{"id":30968,"date":"2024-08-16T13:00:15","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T17:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/online\/?page_id=30968"},"modified":"2025-08-14T14:23:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T18:23:17","slug":"student-spotlight-teresa-kennedy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/online\/student-spotlight-teresa-kennedy\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Spotlight: Teresa Kennedy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Teresa Kennedy, Ph.D.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Student Spotlight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Master of Oceanography<\/h3>\n\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n
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Teresa Kennedy, Ph.D.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alumna, URI Online<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Professor of International STEM and Bilingual\/ELL Education
University of Texas at Tyler<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Kennedy is a Professor of International STEM and Bilingual\/ELL Education (2009 – present) with a joint appointment in the College of Education and Psychology\u2019s School of Education and in the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Tyler. She holds a master\u2019s degree in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island and a Ph.D. in STEM Education (curriculum and instruction) from the University of Idaho, where she also earned a Masters in Spanish along with two undergraduate degrees. Dr. Kennedy has participated in two NOAA research cruises (2024; 2001) and conducted freefall lifeboat tests at Verhoef Aluminum Scheepsbouw Industries in the Netherlands (2013). With over 35 years of experience in higher education, she currently teaches oceanography and education courses to undergraduate students, and education courses to master\u2019s and doctoral level students. Her PreK\u201312 teaching experience includes eight years at the secondary level and seven years at the primary\/middle school levels in the U.S. states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My experience with the program was transformative on so many levels\u2014personally, academically, and professionally. Through my directed study with Dr. Spivak, I collaborated with members of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, resulting in a manual that is part of the Ocean Decade publication series<\/a><\/strong>. The support I received from Dr. Menden-Deuer and Dr. Spivak was incredible, leading me to opportunities I never imagined, like spending 52 days at sea with GO-SHIP A13.5<\/a><\/strong>. The hands-on experiences in Biological and Geological Oceanography courses deepened my understanding and confirmed my passion for oceanography. I also had the opportunity to publish a paper\u2014Advancing Ocean Sustainability for Climate-Resilient Change<\/a>\u2014<\/strong>that I began in Dr. Heather McNair\u2019s graduate writing course in marine and environmental sciences. The asynchronous online format was perfect, allowing me to continue my coursework while at sea, with unwavering support from the faculty. This program truly solidified my path in the field.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teresa’s Program Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n
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52 Days at Sea on GO-SHIP A13.5<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to Dr. Art Spivack and Dr. Susan Menden-Deuer for their encouragement and support! Dr. Loes van Dam was also extremely supportive as I was working on her class from the ship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special Note: <\/strong>Biological Oceanography and Geological Oceanography were my two favorite courses as both included many hands-on activities that provided practical experience and deepened my understanding of marine and geological processes.These courses sealed the deal for me and confirmed that the field of oceanography is where I truly belong!<\/p>\n\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n

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A13.5: February-March 2024<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n