First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited UT Knoxville in September to recognize Tennessee’s Grow Your Own teacher pipeline program.
Biden and Cardona praised the “incredible initiative” during a pep rally attended by leaders, participants and supporters of the program.
“What you are doing in Tennessee is a big deal,” Cardona said. “You are the first state to launch a registered teaching apprenticeship in the country. We know our paraeducators—our teacher’s assistants—they’re there because they want to help children. Let’s support them to become our next teachers.”
UT System Sees Enrollment Increase for 4th Consecutive Year
The University of Tennessee System’s enrollment has significantly risen for the fourth consecutive year, despite a steady decline in higher-education attendance across the nation.
“In order to build the greatest decade in UT history, we must do our part to make higher education more accessible,” says UT System President Randy Boyd. “I am encouraged to see we are trending in an extremely positive direction overall.”
Throughout the year, the selected scholars will meet with city and county leaders to get a thorough understanding of the problems faced by each of these counties. In addition, the scholars will meet with state legislators in Nashville to get a first-hand look at the legislative process. The scholars will be expected to identify needs in their home counties, propose research-based solutions, implement the solutions and then assess the impact.
Erin Crisp Named Executive Director of Grow Your Own Center
The UT System announced Erin Crisp as its first executive director of the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center in early October. Crisp will direct the center as it supports greater statewide access and opportunity for future educators.
“One way we can build the greatest decade in UT history is to help ensure we continue to have amazing teachers in our pre-K-12 classrooms across the state,” UT System President Randy Boyd says. “Erin’s leadership of the Grow Your Own Center will be a difference-maker as we address this Grand Challenge of recruiting and retaining qualified and caring teachers in our schools.”
