TN Dept of Education

Bradley, Meigs, and Polk County Schools have all been awarded an $11.4 million Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant. The districts will launch the POTENTIAL program, which aims to raise high school graduation rates, improve academic performance, expand STEM opportunities, and help more students enroll in college. We look forward to seeing the new opportunities this program will create for our students. @BradleySchools @MeigsTNSchools @PolkTNSchools #AcceleratingTN

Education is the foundation of Tennessee, and educators' impact lasts a lifetime. We are proud to have multiple pathways for Tennesseans to become part of students' stories. You can watch the full video highlighting Sumner County Schools on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/watch?v=XiCtDEY1… #AcceleratingTN

Registration for the Spring 2027 Cohort of the Computer Science Endorsement Pathway (CSEP) is open! If you currently hold a teaching license, you can complete the CSEP at NO COST to earn an endorsement that qualifies you to teach computer science courses. This pathway is designed to help licensed teachers earn an add-on endorsement, ensuring that each school has properly endorsed teaching staff. Individual teachers, principals, or district leaders can register. This course will run from January 11 through May 2, 2027. Register now: stateoftennessee.formstack.c…

ICYMI: Introducing our newest literacy resource: A Guide for Hosting a One Book Community Blitz: A Toolkit for Supporting Family Engagement! A One Book Community Blitz brings students, families, educators, and community partners together around a shared book and engaging literacy activities. Ready to bring your community together through the power of reading? Explore the toolkit today at bestforall-cms.tnedu.gov/sit…

Congratulations to our Principal of the Year Grand Division awardees! These outstanding principals exemplify exceptional leadership across Tennessee's West, Middle, and East Grand Divisions. Through their dedication, vision, and commitment to their school communities, they create meaningful opportunities for students and staff. Thank you for choosing Tennessee and for the lasting impact you have on helping our schools thrive. @GreenevilleCity @MNPSDuPontTyler @MetroSchools @uofmschools #AcceleratingTN

Applications for the 9th Annual Junior Chef Competition are now open! This statewide, high school-level cooking competition lets students compete against other teams in a points-based competition. Scholarships will be awarded to the top three teams. The state winner will also be eligible to advance to the Southeast Region Junior Chef Competition, where they will compete for additional scholarship funding. Applications are due December 18, so apply today: tn.gov/education/districts/s…

Teachers make Tennessee! This month we highlighted some outstanding educators who go above and beyond to ensure the success of future generations. The department is very proud to offer a variety of pathways for Tennesseans to join the education workforce and share knowledge with those who will drive future innovation. In this video, we spotlight Sumner County's TeachSumner initiative, where educators come from a variety of career backgrounds. For more details, visit tn.gov/education/teachreadyt… to learn about our Strategic Staffing, EPP Partnerships, Mentorship, Educator Recruitment, Educator Pipeline, Educator Retention, and Differentiated Compensation. #AcceleratingTN

October is Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the connections among our schools, local farmers, students, and communities! From school gardens and agricultural education to locally grown foods in the cafeteria, Farm to School helps students discover where their food comes from and why local agriculture matters. Whether you're serving local food in the cafeteria, visiting a farm, planting a school garden, or simply enjoying a Tennessee-grown snack, there are many ways to celebrate Farm to School Month! Share your celebrations with us by tagging us and submitting photos: stateoftennessee.formstack.c… #TNFarmtoSchool #AcceleratingTN

Congratulations to the grand division awardees of Teacher of the Year! These three educators exemplify outstanding teaching across Tennessee's west, middle, and east regions. Their expertise enables students of various grade levels and specialties to thrive. We are incredibly proud of your work and are honored to have all of you teaching in Tennessee. @DSExplorers @MCScommunicates @LaudCoSchools #AcceleratingTN

The Governor’s Schools Application is now open for summer 2027! Each program offers a unique learning environment for rising 11th- and 12th-grade students interested in the arts, humanities, agricultural science, STEM programs, advanced mathematics, physics, leadership, international studies, Tennessee history, or potential teaching careers. The application deadline is November 20, so start yours today! For additional information and application instructions, visit tn.gov/education/districts/i…. @utmartin @MTSU @austinpeay @tennesseetech @UTChattanooga @UTKnoxville #AcceleratingTN

Registration for the Math Implementation Network 2026-27 Virtual Learning Session 2 closes tomorrow! Topics include: - Exploring additive thinking and its role in the development of mathematical reasoning - Examining the role of classroom assessment evidence in understanding student learning - Analyzing classroom assessment item alignment to Tennessee standards and grade-level expectations - Applying a process for examining classroom assessment alignment in local contexts Register today for a session on October 27 or 29: schoolkitgroup.formstack.com…

Last month, Opportunities with Literacy (OWL) Fest brought excitement to 35 schools across Tennessee in partnership with @Scholastic. Thanks to @GovLiteracyTN, every PreK–5th grade student received six brand-new books to build their own home library and foster a love of reading! #AcceleratingTN

Class of 2027, graduation is just the beginning. The transition from high school to postsecondary can be smoother with a plan. Did you know that several institutions offer applications that are completely free? Dream big. Apply everywhere. Take steps towards the future you want. For more information about the college application process: collegefortn.org/applying-to… @College4TN #AcceleratingTN

Writing Matters: Join Us for ELN Regional Convening 2! This convening will focus on strengthening writing as a critical component of literacy and on exploring how high-quality instruction helps students use writing to deepen understanding, communicate ideas, and demonstrate learning. We encourage all leaders whose roles oversee literacy progress to join us as we continue building coherent literacy systems that support all students. The last day to register is TOMORROW, October 16! Middle Region (Murfreesboro) - November 4, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. CT: web.cvent.com/event/dc49b9f1… West Region (Jackson) - November 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. CT: web.cvent.com/event/1f89333e… East Region (Knoxville) - November 6, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. ET: web.cvent.com/event/8acf0d53…

ICYMI: On October 1, we announced the 2026-27 Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Supervisor of the Year, along with the Novice Teacher of the Year Honorees, Aspiring Educator Award, the 2026 Milken Award, and the two 2026 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) state finalists at the Excellence in Education event.🎉 We also want to extend a special thank-you to these amazing organizations, who made our event possible. Let's continue celebrating these amazing achievements! Read more: tn.gov/education/news/2026/1… @PCSSTN @BradleySchools @cville_schools @tosstn1975 @Bojangles @K1Education @RoaneSchoolsTN #AcceleratingTN

Happy birthday to the @USNavy! Across Tennessee, there are remarkable Navy Junior ROTC Units that demonstrate the values and skills of the US Navy. These cadets will graduate with the experience to excel in their postsecondary journeys. @elizabethtonhs @ElizCitySchools @LCHSFalcons @LCSchools1 @UnionCoPatriots @UnionCounty4 @discovermase #AcceleratingTN