Tennessee Teachers Feel Good But Want More | Nashville News

Tennessee teachers are smiling at work, with morale scoring a solid plus ten—just shy of the national average of plus thirteen. Their top perks? Stellar benefits, with 81% saying they’re better or equal to what their loved ones get. But they’re not resting on laurels—they crave smaller classes (ideally 18 students or fewer) and more parental support. Nationwide, educators grapple with student behavior and mental health challenges, and Tennessee’s teachers say parents sometimes undermine classroom rules. Compared to Southern neighbors like Alabama (plus twelve) and Mississippi (plus sixteen), Tennessee holds its own—but still hopes for mental health days and stronger discipline systems to climb higher. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2026/09/15/what-tennessee-teachers-love-and-hate-about-their-jobs/91598769007/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ce8979dac5b3e7af Report issues to [email protected].