NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WGNS) — Student teachers in Tennessee could soon receive financial support during their required classroom internships under a new proposal aimed at easing the state’s growing teacher shortage.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) is backing a plan that would provide student teachers with a monthly stipend ranging from $1,400 to $2,000 during their four-month, full-time internships — a requirement to become a licensed educator in Tennessee.

“It is very difficult for student teachers to survive during their unpaid internship,” Sexton said in a statement. “Not only does it discourage talented individuals from entering the profession, but it also forces them to take out additional student loans or work a second job.”

Education advocates say the plan could make teaching a more accessible career path, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.

JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, said the financial burden of unpaid internships has kept many capable candidates from pursuing teaching careers.

“You’re being asked to work for four months without being compensated. A lot of low-income students do not go into teaching simply because they have to pay for the Praxis exam, gas, and professional clothing. The stipend could help ease those costs and expand the teacher pipeline.”

According to EdTrust-Tennessee, the state currently has approximately 1,400 official teacher vacancies and over 5,000 positions filled by individuals without full certification. The stipend proposal is one of several ideas Sexton has floated to address these shortages.

The Tennessee General Assembly is expected to review the proposal during the upcoming legislative session. If approved, it could be implemented in time for the 2025-2026 academic year.