{"id":24447,"date":"2025-02-05T22:12:38","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T22:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tpte.flywheelsites.com\/?page_id=24447"},"modified":"2026-01-12T11:56:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T16:56:47","slug":"about-tpte","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/about-tpte\/","title":{"rendered":"About TPTE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group fw_orange--banner is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull banner__img is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"981\" src=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-about.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-about.webp 2000w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-about-300x147.webp 300w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-about-1024x502.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-about-768x377.webp 768w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-about-1536x753.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide banner_content is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><em>ABOUT<\/em><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">TPTE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We are dedicated to promoting equity and shaping the future through education. Our mission is to make a lasting impact on communities, parents, students, and educators through research, engaged scholarship, and innovative practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#programs\">About Our Programs<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained p-0 m-0 is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns imgWithTxt wp-block-cover__inner-container pb-0 mb-0 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center fc-3 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full wp-block-image-shadow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-building.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-building.webp 1500w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-building-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-building-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-building-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-building-600x400.webp 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1058\" src=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/about-tpte-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/about-tpte-2.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/about-tpte-2-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/about-tpte-2-1024x722.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/about-tpte-2-768x542.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center fc-3 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading text-uppercase has-smokey-color has-text-color\">Advancing equity through excellence in education and beyond.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With over 80 expert faculty members and 45 talented graduate assistants, we bring together diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise to address the most complex and enduring challenges in education and beyond. Our work spans a wide range of fields, including teacher education, language and literacy, deaf studies, special education, school and educational psychology, audiology and speech pathology, interdisciplinary early childhood education, STEM education, educational data science, and learning design and technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe that by working collaboratively, we can create meaningful change and inspire the next generation of learners and leaders. Whether you\u2019re a student, educator, or community member, we invite you to join us in this important work. Together, we can shape the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for visiting our website\u2014we\u2019re excited to connect with you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:2vw\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">View our Programs<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5vw\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"programs\" class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#57585a\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1250\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-24489\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/Library-Smokey_Patterns21.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/Library-Smokey_Patterns21.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/Library-Smokey_Patterns21-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/Library-Smokey_Patterns21-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/Library-Smokey_Patterns21-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/Library-Smokey_Patterns21-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/Library-Smokey_Patterns21-2048x1024.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns graduate-sec__row row-first is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns graduate-col__title is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>One Department. Three Units. Limitless Possibilities.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>TPTE recently revised its structure to make clear our rich array of program offerings and to better meet the needs of our students. This three-unit structure creates greater space for multidisciplinary collaboration. TPTE is now organized along three units:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns graduate-sec__row row-two is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column graduate-sec__col col-first has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card1.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card1.webp 1000w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card1-300x174.webp 300w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card1-768x445.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns graduate-col__inner is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column graduate-col__content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-smokey-color has-text-color\"><strong>Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching (ILT)<\/strong> <strong>in Early Childhood, Design &amp; Technology, and STEM<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-smokey-color has-text-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column graduate-sec__col col-second has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card2.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card2.webp 1000w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card2-300x174.webp 300w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card2-768x445.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns graduate-col__inner is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column graduate-col__content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-smokey-color has-text-color\"><strong>Language, Culture, &amp; Teacher Education<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-smokey-color has-text-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column graduate-sec__col col-third has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card3.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card3.webp 1000w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card3-300x174.webp 300w, https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/02\/tpte-card3-768x445.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns graduate-col__inner is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column graduate-col__content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-smokey-color has-text-color\"><strong>Special Education &amp; Applied Learning Sciences (SEALS)<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-smokey-color has-text-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advancing equity through excellence in education and beyond.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of the three units is led by a Unit Lead and consists of an average of 20 faculty members across several complementary degree programs and centers that serve our students and communities on a firsthand level. Our teacher licensing programs span all three units with advising support for prospective students from the <a href=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/cehhsadvising\/\">College advising and licensing team<\/a>. Elementary education, cultural studies, and most of our middle school\/secondary teacher education programs are included as part of <strong>the Language, Culture, and Teacher Education <\/strong>Unit. Early childhood programs, STEM education, and Learning, Design, and Technology programs are part of the <strong>Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching (ILT) <\/strong>Unit, allowing partnerships that integrate STEM learning and learning design across the lifespan. The <strong>Special Education &amp; Applied Learning Sciences (SEALS) <\/strong>Unit encourages a multi-faceted, collaborative pathway within the expanding fields of special education, school psychology, and educational psychology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This department organization provides a platform for programs to thrive and to focus our work on students and communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:39px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group org--stripe is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-868\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/utchildtheme.flywheelsites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/or_bg.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns cta-content is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ready to Learn More?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to join us on Rocky Top? Search all of our available programs by clicking below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Search our Programs<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ABOUT TPTE We are dedicated to promoting equity and shaping the future through education. Our mission is to make a lasting impact on communities, parents, students, and educators through research, engaged scholarship, and innovative practices. Advancing equity through excellence in education and beyond. With over 80 expert faculty members and 45 talented graduate assistants, we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","_genesis_hide_title":true,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":true,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-24447","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24447"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24447\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/rhtm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}