CLARKSVILLE, TN – Graduating seniors from Austin Peay State University’s Eriksson College of Education achieved the program’s highest edTPA passing rate and scores since the university adopted the assessment in 2013, positioning these newly licensed teachers to succeed in Tennessee’s classrooms.
The edTPA (Educative Teacher Performance Assessment) is a nationally recognized three-part portfolio that evaluates teacher candidates’ lesson planning, instruction, and assessment capabilities. Tennessee requires teachers to pass the edTPA to receive their state license and will transition to updated clinical practice requirements next year, making this semester’s cohort the last to complete the assessment.
“We were very excited about the results,” said Angela Stone, Austin Peay’s edTPA coordinator. “We haven’t had this level of success since I joined the program, and it was fulfilling to go out on such a high note during our last semester using the edTPA. I’m so proud of what these students have accomplished.”
Stone said teacher candidates typically spend 40 hours on the edTPA, which involves writing lesson plans, recording video footage of their teaching, and analyzing student work, along with writing commentaries to provide a strong rationale for instructional decisions and next steps.
“The edTPA helped me understand students’ thought processes because it encourages you to think about your students at every step,” said Gabriella Emrey, a senior K-5 education major. “From the beginning, you’re figuring out what they need to know and how to help them. Once you’re actually teaching, that helps you adapt to your classroom.”
Emrey taught math at Barksdale Elementary this semester, and after graduation, she hopes to work there as a long-term substitute before joining the full-time staff next year. She planned to go into culinary arts, but a teaching assistant role at a preschool inspired her to change careers.
“I love working with younger kids because you get to see them grow and have those aha moments when they figure something out,” she said. “It’s like you’re the parent in the classroom, because you’re the person they look up to, go to for safety, and share their excitement with.”
The high-performing cohort represented multiple disciplines, from history and chemistry to music and physical education. Dr. Jennifer Snyder, an associate professor of art education who has supported her students’ edTPA preparation at APSU since 2013, is excited to see this year’s graduates starting their careers.
“It’s always great to see the students succeed, because that’s ultimately what you want as an educator,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to have good students throughout my time here, and I’m proud to see them working hard in the profession … [because] having a good experience with art stays with you for your entire life.”