22194 Views (as of 05/2023)
  1. Lynn Hodge
  2. https://tpte.utk.edu/people/lynn-hodge-phd/
  3. VolsTeach for Appalachia
  4. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  5. University of Tennessee - Knoxville
  1. Nick Kim
  2. Graduate Teaching Associate
  3. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  4. University of Tennessee - Knoxville
  1. Ellen Matheny
  2. Assistant Professor
  3. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  4. Pellissippi State

VolsTeach for Appalachia

NSF Awards: 1758325

2019 (see original presentation & discussion)

Grades K-6, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Undergraduate

Our video presentation highlights the need that brought about the VolsTeach for Appalachia project: The shortage of math and science teachers in East Tennessee. The overarching goal of this NSF-funded project is to support community college students, through unique experiences, in becoming outstanding STEM teachers in rural East Tennessee schools. We share the key features of the project from a K-12 student's point of view. These key features include recruitment through internships and courses that introduce STEM teaching early on and teacher preparation that focuses on K-12 students (who they are and who they would like to be), math and science content, and the characteristics and interests of our East Tennessee communities. Thank you for checking out our presentation. 

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Discussion from the 2019 STEM for All Video Showcase (12 posts)
  • Icon for: Lynn Hodge

    Lynn Hodge

    Lead Presenter
    VolsTeach for Appalachia
    May 13, 2019 | 07:29 a.m.

    Hello all and welcome to our presentation! 

    I am Lynn Hodge from the University of Tennessee, and I am the PI on the project, VolsTeach for Appalachia. Our project is in its first year, and we are looking forward to the work to come. We are now finalizing plans for the Summer STEM teaching internships that will take place this June. We have selected our cohort of diverse and committed interns and designed innovative STEM challenges. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions as this showcase begins! All the best,

    Lynn

  • Icon for: Sondra LoRe

    Sondra LoRe

    Evaluation, Ed. Research, Instructor
    May 13, 2019 | 11:03 a.m.

    This is a fantastic project!  Looking forward to meeting the wonderful interns this summer! 

    Sondra 

    Sondra M. LoRe EdS

    Evaluation Manager

    National Institute for STEM Evaluation and Research (NISER)

    sondra@utk.edu

     
    1
    Discussion is closed. Upvoting is no longer available

    Lynn Hodge
  • Icon for: William Swift

    William Swift

    Coordinating Producer. PBS NewsHour STEM and Health Student Reporting Labs
    May 13, 2019 | 11:03 a.m.

    Hi Lynn,

    Seems like a great project, how do you monitor the success/progress the new teachers are having and reinforce those programs that are working well, versus those that aren't connecting?

    Bill Swift

  • Icon for: Teruni Lamberg

    Teruni Lamberg

    Researcher
    May 13, 2019 | 01:36 p.m.

    Lynn, 

     

    Love the video and looks like a great project. What are some thing that you learned from doing this work that can be beneficial to other projects?

  • Icon for: Lynn Hodge

    Lynn Hodge

    Lead Presenter
    VolsTeach for Appalachia
    May 13, 2019 | 02:16 p.m.

    Hi Bill, we are in our first year so the scholars are not teaching in classrooms yet. However, based on our learning and our plans, we will monitor progress based on classroom observations using a framework that focuses on inquiry in math classrooms. In addition, we will have available to us data from the middle school and high school students who are in preservice teachers' classrooms. Finally, we will collect data from mentor teachers and the preservice teachers themselves. We will be looking at the preservice teachers' identities across the project, but this data will also inform adjustments. Thanks for your question!

    Hi Teruni, we are in the early days of this project, but based on projects that build the foundation for this one, one key aspect of our learning is about the importance of building a community with our school and higher ed partners. We learned about some concrete practices in supporting research-practice partnerships particularly in rural communities of East TN. Thanks!

  • Icon for: Rachel Garrett

    Rachel Garrett

    Facilitator
    Senior Researcher
    May 14, 2019 | 07:04 p.m.

    This looks like an exciting project! I'm curious what your experiences have been thus far recruiting for your program? I was just seeing a comment from another video about a preservice teacher preparation program where the contributor said recruitment was their biggest challenge due to low local interest in becoming a STEM educator.

    I'm also wondering about two things related to sustaining the work. First, as the PSTs commit to four years of teaching in a high needs school, are there supports available to them during that time? Second, and this may be too early to ask, but I'm wondering to what extent you think your model might one day be implemented/adapted elsewhere? 

  • Icon for: Lynn Hodge

    Lynn Hodge

    Lead Presenter
    VolsTeach for Appalachia
    May 16, 2019 | 07:26 a.m.

    Hi Rachel, so far we have only recruited for our internships - and currently - we have only one spot available. This spot will be officially filled in a couple of days. What we have noticed is that there is quite a bit of interest from high school students in participating in internships about STEM teaching. 

    We do have induction supports that includes regular cohort meetings and one-on-one conversations with our program coordinator.

    Thanks for your questions!

  • Icon for: Rachel Garrett

    Rachel Garrett

    Facilitator
    Senior Researcher
    May 16, 2019 | 03:03 p.m.

    Glad to hear recruitment has not been an issue for you! It's interesting that you are finding good luck identifying potential future teachers among HS students in particular. 

    Those sounds like robust induction supports for your graduates. Thank you again for sharing information about your program!

  • Icon for: Kristen Reed

    Kristen Reed

    Facilitator
    Senior Project Director
    May 14, 2019 | 08:50 p.m.

    Thank you for sharing this video about your project! I was wondering about your mentor teachers. Have you been able to recruit enough mentor teachers for all the interested students? I know being a mentor can mean a lto of additional work. Are there particular support mechanisms for your mentor teachers that you have found helpful? 

  • Icon for: Lynn Hodge

    Lynn Hodge

    Lead Presenter
    VolsTeach for Appalachia
    May 17, 2019 | 07:49 a.m.

    Hi Kristen, in our past work, we have found a cohort model for mentor teachers to be especially helpful. In addition, early and frequent engagement with scholars and project staff makes a difference as well.

    Mentor teachers are a central aspect of our work so we view supporting their learning - and providing opportunities through learning sessions about mentoring and leadership to be important.

    Thanks!

    Lynn

  • Icon for: Cynthia Callard

    Cynthia Callard

    Facilitator
    Executive Director/Professor
    May 14, 2019 | 10:11 p.m.

    I enjoyed learning about your project!  It seems to have strong potential for supporting the development of high quality math and science teachers for East Tennessee!  I was wondering if you could say more about some of the major components of your project?  You referred to an innovative recruitment plan, summer internships, enhanced coursework, academic supports, and out-of-classroom field experiences.  Could you say a little bit more about which of these components you think is the most innovative or unique, and why you felt it was important to include for supporting STEM teachers in Tennessee?  Thanks!

  • Icon for: Lynn Hodge

    Lynn Hodge

    Lead Presenter
    VolsTeach for Appalachia
    May 16, 2019 | 08:14 p.m.

    Hi Cynthia, great question! I think the most innovative aspect is how the project brings together community learning, content learning, and culturally responsive pedagogy. The scholars will work with students and families through outreach during the summer internship. They will also interact at the very beginning with mentor teachers during professional learning sessions about STEM. Coursework will include tasks that highlight the cultural aspects of teaching and learning. Concretely, this means that scholars participate in community walks, interviews, and school visits in order to design STEM activities for outreach events. Best, Lynn

  • Further posting is closed as the event has ended.