Teacher and Principal Residency Grant Invests in Talent

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education has announced that three school systems will receive funding as part of the Teacher and Principal Residency Competitive Grant.  As part of the First to the Top initiative, systems will work to increase and retain the number of well prepared and effective teachers and principals to address local school-based needs and encourage student achievement.

 

“Teachers and principals are key to the goals and mission of education reform across the state,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “These funds are an investment in our teachers, administrators, and innovative and effective strategies to improve achievement and the future of our students.”

 

Interested school systems applied for program focused grants geared towards pre-service preparation, advanced training and professional development, and/or supporting exemplary leaders. The following schools systems have been awarded funding to develop or expand residency programs in their districts:

 

Program	Awarded School Systems
Type I: Pre-service Preparation Immerse aspiring teachers or principals in the school environment and provide extensive mentoring support by trained mentors.	Hamilton County Schools   Memphis City Schools
Type III: Exemplary Leadership Utilize the extensive professional knowledge and skills of veteran teachers to serve as researchers, trainers, and/or experts in the field.	Metro Nashville Public Schools   Memphis City Schools

 

“Residencies provide the supported, hands-on experience that develops the quality leaders needed in schools,” said Education Commissioner Bruce Opie. “The skills and knowledge acquired through such teaching and learning interactions are invaluable.”

 

School systems will receive a total of approximately two million dollars for each awarded grant over the course of four years. Projects include allowing for additional teacher residents, effective educator and administrator recruitment and training, instructional mentoring, and professional and leadership development initiatives in partnership with state universities.

 

For more information, contact Amanda Maynord Anderson at (615) 532-7817 or Amanda.Anderson@tn.gov.

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