2019 Tennessee Code
Title 49 - Education
Chapter 5 - Personnel
Part 2 - Teachers' Rights and Duties Generally
§ 49-5-209. Teacher's bill of rights.
(a) For purposes of this section, “educator” means any teacher, principal, supervisor, or other individual required by law to hold a valid license of qualification for employment in the public schools of this state.
(b) An educator has the right to:
(1) Be treated with civility and respect;
(2) Have his or her professional judgment and discretion respected;
(3) Report any errant, offensive, or abusive content or behavior of students to school officials or appropriate agencies;
(4) Provide students with a classroom and school in which the educators, students, the property of the educator and students, and peers will be safe;
(5) Defend themselves and their students from physical violence or physical harm pursuant to § 49-6-4008;
(6) Share information regarding a student's educational experience, health, or safety with the student's parent or legal guardian unless otherwise prohibited by state law or the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), (20 U.S.C. § 1232g);
(7) Review all instructional material or curriculum prior to those materials being utilized for instruction of students; and
(8) Not be required to use their personal money to appropriately equip a classroom.
