Eleanor Su-Keene Named Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Leslie Ekpe

Congratulations to Eleanor Su-Keene, Holmes Scholar of the Month for February 2023.

Su-Keene is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University where she obtained her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Su-Keene holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). She also has a Master of Science in molecular ecology from UNR with a focus in teaching and learning in secondary science.

You’re Invited: Learn About the HBCU TAG During #AACTE23

By Dwayne Ray Cormier and Terrance McNeil

Join us at the AACTE Annual Meeting this year to learn how historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are transforming teacher education and preparation. The HBCU Teacher Education Topical Action Group (TAG) provides a platform for leaders and scholars associated with HBCUs to share their ideas and research on teacher education and preparation.

On Friday, February 24, 2023, from 8:00 a.m.  to 12:00 p.m., come to the Marriott IndyPlace’s Indiana Ballroom F to learn about the innovative programs and research initiatives at HBCUs that are driving change and making a difference.

Meet the New Leaders of the Appropriations Labor HHS-Education Subcommittee

By Kaitlyn Brennan

This weekly Washington Update is intended to keep members informed on Capitol Hill activities impacting the educator preparation community. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

This week Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), chair and vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Appropriations Subcommittees chairs, ranking members, and full rosters for the 118th Congress.

New TAG Highlights Principal Preparation

By Sheila Moore

Education leaders will have an opportunity to join the new Principal Preparation and Support Topical Action Group (TAG) under the theme, “Strong Educational Leaders Retain Strong Teachers.” The new TAG will host its first gathering during the AACTE 2023 Annual Meeting this week where you can meet our TAG leadership team, review the TAG goals, and discuss future work and collaborations.

Are you interested in the development of strong equity-focused leadership preparation and systems of support for sustainable leadership practices? Join us for the inaugural meeting reception in Indianapolis, Saturday February 25, 5:30 -7:00 p.m. in the Kentucky Room at the JW Marriot.

In the States: A Spotlight on State Education Funding in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Oklahoma

By Kaitlyn Brennan

The new “In the States” feature by Kaitlyn Brennan is a weekly update to keep members informed on state-level activities impacting the education and educator preparation community.

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Rules State Education Funding System is Unconstitutional

Nearly a decade after a lawsuit was first introduced by advocacy groups, several parents, and six school districts, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled that Pennsylvania schools do not have the resources to adequately educate all students, and the gaps between the high poverty schools and well-resourced schools render the system unconstitutional. The 786-page ruling issued by Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer directs lawmakers and the Governor’s office to ensure that Pennsylvania schools provide all students with an education that meets constitutional standards. How the state will respond remains unclear.

AACTE Contributes to Senator Sanders’ Education Town Hall

By Michael Rose

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the new chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, held a Town Hall meeting on February 13 to call for increasing the salaries and supporting policies for the nation’s educators. 

Sen. Sanders was joined by Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA); Becky Pringle, president, National Education Association; Randi Weingarten, president, American Federation of Teachers; and four educators to talk about their experiences in the classroom and why it is critical to increase salaries for educators. AACTE was invited to share videos (see minute 5:23 and 6:40) of students who are being prepared to become teachers at AACTE member institutions.

AACTE Congratulates Inaugural Recipients of Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Grants

By AACTE

AACTE is pleased to announce that the following 10 member institutions are part of the inaugural class of grantees under the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program (Hawkins Program):   

• Bowie State University (MD)
• California State University, Dominquez Hills
• Florida International University
• Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)
• Northeastern State University (OK)
• Sam Houston State University (TX)
• University of Hawai’i
• University of Houston-Clear Lake (TX)
• University of Texas at El Paso
• William Paterson University of New Jersey

AACTE Recognizes Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity President with 2023 Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education

By AACTE

AACTE today announced that Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity President and CEO Cassandra P. Herring is the recipient of the 2023 AACTE Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education. Herring will be recognized formally with the award during AACTE’s 75th Annual Meeting on Feb. 24-26 in Indianapolis.  

The Pomeroy Award recognizes contributions through either distinguished service to the teacher education community or the development and promotion of outstanding practices in teacher education at the collegiate, state, or national level. The award is given in honor of former AACTE Executive Director Edward C. Pomeroy.

H. Richard Milner IV, to Receive The 2023 AACTE Margaret B. Lindsey Award for Distinguished Research In Teacher Education

By AACTE

AACTE today announced that H. Richard Milner IV, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education and Human Development, is the recipient of the 2023 AACTE Margaret B. Lindsey Award for Distinguished Research in Teacher Education. The Margaret B. Lindsey Award recognizes an individual whose research over the last decade has made a significant impact on the field of teacher education. Milner will be recognized formally with the award during the AACTE 75th Annual Meeting on Feb. 24-26, in Indianapolis, IN.

AACTE Recognizes Leslie Fenwick with the Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award  

By AACTE

AACTE  today announced that Leslie T. Fenwick, Ph.D., author of the book Jim Crow’s Pink Slip: The Untold Story of Black Principal and Teacher Leadership (Harvard Education Press, 2022), has been selected to receive the 2023 Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award. Fenwick will be recognized formally with the award during the AACTE 75th Annual Meeting, February 24 – 26 in Indianapolis, IN.

AACTE Recognizes Florida Atlantic University with Outstanding Holmes Institution Award 

By AACTE

AACTE  today announced that Florida Atlantic University (FAU), College of Education, is the recipient of the 2023 AACTE Outstanding Holmes Institution Award. The AACTE Holmes Program supports students who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse and are pursuing graduate degrees in education at AACTE member institutions. This award recognizes Holmes Program institutions that demonstrate exemplary and innovative practices in supporting graduate students of color, resulting in increased productivity of its scholars. FAU’s Rangasamy Ramasamy, Holmes Program coordinator, and Stephen Silverman, dean, College of Education, will be recognized formally with the award during AACTE’s 75th Annual Meeting, February 24 – 26 in Indianapolis, IN.

AACTE Recognizes Kansas State University College Of Education with 2023 Best Practice Award for the Innovative Use of Technology

By AACTE

AACTE today announced that Kansas State University’s (KSU) College of Education (COE) is the recipient of the 2023 AACTE Best Practice Award for Innovative Use of Technology. The award will be formally presented to Debbie K. Mercer, dean of Kansas State University’s College of Education, during the AACTE 75th Annual Meeting, February 24 – 26, in Indianapolis, IN.

‘Toward a Healthy Racial Climate: Systemically Centering the Well-being of Teacher Candidates of Color’ Wins 2023 Outstanding JTE Article of the Year

By AACTE

 AACTE  announced today that the article, “Toward a Healthy Racial Climate: Systemically Centering the Well-being of Teacher Candidates of Color,” has been selected to receive the 2023 Outstanding Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) Article Award. Cosponsored by Sage Publications, the award recognizes exemplary scholarship published in JTE in the area of educator preparation or teaching and learning with implications for educator preparation. The article’s authors will be recognized formally during AACTE’s 75th Annual Meeting, February 24—26 in Indianapolis, IN.

Lightning Peter Jay to Receive the 2023 James D. Anderson Outstanding Dissertation Award

By AACTE

AACTE today announced Lightning Peter Jay, Assistant Professor, Department of Teaching Learning and Educational Leadership, Binghamton University, as the recipient of the 2023 AACTE James D. Anderson Outstanding Dissertation Award for “Imaging classrooms: A comparative case study of pedagogy and learning in teacher education.” This award recognizes excellence in doctoral dissertation research (or its equivalent) that contributes to the knowledge base of educator preparation or of teaching and learning with implications for educator preparation. This award is named for James D. Anderson, one of the towering giants in the history of American education. Jay will be recognized formally with the award at the AACTE 75th Annual Meeting on February 24-26, in Indianapolis, IN.

AACTE Advisory Council of State Representatives to Receive David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education

By AACTE

AACTE today announced the winner of the 2023 AACTE David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education Award. The AACTE Advisory Council of State Representatives (ACSR) will be formally recognized with this prestigious award at AACTE’s 75th Annual Meeting on February 24-26, in Indianapolis, IN. Anne Tapp will receive the award on behalf of ACSR.