Lynn Hodge, department head of the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences was recently awarded the STEM Advocate Award from the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN). One of the “STEM Excellence Awards,” this series of competitive awards recognizes the outstanding teachers, leaders, and advocates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The Tennessee STEM Advocate Award recognizes a Tennessean who has demonstrated a passion for STEM education through his or her public advocacy and participation in leadership organizations that advance STEM for all.
Lynn Hodge is a professor of math education, the director of the East Tennessee STEM Hub, director of the Center for Enhancing Education in Mathematics and Sciences, and director of STEM education programs with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education where she was recently named department head to begin on August 1. As a STEM advocate, Hodge is passionate about supporting undergraduate students with a math, science, or engineering major who are interested in teaching by co-directing the VolsTeach program.The East Tennessee STEM Hub impacts countless students providing outreach to students through community events and at home STEM activities and support to educators with a lending library, direct connections with “real world” STEM applications or professionals, and innovative, high–quality professional development. Through her advocacy, she has expanded the reach of the Hub to rural areas and under–represented groups in STEM including Girl’s STEM Clubs. As a woman of color in the STEM fields, Hodge recognizes the importance of STEM for All and works tirelessly to increase access to quality STEM education for all students.
Hodge holds many degrees including a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a MS in Secondary Education and Doctorate in Education and Human Development/Mathematics Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. “When I think about the advancement of STEM education, I cannot help but think of Dr. Hodge,” said Katie McKee, an educator at Midway Middle School. “Dr. Hodge’s goals in STEM education are two parts. First, her goal is to provide relevant STEM PD to teachers in all of East. Besides the wide-scope of STEM education, she has been focusing on how teachers can implement the Computer Science Standards into their classroom disciplines. Second, her goal is to provide students in the University of Tennessee’s education department with how to realistic implementation of STEM activities into their classroom and schools.”