The deadline for applying to be a mentor for the 2017 class of Tennessee Promise students has been extended to Monday, November 21. We need your help – we still need more than 2,000 Tennesseans to meet our goal of having 9,000 mentors to help students transition from high school to college. Go to http://tnpromise.gov/volunteers.shtml for more information and to apply. The time commitment is small (typically just an hour a month). The impact is huge – for these students, your community and our state.

We’re committed to providing our campuses with resources to support the unprecedented numbers of students enrolling in college. Today we announced awards totaling $24.3 million to 10 schools from our Drive to 55 Capacity Fund.

For the second year, we are partnering with Vanderbilt Peabody College and school districts to build a pipeline of highly-trained school principals through the Governor’s Academy for School Leadership.

In response to the ongoing drought and destructive wildfires throughout Middle and East Tennessee, today I issued a proclamation declaring a regional ban on burning in 51 counties.

This Veterans Day and everyday we’re grateful for the 500,000 veterans who call the Volunteer State home.

November 1 marked the deadline for Tennessee Promise, and we had a record number - 60,780! - high school seniors apply. Now our goal is to secure 9,000 mentors for these students before the deadline on November 20. We don’t just want students to apply to college; we want them to succeed in college and graduate. Mentors play a huge role in that. The time commitment is small, but the impact can be life changing for students across our state and in your community. Apply today at http://tnpromise.gov/volunteers.shtml.

ICYMI: Tennessee is the fastest improving state in the U.S. in science! Here's a recap of our big announcement on Thursday. I couldn't be prouder of Tennessee's students and teachers. #TNSoarsinScience

Join me live at Oliver Middle Prep to celebrate Tennessee teachers and students. We're the fastest improving state in the nation in science.

BREAKING: Tennessee Soars in Science!

Tennessee students are the fastest improving in the nation in science, according to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card.

So proud that all seven of Garth Brooks' diamond albums were made in Tennessee. Thanks Tennessee Vacation for a great #garth7d celebration! #MadeinTN

ICYMI: A look at my backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry this week with Clancey, a tour guide who is also a member of the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Clancey wanted the opportunity to work and found the perfect fit at the home of country music thanks to the help of the Opry and the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. #ThisIsWhatWeDoTN #TNe1st

Exciting to see progress on the construction of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville. Thanks to Bishop Richard Stika, the Diocese of Knoxville and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee for taking Rep. Eddie Smith and me on a tour.