KNOXVILLE — Craig Green has been named the new director of school for the Tennessee Governor’s Academy for Mathematics and Science (TGA), which begins its second year of operation this week.
Administered by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the academy opens the 2008-09 school year with 40 students in their junior and senior years of high school. Students hail from 31 different counties and were chosen for TGA because of their demonstrated commitment to mathematics and science, said Green.
“The students who are part of TGA have shown that they have a passion for mathematics and science, as well as a level of curiosity that set them apart from their peers,” he said.
TGA was founded by Gov. Phil Bredesen to help enhance Tennessee’s ability to provide world-class education in math and science in an environment that will expose students to hands-on research as early as possible.
Green came to TGA after more than 25 years as a math and science teacher at Copper Basin High School in Polk County, Tenn. He earned his doctorate at UT Knoxville, along with an Ed.S. degree from Lincoln Memorial University, a master’s degree from Tusculum College and a bachelor’s degree from UT Knoxville.
“It is exciting to help lead a learning community with such a committed group of faculty and staff,” said Green, who served as an administrative coordinator last year for TGA.
This year marks the academy’s first with a full complement of students in both the junior and senior class. Students live in four academic houses on the campus of the Tennessee School for the Deaf.
TGA students take part in a wide variety of hands-on experiences throughout the course of the year. Students will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists on research projects, and will take a trip to China in the spring.
In addition to Green, a number of new faculty and staff join TGA this year:
-Deirdre Anderson-White will serve as a member of the housing staff. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and her master’s from Mississippi State University.
-Patricia Brake will serve as teacher of U.S. history and government and economics. She earned her bachelor’s and doctorate from UT Knoxville, along with a master’s from Andrews University.
-Melvin Buchanan will serve as a member of the housing staff. He earned a bachelor’s degree from UT Knoxville.
-Sarah Clapp-Gilpin will serve as school counselor. A nationally certified counselor, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UT Knoxville.
-Elton Freeman will serve as a graduate assistant in physics and serve as a member of the housing staff. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of West Georgia.
-Jennifer Hodges will serve as a member of the housing staff. She earned a bachelor’s degree from UT Knoxville.
-Tyler Irvine will serve as a member of the housing staff. He is a graduate of Mount Juliet Christian Academy.
-Scott Mathews will serve as head of facilities and housing. He earned a graduate equivalency diploma and previously worked with UT Telephone Services.
-Jeff Sweeney will serve as graduate assistant in the Counseling Office. He earned his bachelor’s from Tennessee Wesleyan College and his master’s from UT Knoxville.
-Christine Thorson will serve as a member of the housing staff. She earned her master’s from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
-Kip Thorson will serve as a member of the housing staff. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
More information on TGA can be found at http://tga.utk.edu.
—
Contact:
Jay Mayfield (865-974-9409, jay.mayfield@tennessee.edu)