University of Tennessee Theory and Practice in Teacher Education

10/22/2026

The AI Tennessee Challenge is officially live! 🎉 K-12 students across Tennessee are invited to identify a real problem in their community and explore how AI could help solve it.

Students can take part individually, in teams, or as a classroom, with an adult sponsor (no AI experience needed).

Submissions are due November 24. 👉 Sign up now: aitennessee.ai/ai-tennessee-challenge

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University of Tennessee Theory and Practice in Teacher Education

10/21/2026

Meet Brianne McGee, a second-year PhD student in UTK TPTE’s Elementary Education program!

Join us on Wednesday, October 28, as Brianne takes over our socials to share a glimpse into her day as a doctoral student, highlight her research and experiences, and give us a behind-the-scenes look at life in TPTE! 📚🍊

Be sure to follow along and see a day in the life of a TPTE PhD student looks like!

10/14/2026

As special invite to our TPTE PhD students! Please join us for a lunch and learn event for discussions exploring academic writing. We hope to see you on October 21, from 11:30am to 1:00pm in Claxton 426. Please RSVP by October 15th at: https://tinyurl.com/OctoberPhDLunchandLearn

10/14/2026

Congratulations to TPTE EdS student, Eddie Patton, on being awarded Teacher of the Year at Harriman Middle School! We are so proud of Eddie’s accomplishment!

10/07/2026

**All text and graphics / photos credited to UTK Digital Learning**



Want to know how video can bring classroom experiences to life in an asynchronous course? Our very own Melody Hobbs, TPTE Clinical Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood education, shares her approach to online teaching, including her Lessons in Kindergarten video series, which gives students a glimpse into the day-to-day life of teacher.

Check out the video to hear more about how she created an engaging online course for her students!

LINK: https://tinyurl.com/lessonsinkindergarten

A huge thank you to the UTK Digital Learning team for showcasing Professor Hobbs’ work!

For more information on our programs in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood education visit: https://tinyurl.com/tpteiec

Video series credited to Melody Hobbs.

earlychildhoodeducation earlychildhoodteaching teachereducationprogram teacherlife

10/07/2026

10/05/2026

So proud of such outstanding teachers! Congratulations!

10/01/2026

TPTE IS HIRING!

The Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education is currently hiring qualified applicants!

Interested in jointing our team? Scan the QR code to learn more and submit your application today!

09/11/2026

The Tennessee School for the Deaf (TSD) partnered with Dr. Sharon Hill to apply for a grant from CURCI to begin the cataloging process of TSD historical items and artifacts. The grant application was approved in 2025-2026 and successfully renewed for 2026-2027. There are an extensive number of artifacts reflecting the historical education and training methods used at TSD. There is also a unique section of artifacts that are largely non-existent in historical records, and these belong to the segregated school for the deaf. This collaboration will allow for expertise from Dr. Sharon Hill of UT Deaf Studies and key staff in TSD to support the creation of an online catalogue and database as well as beginning preservation efforts. This will serve the extensive TSD alumni community and the state of Tennessee history archives.

09/03/2026

Congratulations to all of these outstanding teachers! We can't wait!

Let's celebrate Top Teachers on Rocky Top!

Join the Division of Enrollment Management and for a panel discussion with the 2026 Tennessee Department of Education Teacher of the Year winners.

Panelists include:
🍎 Dr. Brandi De La Cruz, Collierville High School, Math Teacher – 2025-26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year
📚 Ashley Mosley, Jasper Elementary School, Kindergarten Teacher – East Tennessee Grand Division Winner
✏️ Ginger Colvett, Poplar Grove Elementary School, Fourth Grade Teacher – Middle Tennessee Grand Division Winner
📓 Caitlin Tucker, Sharon School, Speech-Language Pathologist – West Tennessee Grand Division Winner

The details:
📆 Friday, September 18
📍 Mary Greer Room, Hodges Library
⏰ The event begins at 2:30 p.m. with light refreshments starting at 2.

All are welcome to attend! bit.ly/4cRV5MM

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University of Tennessee, Knoxville UTK Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science University of Tennessee Theory and Practice in Teacher Education UTHSC Audiology and Speech Pathology