The document that allows a person to teach in the schools of Tennessee. A person who holds a license may teach outside of the endorsement field for a maximum of two periods a day assuming a normal schedule. The person who is licensed to teach elementary grades one through eight has a license with an elementary endorsement. Once an initial license has been issued, additional endorsements can be added to that license with the completion of additional requirements. There are stringent requirements for obtaining and renewing this license that is can be obtained for three years, total.
Students do internships in the elementary schools.
In certain instances a fully licensed teacher may be employed by a school district to teach a subject for which the teacher is not licensed. Waivers can be issued twice. In certain instances a school district cannot find or secure a licensed teacher for a job, and a vacancy exists. If the school district has advertised the vacancy and cannot find a licensed teacher, the situation is considered an emergency and the superintendent can request a permit from the Tennessee Department of Education's Office of Teacher Licensure. A person employed with a permit must have at least a baccalaureate degree.