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Theresa Hopkins, PhD

Co-Coordinator of VolsTeach and Clinical Associate Professor, VolsTeach, STEM Education/Math

Biography

Theresa Hopkins is a clinical associate professor of mathematics education and co-ordinator of VolsTeach.  

Since her earliest years, Theresa has been excited about and drawn to teaching. Her parents instilled a love for learning and several of her teachers during middle school and high school cemented her decision to pursue a career in teaching. She earned a BS in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee and taught for twelve years in southern middle Tennessee at a junior high school and high school, teaching mathematics courses from 8th grade mathematics through precalculus. She began to work on an advanced degree at Middle Tennessee State University when life brought her back to Knoxville. It was at the University of Tennessee, while working to complete her master’s degree, that Theresa made the decision to move from teaching mathematics to preparing future math teachers. She earned her PhD from the University of Tennessee, and began working as a post-doctoral fellow and the University of Tennessee in 2004, then later was hired as a clinical faculty member.

Currently, Professor Hopkins is interested in how to scaffold field placements for students entering the teaching field, how students transfer knowledge about teaching to their planning, and instruction, how teachers can ensure their students are engaged and thinking about mathematics, elementary school teachers’ understanding of place value, and how to support new teachers. She works primarily within the VolsTeach program, preparing future science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers. She teaches courses as well as supervises field placements, from their first classes through their apprentice teaching semester. Theresa has been an active member in several professional organizations, including serving on an National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) regional conference committee,  a founding board member of USEA, and a conference committee member for Association of Public and Land-grant University’s (APLU) Science and Mathematics Teaching Imperative (SMTI) group. Additionally, she oversees the VolsTeach induction program.

 

Professional Background


Education

 

 

Terri Hopkins headshot

Contact Information

  • 113 Greve Hall, 821 Volunteer Boulevard, KnoxvilleTN 37996-3391
  • Phone: 865-974-3544
  • E-mail: thopkins@utk.edu