Tennessee Education and Teaching Overview

Teaching in Tennessee can be a very enjoyable way of making a living. Class sizes are a little bit higher in parts of this state over those seen in other parts of the country, but nothing is out-of-line or being assigned in unmanageable numbers. Middle schools and high schools in Tennessee generally run about 25 students per classroom.


Tennessee Teacher Requirements

The administration for those teaching in Tennessee are supportive toward coupling new classroom teachers with help-systems and mentor plans that can make their first years in teaching more comfortable. Professional development hours are required from all classroom teachers so that constant exposure to new technology and techniques can be shared in area schools.

Tennessee has a lower formal graduation rate over what some other areas of the country are producing at only about 71%. However, what this figure does not say is that many high school students in Tennessee take advantage of the GED graduation alternative program to opt out of school and into employment opportunities or college in faster times than the traditional four-year high school schedule will allow.

Recently, Tennessee and all other states are being treated to an increase in funding for the purpose of bringing educational levels up through the ‘No Child Left Behind’ laws. With better funding an option, many of the programs for both teachers and students will be improved over the next few years because of the new program mandates related to the ‘No Child Left Behind’ act. Now is a very good time to be teaching in Tennessee.

Tennessee Teacher Requirements

Tennessee offers many diverse options in neighborhood schools that will all still need their teachers in the future. Choosing the career of teaching in Tennessee can give the career holder a guaranteed income source that will hold steady through all dips and rises in the economy. Tennessee has current areas with teacher shortages that may continue into the future with needs in special education, mathematics, science, and physics as well as some local school grade-level teachers.

The state and federal government offers incentives to those teaching in Tennessee to guarantee that pay and benefits packages are adequate to survive on. In the future, those teaching in Tennessee may see pay hikes come about as the president continues to promote the idea that American public school education needs an overhaul in order to produce a finished education that can compete globally academically and for employment.

Many suspect that future classroom calendars will include more days each year to allow for teachers to fully educate the youth in ways that will help them to compete in our new world full of high technological advancements. Other speculations for the teaching industry in Tennessee include a push to place higher degrees into classroom teaching positions, and some elevated pay perks for extra achievements in classroom duties. It is an exciting time to be considering a career as a Tennessee teacher.

Online Colleges Offering Education and Teaching Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Programs Offered  
  • Master of Arts in Teaching
  • Master of Arts in Teaching with Teaching Credential
Accreditation  

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of The North Central Association,www.ncahlc.org; 312-263-0456.

Accreditation  

The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU’s "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU is the first online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU’s Health Informatics program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). WGU’s Nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

Campus Colleges Offering Education and Teaching Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Programs Offered  
  • Master of Arts in Teaching
  • Master of Arts in Teaching with Teaching Credential
Accreditation  

Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

McCann School of Business & Technology is accredited to award occupational associate degrees and certification diplomas by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education,.

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Teaching Salaries
Elementary School Teacher
$40,584
High School Teaching
$42,802
Education Admin for Elementary School
$65,372
School Principal
$82,696
 Source: PayScale.com
 * Based on 5 years experience