Have you been passionate about shaping young minds, fostering growth, and leaving a lasting impact? Or do you love seeing kids learn something new and succeed? Teaching could be the perfect career for you.  

Teaching is a career where you get to directly impact the lives of young people, helping them grow and develop their talents. Every state has its requirements regarding education level, licensing, and experience regarding teachers. 

There needs to be more quality teachers across the country. The National Teacher Shortage Data shows 41 states face shortages in critical subject areas or grade levels.

Teaching is a rewarding career path, but it’s not always easy. You’ll need to be a clear communicator, have enough knowledge of your subject area, and work under contract.

For many educators, teaching goes beyond just a job – it’s a vocation. It’s about inspiring young minds, fostering curiosity, and helping them grow into well-rounded citizens.

While financial compensation shouldn’t be your primary motivator for becoming an educator, teaching jobs are often very stable, and you can expect long vacations and breaks throughout the year.

Teacher salaries and benefits can vary greatly depending on location. For example, the average teacher salary in Mississippi is $45,574, whereas in Tennessee, it jumps to $54,024. With your passion for building relationships with young people, you can make a great educator.

Smiling teacher at the school class

State Requirements for Teaching In Tennessee State

Each state has a unique set of teaching requirements. These requirements reflect the current educational landscape and the state’s commitment to quality education. 

A state facing a teacher shortage may be more flexible in its requirements to attract and retain educators. Teaching requirements also vary based on the level you aim to teach—elementary, middle, or high school. 

Elementary school teachers may need a strong foundation in various subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies to create engaging lessons that introduce young learners to a broad range of topics.

High school teachers specialize in English, history, biology, chemistry, or mathematics. They may focus more on preparing students for standardized tests or college coursework. 

Kindergarten educators on the other hand face unique challenges in fostering social and emotional development alongside basic skills like letter recognition and math concepts.

There are also special areas within teaching,  such as special education Art, music, and physical education, that require additional certifications or qualifications.

The  Office of Educator Licensing oversees the certification process in Tennessee. Here is the traditional path to licensure:

1. Bachelor’s degree: 

All states require certified teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree. Your bachelor’s degree equips you with in-depth knowledge of your subject area, e.g., history, mathematics, or literature.

The key learnings and skills from this degree program that will make you  qualified for the teaching job include:

  • Subject matter knowledge: For effective instruction, you’ll need to understand the content you’ll be teaching deeply.
  • Instructional methods: You’ll learn various teaching strategies to cater to different learning styles and age groups. 
  • Classroom management: This includes skills for creating a positive learning environment, setting expectations, and maintaining classroom discipline.
  • Assessment: You’ll develop the ability to design and implement assessments to measure student learning and progress.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs that can lead you to a career in education include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A.Ed.)

2. Complete an accredited Teacher Preparation Program 

You’ll need to complete an accredited teacher preparation program (TPP). This program equips you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience you need to thrive in today’s classrooms.  

A teaching preparation program ensures you gain a strong foundation in pedagogy and equips you with the skills to educate students effectively.

The program curriculum keeps you updated on the latest educational trends and best practices, ensuring you adapt your teaching to meet the evolving needs of students.

There are plenty of accredited teacher preparation programs across Tennessee.  These programs come in various forms, including traditional on-campus and online options.

3. Gain student teaching experience

Before you lead your class, you’ll spend time as a student teacher.  You’ll shadow your mentor teacher, observing their teaching styles and classroom management techniques.  

Gradually, you’ll take on more responsibility, co-teaching lessons, planning activities, and eventually leading your instruction.

Tennessee requires aspiring teachers to complete a specific number of student teaching hours. The exact number can vary depending on your program, around 120 to 300 hours. Still, Tennessee does not list a minimum number of hours of student teaching experience as a requirement for licensure.

An effective student teaching experience program will let you apply what you learned to the actual test and see how effective your lesson plans are with actual students.

You’ll gain the confidence to stand in front of a classroom and effectively engage students. You’ll get valuable feedback from your mentors and build relationships with other educators and school administrators, potentially opening doors to future job opportunities.

4. Pass a background check

Schools prioritize student safety. Background checks reveal any history of child abuse, neglect, or criminal activity. By passing this check, you demonstrate your commitment to creating a safe learning environment.

5. Get Certified

Teacher certification is crucial for anyone aspiring to teach in public schools. While each state sets its requirements, Tennessee has a well-defined process to ensure qualified and prepared educators enter its classroom.

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Complete an accredited Tennessee  Educator Preparation Program (EPP) program that combines coursework in pedagogy with practical teaching experience. 
  • Pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test and any subject-specific Praxis test relevant to your chosen teaching areas.
  • Undergo a criminal background check to ensure a clean record.
  • Apply for a Tennessee teaching license through the TNCompass account, the state’s online licensing system.

6. Consider getting a master’s degree

A master’s degree is not mandatory for obtaining a Tennessee teaching license, but it can boost your career. 

Most states encourage teachers to pursue a master’s within their first five years. 

A master’s degree requires additional time and financial investment, but it’s a worthwhile pursuit if you want to enhance your knowledge, skills, and career prospects.

Here are the benefits of having a master’s degree:

  • More profound knowledge and skills: Master’s programs allow you to dig deeper into specific areas of education, like curriculum development, instructional leadership, or special education. 
  • Increased earning: Teachers with a master’s degree often earn higher salaries than their bachelor’s-degree counterparts.
  • Career advancement opportunities: A master’s degree can open doors to leadership roles within schools, such as becoming a curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, or even a school principal.

Alternative Teacher Certification

You can become an educator even if you don’t have a degree in education. You qualify for a teaching license with a degree from other fields through  Alternative Teacher Certification programs.

Alternative certification programs lead to awarding a certificate or master’s degree after completing an approved Educator Preparation Program. 

Even if you choose the non-traditional method of licensure, you must still pass the Praxis test. Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) for the grade level you’ll want to teach, and Core Academic Skills for Educators exams, as well as the Praxis Subject Assessments, tests appropriate to the content area and grade you wish to teach. 

Some of the common Alternative Teaching License it’s  in Tennessee are:

  • Practitioner Teacher License: The Practitioner Teacher License is for aspiring educators who want to become classroom teachers in traditional subjects like math, English, or history. 

This license is valid for three years and renewables once. To qualify for the license, you must have a bachelor’s degree and enroll in an approved teacher preparation program that participates in the Practitioner Teacher License Program

  • Practitioner Occupational Education License: The Practitioner Occupational Education License is for career and technical education (CTE) subjects.  To qualify for this license, you must be admitted to or completed an educator preparation program.

You must have a high school diploma, five years of industry experience, and a recognized industry-related certification or license. You’ll be recommended for licensure by the program you enrolled in.

Getting Hired as a Teacher

Landing your dream teaching job in Tennessee requires a strong foundation in education, certification, and in-classroom experience.

As a new educator, focus on your classroom experience during your job search. Many school districts will want to hire you because your position will be lower on the pay scale.

Before applying for different teaching jobs, you must remember to:

1. Polish your CV

For teaching roles, you can predict the skills you need to include by checking what most schools in Tennessee state require from their teachers.

You need a highly-targeted CV that gets you noticed by adjusting it to each job ad. Hiring managers won’t be strained by reading a CV that’s too lengthy. Stick to the most relevant skill sets and follow the Tennessee state-approved formatting guidelines.

2. Upgrade your skillset

You can enhance your teaching skills in Tennessee by participating in Professional Development courses for Educators.

You can also attend subject-specific training sessions to deepen your expertise in the subjects you teach and take up leadership roles within your school or district to gain valuable experience.

 Here are some essential teaching skills:

  • Communication:  Effective communication is crucial for interacting with students, parents, and colleagues. It includes professional speaking, empathetic listening, and clear media communication. 
  • Computer skills: You’ll need to use tools like intelligent boards in online classrooms and participate in project-based learning.
  • Creativity: You’ll need to innovate lesson plans, informally assess students, and find unique solutions to behavioral challenges.
  • Leadership: You’ll need to demonstrate leadership by inspiring students and colleagues, fostering a positive atmosphere, and contributing fresh ideas.
  • Critical thinking: You’ll need to encourage students to think critically, solve problems, and analyze information.
  • Patience: You’ll need to maintain composure, adapt to diverse student needs, and provide individualized support.
  • Subject expertise: You’ll need a deep knowledge of the subject matter you teach.
  • Classroom management: You’ll need to maintain order, engage students, and create a positive learning environment.

3. Begin your job search

An easier way to start your job search is by looking for hiring districts. You can also contact the districts you are interested in directly, either through email or phone, and find out if they are hiring.

If you are interested in specific schools, you can send your resume to them even if they are not hiring. The schools may reach out to you when a teaching vacancy arises in the future.

You can also join the Tennessee Education Job Board, highlight openings for all district positions, and connect job seekers with districts through the TN Teacher Jobs Connection.

4. Join professional organizations

Networking is an effective tool that can help you find a teaching job. You can network through social media,  friends, and by joining professional organizations.

Here are some professional organizations you can join:

  • Professional Educators of Tennessee (ProEdTN): This statewide association represents educators from all aspects of Tennessee’s educational system. As a member, you’ll have access to legal support, advocacy, savings, and classroom resources. 
  • Tennessee Education Association (TEA): TEA is the state’s largest professional association, representing teachers, administrators, education support professionals, higher education faculty, and future teachers.

Here are the benefits of networking with other educators through these organizations :

  • You’ll receive updates on education policies, legislation, and best practices.
  • You’ll connect with fellow educators, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.
  • You’ll attend conferences, workshops, and webinars to enhance your skills.
  • You’ll gain emotional support, mentorship, and advice from experienced educators.

5. Ace your job teaching interview

You pass the test, and finally, you are eligible to start classroom instructions, but before you get there, you’ll need to pass an interview. 

Here are a few tips and tricks on acing your teacher interview.

  1. Research and get to know the school or district you’ll potentially work for. 
  2. Prepare a professional mission statement explaining why you chose to become a teacher. Connect it to the school’s vision.
  3. Review your CV, check the dates, job duties, and skills you listed on your resume, and highlight some relevant to the teaching job you’re applying for.
  4. Practice possible teacher interview questions and answer them out loud, as it will help you prepare for the big day.
  5. Discuss proactive approaches to classroom management.
  6.  Highlight your commitment to students’ emotional well-being.

Career Outlook & Salary

Teachers are in high demand, especially in the States. In February 2024, 1 in 60 teaching positions remained vacant.

The need for more qualified educators led Governor Bill Lee to sign the TPPA, raising the minimum salary for first-year teachers from $35,000 to $50,000 starting in 2026.

In 2024, the Tennessee State projected an increase in the number of educators in the following areas:

A public school teacher in Tennessee earns an average of  $54,024 as of June 27, 2024, but the range falls between $45,101 and $65,907.Salary ranges vary depending on the city,  education, certifications, additional skills, and the experience you have in your profession.

Here are the Tennessee teacher salaries for different teaching jobs as of June 2024:

  • The average kindergarten teacher salary in Tennessee is$58,217.
  • The average Middle School Teacher salary in Tennessee is $61,390.
  • The average High School Teacher salary in Tennessee is $61,400  
  • The average Special Education Teacher salary in Tennessee is $58,537.

Become a Teacher In Tennessee 

As a teacher, you’ll prepare young minds to tackle difficult challenges, help students learn and grow, and leave a lasting impact on the community.

Teaching is a gratifying career, and if you meet all the requirements, you can expect to make a difference in the next generation’s lives. 

At Teachers of Tomorrow, we’re committed to helping you become a certified educator through Alternative Teaching Preparation Program. We will guide you to start teaching with full pay and benefits in weeks! 

Our online program is self-paced, so you can start anytime and begin training to become eligible for employment this year.