By TEA Executive Director Terrance J. Gibson

As we welcome 2026, I find myself reflecting on the promise of a new year: its opportunity for renewal, its invitation to recommit, and its reminder that progress is always possible when we work together. It is also a moment for courageous action, especially as we step into another legislative session where advocacy truly matters.

Every January, educators lead students into the second half of the school year with hope, persistence, and a belief in what is possible. That belief is what continues to shape Tennessee’s future. And as TEA’s Executive Director, it is my privilege to walk beside you in this work—to protect and advocate for our students, our profession, and our members as we pursue our shared vision of great public schools that prepare every student for success in a diverse and interdependent world.

New Year’s resolutions often revolve around self-improvement. For educators, the new year is also a call to collective improvement of our schools, our working conditions, and the systems our students rely on. The convening of the Tennessee General Assembly each January is not a spectator event. It is an open door and your opportunity to speak as the true experts in public education: the educators who serve students every single day. Courageous action begins with showing up, speaking out, and helping construct the path our students deserve.

John Dewey reminds us that, “Education is not an affair of ‘telling’ and being told, but an active and constructive process.” The same is true of shaping public policy. If we want better schools, better supports, and better respect for our profession, it will not come from simply being told what lawmakers decide. It will come from actively constructing a better path—through engagement, communication, advocacy, and unity.

As we approach this year’s legislative session, TEA will continue the work that has defined our 160-year history. And because lasting progress requires both organizational strength and member engagement, we will pursue meaningful improvements that reflect our shared priorities:

    • Stopping unchecked voucher expansion that drains resources from the public schools where 90% of Tennessee’s students learn.

    • Improving funding and educator pay, so all students benefit from qualified, committed educators who are respected and supported.

    • Strengthening the educator pipeline through compensation for student teachers, paid residency programs, and grow-your-own pathways.

    • Replacing punitive accountability systems with policies focused on instruction, relevance, and student growth.

But lasting progress cannot happen without you. TEA’s power comes from the combination of strong organizational advocacy and the collective voice of our members. When you connect with your local leaders, speak to your legislators, and stand together as one unified voice for public education, you amplify the efforts our TEA advances every day.

As we enter 2026, I encourage each of us to approach this year with clarity, resolve, and the renewed sense of possibility this season brings. Together, let’s speak up, stand strong, and insist on the great public schools every Tennessee student deserves.