character and motivation needed to be a quality teacher.

Priority is given to those wishing to teach in Tennessee's highest need areas- math, science and foreign languages.

Selected candidates are required to attend an intensive Teach Tennessee Institute to learn teaching methods to be eligible to teach, accompanied by an intensive mentoring program once they enter the classroom. These potential educators are most needed in the hardest-to-staff districts and in high-need subject areas, such as math, science and foreign languages.

**SPECIAL NOTE:

To meet the minimum eligibility requirements for Teach Tennessee, content knowledge is measured by one of two ways:

1) by having 24 semester college credit hours or 36 quarter hours in the content area you are wishing to teach with a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA.

2) by passing the Praxis II (content) exam in the area you wish to teach.

If you do not have the 24 hours in the content area you are wishing to teach (with a 3.0 GPA) 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/.

Teach Tennessee Applicant Timeline

Spring 2009 will be the next selection round. Dates will be forthcoming and posted to website soon.

** Special Note:  All requirements and components of the portfolio (including letters of recommendation and work verification) must be postmarked by the March 3, 2008 deadline.  Faxes will not be accepted.   It is the candidates’ responsibility to assure the portfolio is complete.  Incomplete portfolios will not be considered.  If you wish to check on the contents received, you may contact Barbara Floyd by emailing barbara.floyd@state.tn.us.