Tennessee’s Teacher Licensing Director Tapped as National Leader

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education is pleased to announce Vance Rugaard, Executive Director of the Office of Teacher Licensing, has been named President of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. The organization represents professional standards boards and commissions and state departments of educations across the nation responsible for the preparation, licensure and discipline of educational personnel.

“I’m very excited to take Tennessee and NASDTEC to the national stage as a valued player in the development of national policies and strategies to improve the teaching profession,” Rugaard said. “I’m honored to hold this title and I’m dedicated to licensing safe and well-prepared educators for our schools.”

NASDTEC is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards for educators across the nation and providing a national clearinghouse of educator disciplinary action to assure teachers disciplined in one state do not repeat their offense in other states. This organization also maintains a “KnowledgeBase” with links to licensure standards for all member states, a valuable service to expedite the process of license applications in a timely manner.

“We are lucky to have an educator of Vance’s caliber on our staff,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “The type of experience he brings to the table is invaluable.”

Rugaard earned a BS in Biology from Western Illinois University in 1968 and an MS in Science Education from Illinois State University. He served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal for nearly 30 years in Pekin, Illinois. After moving to Nashville, he was named Executive Director of Teacher Licensing in March 2002. The office manages the certification of the state’s 67,000 employed educators, as well as many others not currently teaching.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us. 
###