The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, continues to be recognized as one of Tennessee’s top institutions for teacher and education leadership preparation. In the latest Tennessee Educator Preparation Report Card, UT was one of only two public institutions statewide to receive the top-tier “Exceeded Expectations” designation.
Issued annually by the Tennessee State Board of Education, the report card evaluates educator preparation programs based on criteria such as teacher effectiveness and employment outcomes. UT’s ranking reflects the university’s dedication to setting high standards for educator preparation in Tennessee.
Key metrics in the report card highlight increased enrollment in UT’s educator preparation programs, demonstrating the university’s commitment to addressing the statewide teacher shortage. Additionally, teachers and school leaders prepared at UT have higher rates of classroom persistence and retention than the state average, reinforcing the university’s effectiveness in fostering prolonged success in the teaching profession.
“With a 90% teacher retention rate after three years, this achievement reflects UT’s strong commitment to preparing and supporting educators for long-term success,” said David Cihak, associate dean of professional educator programs in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences and director of the Bailey Graduate School of Education. “We are grateful to our dedicated school partners for their invaluable role in preparing the next generation of teachers.”
Filling the Teaching Pipeline
UT continues to maintain its commitment to fostering innovative teaching methods and producing well-equipped, highly effective teachers who meet the evolving needs of Tennessee’s students. The university’s educator preparation programs serve a critical role for school districts like Knox County Schools.
When the 2024-25 academic year began, the district had just six vacant teaching positions across 92 schools. That’s a remarkable change from the 80 to 100 open positions that had been typical in recent years.
“Partnering with UT allows KCS to provide a clear, affordable and well-supported pathway to teaching for anyone in East Tennessee,” said Alex Moseman, executive director of talent acquisition for KCS.
VolsTeach, an undergraduate pathway program that offers students a range of field-based experiences, provides ongoing school-based teacher preparation for students working toward bachelor’s degrees in education, math and science. By giving students opportunities to work with experienced mentors in school settings, the program expands UT’s capacity to prepare highly qualified educators and help them become licensed to teach in-demand STEM subjects.
This program is just one example of how UT is helping to expand opportunities for aspiring teachers. Others include Grow Your Own, an apprenticeship program that helps teaching assistants work toward becoming fully licensed professional teachers while keeping their jobs, and UT-PLAYS (Personalized Learning At Your Speed), a flexible online program providing prospective and current educators with a cost-effective way to earn initial licensure and additional math and special education endorsements.
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CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)
Doug Edlund (865-974-2201, dedlund@tennessee.edu)