Teacher Licensure. In July 2014, the State Board of
Education approved a new teacher licensure policy
for Tennessee. This new policy went into effect on
September 1, 2015, and streamlines educator licensure
by replacing apprentice, transitional, out-of-state,
and interim licenses with a single license type, the
practitioner license. The practitioner license is valid
for three years and may be renewed once. After
Network to develop teacher leader models for use
gaining three years of experience, educators with
in diverse districts throughout the state. During the
a practitioner license may apply for a professional
2014-15 school year, eight districts served on the
license. The new policy also allows teachers to
Tennessee Teacher Leader Network: Cleveland City
use their evaluation scores to earn Professional
Schools, Collierville Schools, Gestalt Community
Development Points toward the advancement or
Schools, Henderson County Schools, Lauderdale
renewal of their license.29
County Schools, Lincoln County Schools, Paris Special
School District, and Sumner County Schools.30 These
Teacher Leadership. Empowering teachers to
districts formed the second group of schools to work
become leaders in their schools, districts, and
with the Tennessee Department of Education to
communities is a key lever for improving student
develop teacher leader models for their districts.
achievement. By formalizing specific teacher
leadership roles, districts and school administrators
Guided by research on best practices and the
can improve the collective effectiveness of their
Tennessee Teacher Leader Standards, these eight
teaching staffs and promote a positive school culture.
districts worked with the Tennessee Department of
Establishing leadership pathways also provides an
Education to develop a teacher leadership model
effective way to retain excellent teachers by creating
that meets their specific needs. While each district’s
attractive career ladders that do not require a teacher
model is unique, all provide opportunities for teachers
to leave the classroom.
to take on additional responsibilities in their school
or district without leaving the classroom. Teacher
17
In 2011, the State Board of Education adopted the
leaders may, for example, coach other teachers,
Teacher Leader Model Standards with the goal of
lead professional development sessions, or develop
developing strong teacher leadership in Tennessee.
common formative assessments for their district.
Two years later, the Tennessee Department of
Teachers receive additional compensation for taking
Education created the Tennessee Teacher Leader
on these extra responsibilities.31