Collage of photos from the 2026 Teacher Industry Day showing educators from Bristol Tennessee City Schools and neighboring districts attending presentations, meeting with industry representatives, and touring local businesses. Visits include a hair salon, automotive repair facility, fire department, and other workplaces, highlighting connections between classroom learning and local career opportunities.

Teachers Explore Local Career Opportunities During Teacher Industry Day

Bristol Tennessee City Schools

November 3, 2026

Bristol Tennessee City Schools (BTCS) educators traded their classrooms for local workplaces on Tuesday, November 3, as they participated in Teacher Industry Day, an annual event connecting educators with the businesses and industries that drive our region's economy.

This year's event brought together teachers from BTCS, Sullivan County Schools, and Bristol Virginia Public Schools. While all three districts have participated in Teacher Industry Day over the years, their professional development calendars do not always align. This year, a shared in-service day allowed educators from all three systems to participate together.

Sponsored by Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Teacher Industry Day has been connecting educators with local industries for more than 30 years.

The day began at King University with breakfast and remarks from education and industry leaders before teachers headed out to visit businesses throughout the region.

BTCS teachers explored a wide variety of workplaces, including Bell Helicopter, Bristol Tennessee Police and Fire Departments, Microporous, Mattern & Craig, Turtleson, TVA, and several local construction, engineering, healthcare, and financial organizations. Through these visits, educators gained firsthand insight into the skills employers value, the career opportunities available locally, and ways to connect classroom learning to real-world applications.

BTCS teachers Amanda Vance and Brittney Faust stand in front of a blue helicopter during their Teacher Industry Day visit to Bell Helicopter. A red helicopter and other aircraft are visible inside the manufacturing facility.

Dr. Chelsea Rose, senior director of Postsecondary and Workforce Strategy at the Tennessee Department of Education, addressed participants during the morning program, emphasizing the long-term benefits of work-based learning. She discussed research linking these experiences to stronger postsecondary outcomes and higher earnings, along with the importance of mentorship, meaningful skill development, and helping students connect workplace experiences to their future goals.

“Teacher Industry Day is an event we look forward to each year because it gives our educators a valuable opportunity to step outside the classroom and see firsthand the businesses and industries that help our community thrive,” said BTCS Director of Schools Dr. Annette Tudor. “We are fortunate to have such strong support from our local business community, and we are grateful to the partners who welcome our teachers into their workplaces. These experiences not only strengthen our community relationships but also help our teachers make meaningful connections between what students learn in school and the opportunities available to them right here in our region.”

By experiencing local industries firsthand, teachers can bring new perspectives into their classrooms, helping students understand how the knowledge and skills they develop in school connect to career possibilities in their own community.

BTCS thanks BTES, TVA, King University, and the participating businesses and organizations for their continued commitment to connecting education and industry and helping prepare students for future success.