KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton is proposing changes to teacher education requirements that would allow educators with associate degrees or in a junior college program to teach K-5 students.

Speaker Sexton said Tennessee has about 2,000 teacher jobs open in the state.

Currently, all teachers in Tennessee must have a bachelor’s degree. Sexton said he sees no problem with allowing teachers with a two-year degree to work in elementary classrooms.

“We’ve had people successful in America from high school all the way up to getting a PhD. Whether or not what degree you have doesn’t define your success,” Sexton said.

The House Speaker said he views the community college route as an enhancement rather than a reduction in standards.

“I see this community college

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