Second Vice President Candidate |
Statement:
I believe ATE’s leadership and membership have done an exceptional job remaining responsive to the significant issues facing the organization. For nearly 106 years, ATE has remained relevant because of its dynamic nature. This growth is driven by the work of its Special Interest Groups (SIGs), LFTE, Delegate Assembly, Board of Directors, and other governance bodies that guide the organization’s direction. Key issues currently addressed by ATE include advocacy, diversity, teacher education standards, and the continued development of organizational infrastructure. These priorities reflect the broader social and political climate and its impact on education. In particular, ATE continues advocacy efforts in response to policies affecting education, works to maintain access and opportunity for diverse populations, and focuses on strengthening state and regional units. My perspectives have been shaped by service in leadership roles within ATE and have prepared me to contribute to its continued success. I have served on the Board of Directors, the Commission on Teacher Educator Standards, and as Chair of the Billy G. Dixon Distinguished Program in Teacher Education selection panel. I currently serve as Co-Chair of the 2026 Annual Conference Committee and have worked to restart the Missouri Unit of the Association of Teacher Educators. Biographical Notation: Terrell Brown currently serves on ATE’s Board of Directors as a Member-at-Large. He is currently co-chair of the 2026 Annual Conference Committee. He has chaired the Billy G. Dixon Distinguished Program for Teacher Educators selection panel and the Classroom Management Special Interest Group (SIG). Dr. Brown was a member of the Technology Committee, and Diversity Committee. He also had the opportunity to help found the Social Studies SIG. Locally, he is helping to restart MUATE, the Missouri’s state unit. At his home institution, Terrell has chaired the Academic Review Committee, a team charged with revising the university’s General Education Program. Resume / CV: TBrown
Statement: Teacher preparation and education stand at an inflection point: a shrinking pipeline, politicized attacks on public education, and uneven support for clinical partnerships and teacher educators. ATE must lead with clear advocacy, evidence-informed scholarship, meaningful recognition of teacher educators, and year-round member engagement. As a candidate for Second Vice President, I bring board-tested leadership across ATE, state, and university contexts. I serve on ATE’s Board of Directors (Colleges & University Representative, 2024–2027); chaired the Public Relations & Communications Committee (2019–2024); co-chaired the Task Force on Cooperating/Mentor Teachers; served on the Commission on Advocacy and the Commission on Re-examining Teacher Education Standards; and helped plan multiple Annual Meetings and Summer Conferences, including as 2026 Summer Conference Co-Chair. In Pennsylvania, I am President of PAC-TE and previously chaired Government Relations as President-Elect, organizing statewide advocacy days in Harrisburg. As Associate Dean at Kutztown University and a former department chair, I manage complex budgets, initiatives, and stakeholder partnerships. My focus is pragmatic problem-solving, transparent communication, and results for members and partners. As your Second Vice President, I will (1) expand ATE’s policy voice; (2) grow inclusive, year-round opportunities for members; and (3) steward resources with transparency and care. Biographical Notation: Some selected accomplishments in teacher education have been the following: current ATE Board member; chaired Public Relations & Communications; co-chaired the Task Force on Cooperating/Mentor Teachers that produced two edited books; and 2026 Summer Conference Co-Chair. I have served on PAC-TE’s board as a member and now executive officer (President), chair of Teacher Education, and Associate Dean of the College of Education at Kutztown University. My scholarship has mainly focused on coaching, mentoring, and leadership in teacher education. Finally, I have also managed multiple grant budgets, and our state unit budgets with fiscal responsibility. Resume / CV: TConway |
Board of Directors K-12 Representative |
Statement:
For the past 16 years, I have dedicated my career to K–12 education as both a special education and general education teacher, continually advocating for learning environments that honor equity, innovation, and authentic student experience. As a teacher leader for the virtual program at Siembra Leadership High School, I design and implement real-world, community-connected curriculum that centers student voice and expands access for diverse learners. My work as a university supervisor has allowed me to mentor beginning teachers, bridging theory and practice while supporting candidates in developing culturally sustaining and relevant pedagogies. I believe the most significant issues facing ATE today are preparing new teachers for a rapidly shifting educational landscape, strengthening partnerships between universities and schools, and ensuring innovative, equity-driven approaches remain central to teacher preparation. Teacher educators must be equipped to lead in virtual, hybrid, and nontraditional learning spaces while addressing persistent opportunity gaps. My leadership experience includes building collaborative structures for teacher teams, guiding curriculum initiatives, managing cross-program projects, and cultivating coalitions grounded in shared purpose. I am committed to supporting ATE’s mission by championing clinical-led research, advancing teacher pipelines, and amplifying the voices of educators who are designing the future of teaching and learning. Biographical Notation: Jackie Cusimano is a K–12 educator with 16 years of experience in special and general education. She serves as Teacher Leader for the virtual and reengagement programs at Siembra Leadership High School, where she leads program growth, curriculum design, and collaborative teacher teams. As an adjunct professor at Touro University, she prepares teachers in best reading and literature practices for both special and general education. Jackie is a member of ATE’s Clinical Fellowship, serves on the Public Affairs Committee, and as of 2025, the Dr. W. Robert Houston Leadership Academy. She advocates for clinically grounded teacher preparation and implementation. Resume / CV: JCusimano |
Board of Directors College-University Representative |
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