Faculty Directory

Rhett J. Hutchins

Rhett J. Hutchins

Associate Teaching Professor

Program Coordinator

(EDUC)-Education

(CIED)-Curriculum and Instruction

Phone: 479-575-5561

Fax: (479) 575-6671

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I am currently the program coordinator for educational studies at the University of Arkansas where I oversee program administration and serve as the primary program instructor. Educational studies is an education major that stresses the role of education in a society as the unifying force between traditional social institutions. The educational studies program is the premier education, non-licensure, program in the state of Arkansas. Approximately 50% of program graduates eventually go on to complete their initial state licesure certification.

Service towards the University of Arkansas includes serving on the University ROTC Program Committee, Univeristy Curriculum & Programs Committee, NTT Faculty Committee, COEHP Curriculum & Programs Committee, and as Technology Director for the University of Arkansas Clinic for Literacy. I also serve as faculty mentor for the Razorback Baseball team and assist the teams student-athlete academic advisor with academic support when called upon..

In my pre-pandemic free time I could be found enjoying baseball games at Baum-Walker Stadium or at one of Fayetteville's local coffee shops grading, reading, or editing photos.  My pandemic entertainment specialties include walking the trails of Fayetteville, binge watching Netflix/Hulu, and even more reading. 

Research Interests

  • Religious Education & Religion in Public and Private School Settings
  • History of Educational Practices
  • Disciplinary Literacy in Science Education
  • Religious Literacies in Society
  • Pop Culture Influences in Education

Teaching Interests

  • History of Education
  • Case Law for Educators
  • Educational Philosophy
  • Children's & Young Adult Literature
  • Religious Education

Courses

EDST 2003 - Introducation to Educational Studies [teach/designed]

EDST 3003 - Formative Readings in Cultural Education [teach/designed]

EDST 3113 - Legal Developments in Education [teach/designed]

EDST 3223 - American Educational History [teach/designed]

EDST 3333 - Children's & Young Adults Literature in Educational Settings [teach/designed]

EDST 3913 - Formal Classroom Based Internship in Education [supervise/designed]

EDST 3923 - Informal Based Intership in Education [supervise/designed]

EDST 399V - Special Topics - Education through Space and Time: A Study in Doctor Who and Education [teach/designed]

EDST 399V - Special Topics - The Sequels to Children's & Young Adult Literature [teach/designed]

EDST 4003/H - Philosophy and Inquiry in Education [teach/designed]

EDST 4113 - Teaching and Funding Outdoor and Informal Education [intial design]

EDST 4213 - Religion, Education, & Religious Education [teach/designed]

EDST 4913 - Capstone & Final Internship in Education [teach/designed]

CIED 498VH - Honors Thesis/Project in Curriculum and Instruction

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Georgia, Language & Literacy Education, 2014
  • Graudate Certificate for Interdiscipiliary Quatlitative Studies, Univeristy of Georgia, 2014
  • M.Ed., Clemson University, Natural Science Education, 2009
  • B.S., Clemson University, Science Teaching, 2005
  • B.S., Clemson University, Biological Sciences, 2003

Publications

Publications

  • Alvermann, D., Hutchins, R., & DeBlasio, R. (2012). Adolescents’ engagement with Web 2.0 and social media: Research, theory, and practice.  Research in the Schools, 19(1), 33-44.
  • Hutchins, R. (2012). Forms of capital, modern communication, & Gossip Girls: The potential for engaging reluctant reading students through popular culture. READ: Reading,Exploration, and Discovery, 31(1), 41-46.

Presentations

  • Hutchins, R., Massara, S., & Weingartner, L.. (2018, September). Why Teahcer-Educators Need Religious Litearcy Instruction. Annual meeting fo the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators, Searcy, AR.
  • Alvermann, D., Whitley, J., Collins, A., Daniels, J., Edwards, N., Friese, E., Hutchins, R., Marsh, J., & Rush, L.. (2017, December). A Longitudinal Critical Inquiry into Adult Literacy Tutoring Programs in Public Libraries. Annual Meeting of the Literacy Research Association, Tampa, FL.

  • Hutchins, R. (2017, October). Using Literature to Bridge Misunderstandings Between Science and Religion in the Secondary Classroom. Annual meeting for the International STEM Education Association, Branson, MO.

  • Hutchins, R. & Wise, J. (2017, October). Educational Studies: Not All Education Undergraduate Programs Should Focus on Producing Classroom Teachers. Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators, Rogers, AR, October.

  • Hutchins, R. & Lorah, E. (2016, September). Educational Studies: The Need for Non-Licensure Education Programs.  Annual meeting of the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators, Russellville, AR.

  • Hutchins, R. (2016, July). Save Our Schools: On the March to Save and transform Public Schools. Hosted by the Save Our Schools Coalition, Washington, DC.

  • Hutchins, R. (2014, September). Educational Studies: Internship Opportunities for Your Educational or Non-Profit Agency. Annual meeting of the Arkansas Environmental Educators, Huntsville, AR.

  • Hutchins, R., & Alvermann, D. (2011, November). A Move from Digital Literacies to “Turn-Around” Pedagogies. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Literacy Education and Researchers in Richmond, VA.

  • Hutchins, R. (2011, November). Making Authentic LGBTQ Characters Available in Youth &Adolescent Literature. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers in Richmond, VA.

Experience

Univeristy of Arkansas - Associate Professor - Teaching and Program Coordinator, Educational Studies, 2020 - present.

University of Arkansas - Clincal Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Educational Studies, 2014-2019.

University of Georgia - Laboratory Instructor, Marine & Aquatic Research Science, 2014.

Athens Academy - Academic Support, 2009-2014

University of Georgia - Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Reading Clinic Assistant and Instructor, 2009-2013

Greenwood High School & Northside Middle School - Science teacher, 2008-2009

Pickens High School - Science teacher, soccer coach, 2006-2008

Stratford High School - Science teacher, 2005-2006

Honors & Awards

2015-16 - Outstanding Advising Award, Department of Curriculum of Instruction

2016-17 - Nominated, Outstanding Advising Award, College of Education and Health Professions

                Nominated, Outstanding Advising Award, University of Arkansas

2017-18 - Nominated, Outstanding Advising Award, Colege of Education and Healh Professions