A recent $1.8 million grant awarded to the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center promises to address the pressing issue of teacher shortage in the state. Spearheaded by the Tennessee Department of Education and the University of Tennessee System, this initiative, funded by Ascendium Education Group, aims to bolster enrollment in teacher education programs and improve teacher retention rates.
The grant will facilitate the development of the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program of Study (RTAPS), an online curriculum designed by faculty fellows at the Institute for Competency-Based Teacher Education. This comprehensive curriculum will cover essential topics such as instructional planning, family and community collaboration, and learner development, providing Educator Preparation Providers and Local Education Agency leaders with access to a standards-based framework.
Virtual simulations funded by the grant will also play a crucial role in enhancing teacher skills, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of students in Tennessee’s classrooms.
Erin Crisp, Executive Director of the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center, expressed gratitude to Ascendium Education Group for their support, emphasizing that the grant will pave the way for the creation of affordable and high-quality educator preparation pathways. Dean Prentice Chandler of Austin Peay State University underscored the significance of the online curriculum in strengthening Tennessee’s education system.
The RTAPS program, a collaborative effort involving sixteen faculty fellows from institutions across the state, including UT System campuses and other universities, highlights the importance of partnership and idea exchange in advancing teacher preparation initiatives. According to Dean Ellen McIntyre of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, this collaborative approach promotes innovation and fosters community engagement.
The Grow Your Own programs, established through partnerships between school districts and Educator Preparation Providers statewide, aim to alleviate the financial barriers to becoming a teacher, ensure rigorous preparation, and enhance community representation in educator workforces. Tennessee’s registered teacher apprenticeship model, a part of the state’s Grow Your Own Initiative, integrates best practices in teacher development with the national registered apprenticeship process.
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Commissioner Deniece Thomas of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development lauded the grant funding, emphasizing its potential to expand opportunities and cultivate a pipeline of experienced teachers for Tennessee’s school districts. As the state continues to invest in innovative solutions to address teacher shortage, the impact of initiatives like the RTAPS program will be felt in classrooms across Tennessee, ensuring a brighter future for students and educators alike.