The next President’s GEM Award goes to Elizabeth Ward, Ph.D., associate professor of education, for her contributions to statewide debates about the future of teacher education. She has considerably raised the University’s profile with teacher preparation programs in Texas, and with the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

In recent years, a number of lobbying groups have pressured state and federal governments to increase regulations on teacher preparation programs. Many schools of education at colleges and universities disagree with the proposed regulations, and Elizabeth has been leading the charge to coordinate and execute a response.  

Specifically, she has been working to persuade and inform the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and SBEC of the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed regulations by giving depositions at a number of statewide hearings. 

Academic distinction is one of the pillars of our 2020 Vision. Elizabeth is going above and beyond to distinguish Texas Wesleyan as a thought leader in the field of teacher education, and we are grateful for her service and dedication. 

Fred

 
Frederick G. Slabach
President
Texas Wesleyan University