In its new state of education report, SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education) recommends elevating excellence in teaching as Tennessee’s most powerful investment, highlighting the use of Opportunity Culture® models to do so.
In a panel discussion tied to the report’s release on Wednesday, 2026 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year Annette Tudor, the director of schools for Bristol Tennessee City Schools, spoke about how Opportunity Culture® roles are making a difference for her district.
“We are partnering both with SCORE and Opportunity Culture to offer strategic staffing opportunities for our teachers as an incentive to keep them in the classroom…We’re seeing great success with that,” Tudor said.
Make an “Intentional Investment”
In response to a question about how to better support teachers and elevate excellent teaching, Tudor argued for an intentional investment in excellent teachers.
“Our best teachers are leaving classrooms for advancement opportunities and better compensation,” she said.
Excellent teachers who take on team leadership—the Multi-Classroom Leader® role—are earning stipends of 15 to 20 percent of the traditional teacher salary.
“So they could really increase their earnings so they are… comparable to what an administrator would make, but they’re not leaving the classroom,” Tudor said. “They’re having great impact on novice teachers, but also on students who need them the most. They’re supporting everyone in that, and that’s really a win-win for us.”
In the early stages of using these roles, she said, “initial outcomes are showing that students are learning and having better opportunities; teachers in the learning curve of a first- or second- or third-year teacher—that learning curve is better supported and mentored by experienced teachers who have the knowledge and expertise in a content area.”
By defining advanced roles, compensation models, development plans, and accountability structures, Tennessee can make teaching a long-term, rewarding career path, the “2026 State of Education in Tennessee: Moving Every Student Forward” report says.
“The Results Speak for Themselves”
From the report:
“The results speak for themselves. In districts operating these staffing models, both student outcomes and teacher retention have improved. New data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction demonstrates that schools integrating the OC [Opportunity Culture] advanced teacher role model are two to three times more likely to exceed learning growth expectations — 43% of Title I schools exceeded growth expectations compared to 21% of Title I schools that are not engaged with strategic staffing design.
“Furthermore, 63% of Title I schools engaged with OC staffing for at least four years experienced high growth. In Tennessee, districts employing strategic staffing structures are supporting teachers in training with completing coursework, improving teacher-leader retention, alleviating coaching caseloads for principals, and enhancing educator development.
“For advanced teacher role structures to succeed, compensation of Tennessee teachers must reflect responsibility and effectiveness. The leadership roles that our strongest teachers take on should come with significant, sustained salary increases that recognize both the skill required and the broader impact on students and schools. In the case of North Carolina and their significant impact on improving student outcomes, pay supplements averaged 23% of a teacher’s salary, about $13,500–$20,000.”
Priorities for Success
The report recommends four priorities to move the vision for student success forward:
1. Strengthen Accountability Systems to Turn Data into Action and Insight into Impact: Monitor for accountability; accelerate data access.
2. Transform Education into an Engine for Economic Opportunity: Reimagine dual enrollment; connect learning to career through work-based learning; empower students with information; reward institutions for impact credentials; set a higher standard for nondegree credentials.
3. Elevate Excellence in Teaching as Tennessee’s Most Powerful Investment: Strengthen teacher evaluation systems, create instructional coherence; reimagine great teaching for students (by supporting excellent teachers with opportunities to advance and extend their reach).
4. Expand Access to High-Quality School Options for Every Family, in Every Community: Level the funding and facilities playing field; modernize authorization for charter schools; break down barriers to open enrollment.
Read more: TN SCORE Case Studies Highlight Strong Results for Four Districts Using Opportunity Culture Models