Jane S. Bray to be Presented with 2019 Pomeroy Award

AACTE’s Committee on Professional Preparation and Accountability has selected Jane S. Bray as the recipient of the 2019 AACTE Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education. Bray, dean of the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, will be presented with the award at the AACTE 71st Annual Meeting, February 22-24, in Louisville, KY.

The Pomeroy Award, named for longtime AACTE Executive Director Edward C. Pomeroy, recognizes distinguished service either to the educator preparation community or to the development and promotion of outstanding practices in educator preparation at the collegiate, state, or national level.

Bray joined the AACTE Board of Directors in 2013 as a representative of the Advisory Council for State Representatives (ACSR), a coalition of leaders from AACTE’s state chapters. During her tenure on the AACTE Board, she was elected to serve as a member of the AACTE Executive Committee. She became chair of the AACTE Board in March 2016 and led the national search for the next president and chief executive officer of AACTE. Bray chaired the national search committee while completing her normal responsibilities as board chair. This daunting task included leading interactions with the search committee and the AACTE Board of Directors, and managing the intricacies of a national search that included a wide range of individuals and constituents. Bray is being honored for her exceptional contributions to AACTE at a time of great significance and importance to the Association.

Bray’s colleagues also applaud her contributions. “Dean Bray’s work and advocacy for educator preparation at the local, state and national level has had a significant impact on Old Dominion University students and those striving to advance their career in the field of education,” said Austin Agho, Old Dominion University provost and vice president for academic affairs. “She is an outstanding collaborator and educator, admired for her incredible work ethic and passion for the pursuit of excellence.”

Having spent more than 30 years as a classroom teacher and as a teacher educator, Bray is a leading expert in teacher education and educator preparation. She has been instrumental in her state’s advocacy work for educator preparation, active in the Virginia ACTE, and frequently represents educator preparation before Virginia’s appointed and elected officials. She remains a staunch advocate for the AACTE State Chapters nationwide. In addition to her state-based work, she has moderated critically important federal legislative briefings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and she frequently serves as a spokeswoman for AACTE.

 “As the leading voice in educator preparation, AACTE represents teacher educators who sustain and advance our profession through innovation, high standards, and leadership. For 23 years, AACTE has honored the exceptional contributions of member institutions and individuals to our field,” said Lynn M. Gangone, AACTE’s president and chief executive officer. “Dean Bray is an exemplary educator and leader within AACTE and other venues in educator preparation. Her integrity, capacity to effectively engage multiple constituencies and her leadership at the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies and within AACTE is deeply appreciated by many. Dr. Bray is well-deserving of the 2019 AACTE Pomeroy Award and I look forward to honoring her at the 71st Annual Meeting later this month.” 

AACTE issued a press release today announcing all of its 2019 award winners. For more information on AACTE’s awards program, visit the AACTE website. . Nominations for the 2020 Edward C. Pomeroy Award will open in April.


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Katrina Norfleet

Content Strategist, AACTE