Georgia's public schools are attracting hundreds of teachers who commute from nearby Tennessee.

Records show, about 16 percent of teachers in the 11 Georgia counties nearest Chattanooga -- live in the neighboring state.

Georgia teachers can make thousands more a year than in the neighboring state, according to a recent report from the National Education Association.

Kelly Henson with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission says Georgia also attracts teachers because of its "right to work" status.

"We don't have some of the entanglements that other states have when they are highly and heavily unionized," says Henson.

Henson says, the troubled housing market also factors in to commuting teachers.

He says, educators in nearby states would rather drive to Georgia each day than lose money selling their homes.

Contributors: Associated Press

Tags: Georgia, Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Tennessee, Georgia teachers, National Education Association, commuting teachers