Jane West to Receive National Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education
AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) today announced Jane West, Ph.D., former senior vice president of AACTE, as the 2024 recipient of the AACTE David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education.
The AACTE David G. Imig Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate distinguished achievement in developing, implementing or analyzing teacher education policies or who perform outstanding scholarship in the field of educator preparation. The award is named in honor of AACTE President and CEO Emeritus David G. Imig, who led the association from 1980 to 2005. West will be presented with the award at AACTE’s 2024 Annual Meeting Feb. 16–18 in Aurora/Denver, Colo.
“I am delighted to present Dr. Jane West with the David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education,” said Lynn M. Gangone, AACTE president and CEO. “It is an honor to recognize Jane and her tireless life’s work advocating to ensure equitable access for all learners, as well as building the advocacy capacity of educators and other stakeholders.”
With over four decades dedicated to advancing equity in education, West’s career has been marked by her influential work in federal policy development and advocacy. The recent publication “Advocating for the Common Good People, Politics, Process, and Policy on Capitol Hill,” captures her knowledge and skill and inspires teacher educators to get to the policy table and make our voices heard. Rich with examples from her experience in working first in the U.S. Senate and then advocating on behalf of educators and people with disabilities, she offers practical recommendations informed by scholarship and a range of expert interviews. A seasoned educator, mentor, and policy strategist, West continues to inspire and empower educators across the nation to actively participate in shaping the landscape of education through informed advocacy and policy engagement.
“Dr. West is a bridge builder who has demonstrated the unique ability to educate teachers, researchers, higher education faculty, doctoral students, education leaders, and advocates about the complexities of the policy-making process and in turn, to educate policymakers about the equally complex worlds of education and disability,” said Katie Shepherd, professor and dean of the College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont.
About AACTE
Established in 1948, AACTE is the leading voice in educator preparation. AACTE’s member institutions and programs prepare the greatest number of professional educators in the United States and its territories, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. These professional educators are prepared for careers in PK-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, state and governmental agencies, policy institutes, and non-profit organizations. The AACTE alliance of colleges and universities and educator preparation programs collaborates with members and partners to advance the field of education by prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engaging in research-based inquiry, advocacy, and innovative practice. Learn more at aacte.org.
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