Tennessee Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Month

Governor Bill Lee and education leaders are encouraging Tennesseans to recognize the state’s teachers throughout the month of May for Teacher Appreciation Month.Tennessee will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week from May 8-12 and Teacher Appreciation Day on May 2."Teaching is more than a career—it's a calling," said Governor Bill Lee. "I’m proud to proclaim it ‘Teacher Appreciation Month’ to recognize the hard work and dedication of Tennessee teachers to prepare students for success in the classroom and beyond."The Tennessee Department of Education is engaging on social media this month with hashtags #TNSupportsTeachers for those who wish to celebrate teachers they know and #WhyTeachTN for current teachers wanting to share why they love what they do.Throughout the month, the department will be sharing and celebrating across multiple social media outlets, highlighting great teachers throughout the state.There are over one million students across the Volunteer State, and teachers ensure those students have quality instruction and are successful in the classroom and beyond.“Teachers are the backbone of our schools and play a vital role in mentoring and leading students to success in and outside of the classroom,” said Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Thank you to each and every one of our educators for your dedication and passion each day. The time and work that you devote to your students is truly shaping the future of Tennessee.”Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation to increase minimum teacher salary to $50,000 by 2026.