Lori Caudle

PreK-K Coordinator

In 2003, I completed my Bachelor’s degree from the Child and Family Studies Department at UT and received my Master’s degree the following year in conjunction with my certification to teach Pre-K-4th grade in the state of Tennessee. During my graduate internship, I developed a desire to continue my academic work and entered the Ph.D. program in the Child and Family Studies Department at UT. To gain some more early childhood teaching experience, I took one year off my doctoral work and taught 2nd grade at Farragut Primary. I returned to graduate school with even more passion to contribute to the field of early childhood education through research and practice.

In 2007, I was given the opportunity to help develop and coordinate a new PreK-K teacher licensure program in the Child and Family Studies Department. This undergraduate program provides students with an opportunity to receive an Early Development and Learning (PreK-K) teaching license to teach children with and without disabilities. Currently, as the PreK-K Coordinator, I supervise Child and Family Studies undergraduate students, also known as preservice teachers, in their practicum and student teaching placements, teach related courses, and work closely with classroom mentoring teachers and other professionals in the field that contribute to the education of the PreK-K students.

In the spring of 2009, I completed my Ph.D. courses and a short time later began my dissertation work. My dissertation focuses on the evolution of a community of practice aimed at enhancing pre-K mentors’ understandings of mentorship and the ways in which they educate their mentees (preservice teachers). As a program coordinator, I am fortunate enough to observe the incredible impact mentors have on the development of early childhood preservice teachers. Further, as a coordinator, I am able to provide both mentors and preservice teachers with ongoing support and I continually learn through our meaningful collaborations. My other research interests include the impact beliefs have on teacher practice, how inquiry supports the professional development of preservice teachers, and the role technology plays in enhancing preservice teachers’ knowledge acquisition. 

Contact Information

1215 W. Cumberland Ave
238 Jessie Harris Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-1912

Email: lcaudle@utk.edu

Contact the Department of Child and Family Studies

1215 W. Cumberland Avenue
115 Jessie Harris Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-1912

Phone: 865-974-5316
Fax: 865-974-2742