31 Jul2021
Member Spotlight: Anne Tapp
AACTE’s Member Spotlight features an individual from a member institution, highlighting how their work makes a difference in classrooms across the country. Nominate yourself or another member by providing a response to the following questions and sending to mgrenda@aacte.org.
Get to know Anne Tapp …
Position/Institution: Professor, Saginaw Valley State University
(also serving as a director for the University of Michigan Center for Digital Curriculum)
Number of years in your position: 19 years
Alma Mater(s): Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Wayne State University
Hometown: Frankenmuth, MI
- How long have you been a member of AACTE?
I have been a member of AACTE since 2013.
- Why did you join AACTE?
AACTE is the leading voice on educator preparation. As I stepped into an administrative position and then a leadership role within MACTE (Michigan Association for Colleges of Teacher Education), I wanted resources that AACTE could deliver, and they did. AACTE affords its members opportunities for advancement in leadership, policy, and advocacy as well as the ability to make strong and beneficial connections.
- Why did you decide to enter the field of educator preparation?
Just like many of our colleagues, I entered education to make a difference in the lives of P-12 students. I decided to pursue educator preparation during an undergraduate science methods course. I realized at the university level, professors have the opportunity to touch the lives of their students and their P-12 students.
- What’s been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career so far?
If I am to select one, it would be the successful advocacy of our MACTE Executive Committee to help remove barriers for Michigan students to become teachers. We have worked together to create white papers, letters, and testify to the Michigan Senate and House Education Committees.
- What’s one thing—educator preparation-related or not—you learned in the last month?
Dr. Bettina Love’s presentation at AACTE’s 2021 Annual Meeting was inspiring. I have been reading Dr. Love’s book, We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom. I continue to learn all I can about equitable classrooms.
- What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
Navigating amongst all the interesting roles and opportunities in education has been a wonderful and great challenge. When interested in a variety of areas, it can be a task to navigate them. I say yes as often as I am able.
- What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in this field?
Jump in with both feet! Engage with colleagues, network within your field, and remain current in research and practice. Become involved within your state ACTE organization and AACTE where you will develop beneficial relationships and find great resources.
- Who or what inspires you?
Our students inspire me every day. They are the reason I entered our profession. They are the reason I continue to learn, grow, and advocate. Our MACTE Executive Committee also inspires me as we work hard to advocate for EPIs, teacher educators, and students as well as P-12 teachers and students.
- What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I think people may be surprised to learn I used to develop and write curriculum for NASA for a living.
- What is your favorite part about being a member of AACTE?
My favorite part about being a member is the relationships developed. AACTE provides so many opportunities for connections and life-long friendships.
Tags: membership
