Emily Evans Fanaeian to Receive 2019 AACTE Dissertation Award

AACTE will honor announced Emily Evans Fanaeian as the recipient of the 2019 AACTE Outstanding Dissertation Award for Preparing Pre-service Teaches for Working with Linguistically Diverse Students: Examining University Teacher Preparation Programs Across the United States. The author completed her dissertation for the Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education and is now the interim director of English as a Second Language/Bilingual Graduate Programs for the School of Education at Edgewood College (Madison, WI). She will be recognized formally with the award at the AACTE 71st Annual Meeting, February 22-24, in Louisville, KY.

In her dissertation, Evans Fanaeian designed an ambitious multiple case study to examine the ways in which university-based teacher education programs take up the task of preparing general education teacher candidates to provide instruction to English learners. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Director of Teacher Education Center, Kimber Wilkerson, explained: “Dr. Evans Fanaeian’s dissertation research provides many important implications for teacher education.  Acknowledging the importance of preparing general educators to meet the needs of the wide diversity of learners in our schools, Dr. Evans Fanaeian designed an ambitious multiple case study to examine the ways in which university-based teacher education programs take up the task of preparing general education teacher candidates to provide instruction to English learners. In this study, she surfaces the very real local and contextual constraints that teacher educators face when attempting to add complexity to teacher preparation programs. This is particularly important at a time when teacher preparation programs face pressure to reduce the time and cost toward degree. Dr. Evans Fanaeian’s research provides insightful guidance to teacher educators considering different approaches to incorporating new content. Her recommendations for practice are thoughtful as well as pragmatic, and could be applied conceptually to other types of expertise beyond educating English learners.”Overseen by the AACTE Committee on Research and Dissemination, this award is given annually by AACTE to recognize excellence in doctoral dissertation research that contributes to the knowledge base of educator preparation.

“As the leading voice in educator preparation, AACTE represents teacher educators who sustain and advance their profession through innovation, high standards, and leadership. For 23 years, AACTE has honored its member institutions which and individuals who make exceptional contributions to our field,” said Lynn M. Gangone, AACTE president and CEO. “As the recipient of a 2019 AACTE Award, Dr. Evans Fanaeian exemplifies excellence in educator preparation and I look forward to honoring her at the 71st Annual Meeting later this month.” 

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 president and CEO. “The 2019 AACTE Awards recipients exemplify excellence in educator preparation, and I look forward to honoring Dr. Evans Fanaeian 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. Applications for next year’s dissertation award will open in April.


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Jerrica Thurman

Director of Marketing & Communications, AACTE