By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Johanna Yopp.
A gift from an alumna will enable UNCG to prepare more math and science teachers.
Alumna Johanna F. Yopp and her husband, James D. Yopp, of Winston-Salem are giving UNCG $350,000 to create the James D. and Johanna F. Yopp Distinguished Professorship in Mathematics Education or Science Education. The State of North Carolina is expected to match their gift with $167,000 from its Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund.
According to recent estimates, North Carolina needs 10,000 new teachers each year while the state’s public and private colleges turn out about 3,300. Math and science teachers are particularly difficult to recruit and retain because they can find higher paying jobs outside of teaching.
As UNC system President Erskine Bowles said in his inauguration address, the state’s universities graduated only three physics teachers in the last four years.
“We realize there is a strong need for teachers in the math and science fields,” Johanna Yopp said. “UNCG has really worked hard on this, as have most schools across the state. The distinguished professorship should help in recruiting faculty and more students.”
“The Yopp Distinguished Professorship in Mathematics Education or Science Education allows us to recruit an outstanding and highly qualified professional in the field,” said Dr. Dale Schunk, dean of the School of Education. “As the shortage of math and science teachers continues to negatively affect our schools, this position allows the UNCG School of Education to address this pressing issue head on.”
Schunk said the School of Education will recruit for the new position during the next academic year.
Johanna Yopp graduated from UNCG, then Woman’s College, in 1960 with a B.A. in primary education, and has taught in New Hanover County and Winston-Salem. James Yopp is a cardiologist. The Yopps have already established a summer professional development institute for teachers through UNCG’s Teachers Academy.
The Yopps’ gift has been made as part of The Students First Campaign, UNCG’s $78.2 million capital fund drive that is currently under way.
