Written by Kristin Rearden, clinical professor of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) / science education
Every year a faculty member is honored with the Frank W. Harvey Professorship. In 1998, the Frank W. Harvey Professorship Endowment was established in what was then the College of Education by the Harvey family. Mr. Harvey was a long-time supporter of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), and served on the UTK development council under presidents Ed Boling and Joe Johnson.
The department is grateful to the Harvey family for their continued support of teacher education.
2021-2022
Mari Beth Coleman, associate professor of special education, is the recipient of the 2021-2022 Harvey Professorship. In describing the impact of this award on her work in teacher education, Professor Coleman said, ” The Harvey Professorship helped support my professional development and teaching goals in a couple of ways. The money helped me travel to the Council for Exceptional Children conference where I was able to attend sessions, conduct the showcase session for the Complex and Chronic Conditions Division, and present research along with two of our former interning teachers. The money also helped me purchase a subscription for assistive technology software that I was able to use to create low-tech augmentative communication boards and other instructional materials for use in my classes that prepare teachers to work with students who have physical disabilities and complex communication needs.”
2020-2021
Stewart Waters, associate professor of social science education, is the recipient of the 2020-2021 Harvey Professorship.
2019 – 2020
Judson Laughter, associate professor of English education, was the recipient of the 2019-2020 Harvey Professorship. In describing the impact of this award on his work in teacher education, Professor Laughter said, “The Harvey Professorship allowed me to accomplish several professional goals. I was able to provide some necessary equipment to our interns as they pivoted to online learning environments. I was also able to develop my own leadership skills through an extensive professional development program; this opportunity will assist in continued growth and effectiveness with my engaged teacher preparation team.”
2018 – 2019
Lynn Hodge, department head; professor of math education; and director of the Center for Enhancing Education in Mathematics and Sciences, was the recipient of the Harvey Professorship in 2018-19. In describing the impact of this award on her work in teacher education, she noted that the funding provided unique opportunities to enhance her scholarship and teaching. “I was able to attend two of the preeminent educational research conferences in my field,” stated Hodge. These international conferences were the meetings of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education at University of Umea in Sweden and the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
While at the conferences, Hodge received valuable feedback from participants on her data visualization research. She also learned more about ways to support secondary math and science teacher candidates in their professional development. “I attended sessions that offered ways to make math and science more meaningful for students, and also met with other educators about effective ways to teach mathematics,” stated Hodge.
These transformative experiences have impacted Hodge’s work with her current National Science Foundation project, which is designed to increase the number of exceptional math and science teachers in East Tennessee. “My learning through the conferences has brought new knowledge to this project and addressing the teacher shortages in Tennessee,” reflected Hodge. With the support of the Harvey Award funds for her international conference participation, Hodge will make a positive impact on the caliber of newly certified secondary math and science teachers right here in East Tennessee.
2017-2018
Susan Groenke, professor of English education; and director of the Center for Children’s and Adult Literature, was the recipient of the 2017-2018 Harvey Professorship. The Harvey funds were used to support conference travel.