Tennessee Grow Your Own Center

In Tennessee, teacher apprenticeship degrees are paving accessible pathways into teaching, empowering school districts to cultivate well-prepared educators from within their own communities. We’re proud to have contributed to Bellwether's recent report, which showcases innovative programs that blend on-the-job training with degree attainment at little-to-no cost for aspiring teachers. Together, we’re addressing teacher shortages and broadening access to the teaching profession. #TeacherApprenticeships #GrowYourOwnTN #K12 #HigherEd #ApprenticeshipDegrees https://bit.ly/40t802g

This week, our team had the honor of presenting at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education #RuralEdForum! Educators Debbi Pressnell from Hawkins County, Robin Thompson from Lawrence County and Diana Bowers from Carter County Schools shared inspiring stories about building strong educator talent pipelines in their communities with support from the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center. We're excited to keep expanding our impact in rural communities! National Rural Education Association

Hear from Andrea and Kaylee at Summertown High School in Lawrence County about how they’re helping high school students explore a future in teaching! Through the Teaching As a Profession (TAP) program, they’re creating a strong foundation for students who want to become educators. With a mix of coursework, hands-on experience, and straightforward steps toward certification, this program is making a difference for students, schools and the community. As the district continues to improve and grow the program, it’s building a local pathway to address teacher shortages by preparing talented, dedicated future educators. Learn more about TAP here: https://bit.ly/4dSZL32

Honored to see Erin Crisp, executive director of the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center, represent Tennessee alongside 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman at today’s #RaiseTheBar convening in Washington, D.C.! 🎉 Leaders in teacher residencies, apprenticeships and #GrowYourOwn programs gathered to share insights and celebrate our collective progress. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona stopped by to congratulate the group's work and to urge us all toward courageous leadership that increases educator compensation and continues to raise the profile of this incredible profession. #TeacherConvening

Yesterday, a team of faculty from Daytona State College visited Clarksville Montgomery County School System, along with the GYO Center and Austin Peay State University, to learn more about our initiatives in teacher apprenticeship. We had the opportunity to visit teacher apprentices and mentors in their classrooms and speak with them. They all shared the value and importance of working daily in a classroom with a mentor teacher. They all feel prepared to be teacher of record because of the apprenticeship opportunity through Grow Your Own.

Join the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center and our colleagues who are presenting at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education. We did our practice session recently, and these educators have an incredible story to tell! You won't want to miss it. If you're there, mark your schedule for October 31 from 4–5 p.m. with Debbi Pressnell from Hawkins County, Robin Thompson from Lawrence County, and Dr. Diana Bowers from Carter County. We're excited to share these educators' experiences growing their educator talent pipelines using strategies and support from the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center. Learn more at ww.nrea.net/nfare National Rural Education Association

Kingsport City Schools’ Teaching as a Profession (TAP) work-based learning program, connected to Tennessee’s Grow Your Own Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP), offers high school students hands-on experience, paid opportunities and dual-enrollment options, creating a local pipeline for future educators. The program’s success is shown by its first two graduates returning as instructional assistants to Kingsport City Schools. Learn more about Teaching as a Profession here: https://lnkd.in/eyZzvez3

Kingsport City Schools’ Teaching as a Profession (TAP) work-based learning program, connected to Tennessee’s Grow Your Own Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP), offers high school students hands-on experience, paid opportunities and dual-enrollment options, creating a local pipeline for future educators. The program’s success is shown by its first two graduates returning as instructional assistants to Kingsport City Schools. Learn more about Teaching as a Profession here: https://lnkd.in/eyZzvez3

"New things come about in life, and we don’t give up" - Olivia, GYO teacher apprentice Discover how the Grow Your Own teacher apprentices from Knox County Schools have benefited from the program in their journey to learn, develop, and succeed.

Fall is here, and we're back in the groove of school and work! Hear from Knox County Schools' Grow Your Own teacher apprentices about how the program has helped them learn, grow and thrive.