Sumner County rolls out local educator-preparation program to recruit CTE teachers

Sumner County announced the launch of a locally operated educator preparation program after receiving Tennessee Department of Education approval, a district official told the board.

Justin Alexander, who led the presentation, said the program — one of three in the state — will begin with a two‑year cohort focused on CTE occupational licensure and is scheduled to begin with candidates in July. "We submitted our first application in 2021, and we went through a substantial feedback process with the Tennessee Department of Education," Alexander said. He reported the cohort was near capacity: 13 of 15 spots filled for the first run.

The program uses a coaching model that combines summer intensives with monthly sessions during the school year and embedded classroom observation and feedback. Because the county is not charging tuition to candidates in this cohort, participants will sign a three‑year work agreement committing them to Sumner County Schools after licensure, Alexander said, so the district retains the investment in developing local teachers.

Board members asked how the local program differs from existing partnerships (for example, Lipscomb's Grow Your Own grant) and how candidates' credentials will be processed. Alexander said licensed teachers will receive state of Tennessee teaching licenses after Sumner County EPP submits required documentation to the state; some candidates who already meet industry qualifications may bypass certain grant-driven testing requirements and be placed as teachers of record more quickly.

District officials said the pilot begins with CTE occupational tracks at the district's direction, with plans to expand into math, science and other licensure areas pending future approvals and partnership work with neighboring Rutherford County.