Dr. Carolyn Hunt, associate professor of elementary education, and Sara Harms, instructional assistant professor, both from the School of Teaching and Learning have been selected to participate in the inaugural Inquiry Initiative sponsored by the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE). The Initiative is a first of its kind collaborative exploration of teacher education practices and research, focused on opportunity gaps in education. Opportunity gaps are defined as the unequal or inequitable distribution of resources and options individuals or groups encounter in schools, colleges and universities, and employment and professional contexts.
Hunt and Harms were two of just 80 university and school-based teacher educators and education scholars from around the United States chosen to participate in the Initiative. The Initiative aims to cultivate and support collaborative research inquiries across geographic and institutional contexts over a three-year span. Imagined as an alternative to the traditional “drive-thru” mode of professional engagement available via most academic conferences, the initiative will include sustained and sustainable professional partnerships that result in pedagogical innovations, research reports and presentations, and education policies.
“The initiative is an exciting opportunity to connect with other teacher educators across the U.S who are committed to disrupting deficit discourses of marginalized students and dismantling the systemic inequities that contribute to the educational opportunity gap,” said Hunt, looking forward to the experience.
“I think the Inquiry Initiative is an excellent opportunity to meet teacher educators from around the U.S.,” said Harms. “Through this experience, I hope to build working relationships and gain research opportunities to explore topics related to clinical practices in teacher preparation.”
The Association of Teacher Educators is the nation’s oldest professional organization dedicated to the preparation of teachers. It aims to promote advocacy, equity, leadership, and professionalism for teacher educators in all settings and supports quality education for all learners at all levels. An individual membership organization, ATE enhances quality teacher education through both exemplary clinical practice and research.
