University of Tennessee Theory and Practice in Teacher Education

05/27/2026

Congratulations students and congratulations to our very own Emily Holtz!

Congratulations to the incredible students at Alcoa Intermediate School for winning the state-level competition of the Presidential AI Challenge with their “Homework Helper” project, proving innovation has no age limit! 🚀

A special shoutout to Emily Holtz, assistant professor in University of Tennessee Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, for helping support and mentor these future AI leaders through AI Tennessee and statewide partnerships. Opportunities like this are opening doors for students to explore technology, creativity, and problem-solving in powerful new ways.

Best of luck to these students as they head to Washington D.C. for the national competition in June!

Watch WBIR Channel 10's full feature: bit.ly/4dTugYy

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University of Tennessee, Knoxville

05/27/2026

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Congratulations to TPTE graduate Victoria and to all of these fantastic graduates!

05/21/2026

Join us for a great Math course this summer! Fully Online!

Math teachers!

Looking for a FULLY ONLINE course this summer? We have the course for you!

🧮 MEDU 550: Mathematics Assessment in the 6-12 Math Classroom

📅 Full Summer Session
🕔 Wed 5:00pm to 8:00pm
📍 Fully Online
⏳ 3 credit hours

This summer course is designed for math teachers in grades 6-12. It bridges theory and practice—building your confidence to design, deliver, and interpret assessments that truly measure mathematical thinking. From daily formative checks to competency-based portfolios, teachers will build a toolkit for today's classroom

By the end of the course you will be ready to:

• Design rigorous, equitable assessments aligned to standards
• Use AI tools responsibly to generate, critique, and improve assessment items
• Leverage digital platforms to deliver tests, track data, and personalize feedback
• Implement competency-based assessment structures that honor student growth
• Analyze student data to inform instruction and close learning gaps

Modules include:
Module 1: Competency-Based Assessment
Module 2: AI in Assessment Design
Module 3: Online Testing Platforms
Module 4: Writing Better MCQs

For more info:
Contact Rhea Carmon, Instructor - [email protected]

UTK College of Education, Health & Human Sciences

Flyer shows text regarding the Summer 2026 MEDU 550 course on mathematics assessment in the 6-12 math classroom. The background is beige with lines up and down the flyer representing a math notebook. There are triangles, circles and rectangles in different colors representing geometry. There is an orange graphic in the center of the flyer that is a paper with math equations on it and a pencil. There are black arrows in various shapes and directions pointing to text information about the course. The text is in smokey gray and UT orange and the TPTE logo is in the lower right-hand corner.

05/18/2026

Exams are over, Commencement has commenced, and summer is finally here ☀️

Whether you’re taking a course, taking on a summer job or internship, or just taking it easy, we hope this summer treats you well.

Be sure to check back in with us for updates and news throughout the next couple of months! We’ll still be here! 🧡

05/15/2026

Congratulations to our 5th year professional internship students on their successful poster presentations at their research symposium last week! Your hard work and research have been a great success!

Our 5th year professional internship students may complete graduate credit hours and a professional internship year (their 5th year), resulting in both a bachelor’s and master’s degree upon graduation. The symposium allows our students to present their research to the university community.

For more information on our pathways to teaching and educational research, visit: https://cehhs.utk.edu/tpte/



Photos show the University of Tennessee Dept of Theory & Practice in Teacher Education 5th year professional internships, including students standing in front of the Claxton Education Building and students showing their research posters to research symposium attendees.

05/14/2026

Congratulations to TPTE professor Kai Zhuang Shum, Assistant Professor, School Psychology, on receiving an American Psychological Association 2026 Outstanding Early Career Service Award! 🏆

The Outstanding Early Career Service Award is awarded to professional and academic school psychologists, up to 6 years post-graduation, who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the field of school psychology through programs of service that merits special recognition.

We are so proud of Dr Shum!

American Psychological Association

Graphic shows headshots of Kai Zhuang Shum, APA awardee and TPTE professor. The graphic is highlighting the awardee and has a background of UT orange and beige with the TPTE logo is in the lower left-hand corner. There is a white square below the photos providing the awardee’s name and the name of the award. This square graphic sits on a blue and white background.

05/14/2026

Congratulations to all of our fantastic graduates! You did it🎓!

It’s commencement time in Tennessee! 🎓🎉

For livestream links, schedule, ceremony information and more details, visit commencement.utk.edu.

We want to see your celebrations! Use to share your graduation photos and family celebrations.

05/13/2026

Congratulations to TPTE professors Robyn Brookshire, Clinical Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood education and Janine Al-Aseer, Director of University-Assisted Community Schools and Clinical Assistant Professor, on receiving University of Tennessee Alumni Awards! 🏆

Professor Brookshire received the 2026 UTAA Outstanding Teacher Award! This award recognizes excellence in the classroom, which is part of the Alumni Association’s continuing effort to encourage resourceful and creative instruction and to publicly recognize exceptional teaching, especially the teaching of undergraduates. Alumni Outstanding Teacher awards are given to faculty members, selected by their colleagues and students as the outstanding teachers in an academic year.
Professor Al-Aseer received the UTAA Public Service Award! The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals for outstanding achievement in public service and through this recognition, to stimulate the growth and development of the University’s public service role.

We are so proud of Drs Brookshire and Al-Aseer!

UTK College of Education, Health & Human Sciences

Graphic shows headshots of Robyn Brookshire and Janine Al-Aseer, TPTE UT Alumni Association awardees. There are 2 individual graphics highlighting each awardee and these graphics have background of UT orange and beige with the TPTE logo is in the lower left-hand corner. There is a white square below the photos providing the awardees’ names and the name of their award. These 2 square graphics sit on a blue and white background.