Before joining Tennessee Tech University‘s College of Education & Human Sciences as an Assistant Professor, Daniel Upchurch spent over 10 years in various roles in academia. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, he would go on to graduate and serve as an undergraduate advisor and adjunct instructor at a historically black university in his home state. A PhD followed, before he heeded the calling to support schools with the greatest need.
“Now, through my work at Tennessee Tech University, I have the rewarding opportunity to train and mentor future school psychologists who will make a meaningful impact in their communities,” he says.
The college offers nationally accredited programmes that emphasise clinically rich, evidence-based experiences – the kind that nurture students into future values-driven educators like Upchurch.
As graduates, they make an immediate impact in schools, communities, and wellness settings. Their Tennessee Tech credentials are obvious – thanks to their versatility and readiness to lead in education, administration, psychology, and allied health.
Departments making a difference
The college is home to three departments. Upchurch is part of the Counselling and Psychology department, where students gain a solid understanding of scientific methods, psychometrics, research design, and data presentation. To support this, the department offers comprehensive coursework in research, theory, and statistics that equip students to interpret, apply, and communicate data effectively and ethically, ensuring their work meets professional and scientific standards.
All of this is paired with hands-on experiences, such as fieldwork, practicum hours, and internships. “Specifically, in the School Psychology programme, students complete 100 hours of practicum experience followed by 1,200 hours of internship work,” he says.
Sometimes, that includes working with colleagues from various disciplines.
Upchurch’s programme depends heavily on both special and general education teachers, making interdisciplinary teamwork essential. “I also emphasise to my students the importance of using a biopsychosocial-cultural approach, one that considers the whole person rather than focusing on a single area,” he says.
That might mean collaborating with faculty members like Dr. Dorota Silber-Furman, Assistant Professor at the Curriculum and Instruction department.
The College of Education & Human Sciences curricula blend research with real-world practice. Source: Tennessee Tech University
Her courses focus on the integration of concepts fundamental to meeting the needs of students with diverse backgrounds. “Such diversity may manifest in a number of ways; particular focus, however, is given to language and cultural diversity in Second or Other Language populations as well as in populations often viewed as being outside the Standard English mainstream,” she says.
“Our programme prepares educators to teach inclusively and adaptively by integrating diversity, theory, and technology into every course. Students engage with culturally responsive teaching, differentiated instruction, and digital tools that support accessibility and engagement.”
You will also learn to build relationships with your potential students, which, according to Silber-Furman, is the core of effective teaching. “In my courses, I make sure to expose the learners to a plethora of collegial experiences,” she says. “Students practise communication and teamwork skills by working with peers on classroom and community projects. We also explore the best ways of engaging with families, which is especially important while working with multilingual learners.”
Over at the Exercise Science department, the focus is on wellness education at all levels. It offers programmes that focus on enhancing quality of life and healthy engagement through participation in physical activities, sport, and related healthcare services.
What makes this department stand out is its inclusion of activity course electives. It is more fun and energising than a standard classroom course. Here, you can include sports games like tennis, kayaking, and golf, or outdoor adventures like canoe camping, scuba and skin diving, and basic caving, as your elective.
All departments adopt a collaborative model that involves working closely with students from various disciplines. Source: Tennessee Tech University
Centres for change
The college is home to several state-of-the-art centres. The Millard Oakley STEM Centre runs interactive activities that can be implemented in your future math and science classes or field trips. During these trips, you will work with a STEM team instructor to facilitate the learning environment off campus. The Child Development Lab is another facility specifically for early childhood majors. Here, you will learn how to teach children through play-based, age-appropriate activities.
Such settings are important to galvanise future educators to see the full power of their field. “Students in our programme explore innovative teaching and assessment methods such as project-based learning, formative and summative assessment, plethora of digital tools and platforms, as well as authentic assessments that reflect real-world applications of knowledge,” says Dr. Silber-Furman.
She is excited about what’s in store for the next generation of educators from Tennessee. “They are entering the field at a transformative time and bring fresh perspectives on inclusion, technology, and importance of student identity,” says Dr. Silber-Furman. “They recognise the value of each and every learner and know that they are there to serve students and teach them to the full potential.”
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