Second Vice President Candidate |
Statement:
Today's educational landscape has transformed significantly since my teaching career began. While we face challenges of divisiveness, polarization, and diminished respect for the teaching profession, we also stand at the threshold of potentially transformative positive change. As an association, we have the opportunity to pioneer innovations and research in teacher education. ATE is uniquely positioned to lead in teacher education through three key areas. In teaching, we continue developing and improving standards that serve as a roadmap for all Education Preparation Programs (EPPs). In research, we can leverage our journals to highlight the scholarly work within our association. In service, we must maintain our advocacy for the profession, teachers, and schools “for if not us, then who?” My goal is to strengthen our association by demonstrating ATE's value and encouraging broader member involvement to support innovation. I aim to foster and revitalize partnerships with other educational organizations to amplify our collective voice in education. I also will challenge our scholars to conduct innovative research to support public education. We face a choice: we can approach education's future with trepidation, or we can unite and work confidently toward a brighter tomorrow. Together, we can shape the future of education. Biographical Notation: Amanda M. Rudolph has over twenty years teaching experience. After graduating Trinity University, she taught drama before pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Arkansas. Currently a professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, she has served in administrative roles including associate dean and program coordinator. Dr. Rudolph has held numerous leadership positions in educational organizations, including President of the TxATE and board member for the ATE. She is a lead site visitor for CAEP and serves on multiple education committees. Her academic contributions include publishing two books and editing several professional journals, most recently Action in Teacher Education. |
Board of Directors At-Large Candidates |
James M. ThompsonCandidate for the Position:
At-Large Representative (Board of Directors Seat) |
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Board of Directors College-University Candidates |
Jamia T. RichmondCandidate for the Position:
College-University Representative (Board of Directors Seat) |
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Statement:
Significant issues confronting ATE are legislation, advocacy, and retention and engagement. Currently, federal and even some state legislation regarding DEI is being designed and implemented that will drastically impact schools, systems, and higher education. It is essential for ATE to develop a strategic and unifying response to this challenge for the profession. The second issue is advocacy. Being the oldest professional organization in teacher education, ATE must maintain a presence and voice in conversations surrounding educational policies, national standards, and other education related matters. We must advocate for quality standards at all levels, including K-12 practitioners, community practitioners, and higher education professionals. A third issue is retention and engagement. As demonstrated in teacher retention data across the nation, the number of high-quality educators is declining. There are many reasons for this steady decrease of educators, ranging from workload concerns to implementation of detrimental educational policies. As educators grapple with these concerns, burnout rates increase, and retention decrease. As an organization, ATE should continue to support new faculty, teacher preparation programs, and the overall enterprise of education. We must find meaningful ways to engage with educational professionals to unify our voice, collaborate on inquiry projects, and provide professional development needs. Biographical Notation: Dr. Richmond is a dedicated faculty member and leader at Coastal Carolina University. She is Dean and Professor of Special Education. Jamia works with school districts, community partners, and nonprofit organizations to cultivate an inclusive educational experience for all students centered on engagement and student success. Dr. Richmond served in state presidential roles for South Carolina Teacher Education Division (SC-TED), South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children (SCCEC), and South Carolina Association of Teacher Educators (SCATE). Currently, she is the Executive Director for SCATE. Jamia was in the inaugural cohort of the ATE Inquiry Initiative, exploring opportunity gaps in education. |
Abbie R. StruncCandidate for the Position:
College-University Representative (Board of Directors Seat) |
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Statement:
One of the most critical challenges facing the association today is relevance. It is a harsh reality to acknowledge, but the current culture seeks to undermine the critical importance of the teaching profession. It is incumbent on us, as educators, teacher educators, and citizens to not only share the value of a well-prepared teacher, but the tremendous positive impact that quality teachers have on communities. The organization has collective influence and voice that can be used to provide research and data from the unique perspectives of school and campus-based educators from colleges, universities, school districts, and state educational agencies reflected in our membership. Using this influence as an organization will uplift and advocate for the profession and demonstrate the pertinence of the profession. A second issue facing the association is intertwined with the first: how do we continue to recruit new members who are new to the profession? Mentorship is an effective retention tool, and this organization has many excellent educators. We should strive to recruit new educators into the organization and provide mentorship and support. This sustains the association and the profession. Biographical Notation: Abbie Strunc is an Associate Dean and Professor in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University. She is a 2021 recipient of the Texas A&M System’s Chancellors Teacher Academy. She is engaged in advocating for highly prepared teachers and the benefits for students they teach. Dr. Strunc also serves on the Tx Association of Teacher Educators board as the President. She is the Managing Editor for the TxEP journal. She is an active member of several professional organizations, such as ATE and AACTE, and serves as legislative advocate for the Texas CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates. |
Sunny Styles-FosterCandidate for the Position:
College-University Representative (Board of Directors Seat) |
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Statement:
The first issue is the need for ATE to have a larger impact. We have many wonderful initiatives, including our Clinical Experience Standards, our Teacher Educator Standards, and our initiatives that seek to target emerging leaders and preservice teachers. However, ATE still seems to be an unknown organization to many. Our membership is trending towards a new group of enthusiastic individuals, but we have to determine what our role in education will look like and how we will advocate for the profession at all levels. This leads to growing our membership. ATE feels like home to me and this was especially true when I became more involved with the ADM committee. Having been part of the work to transition the committees, I have wondered if we are reducing the opportunities for new individuals to be involved and to feel like they are part of the organization. The last issue I believe we need to continue to work to improve is our conference experience. While we are trying new formats, we have continued to have low attendance for many of our sessions. This is often a comment that colleagues make and why they do not choose ATE as their annual conference. Biographical Notation: During the 2019-2020 academic year, I received the College of Education Teaching Award. In the Spring of 2019, I was asked to serve on the state level professional licensure standards board as a panel member. For five years, I coordinated our MAT program, the largest graduate program at the university, and transitioned it fully online. In the Summer of 2023, I was asked to serve in my current position as the Interim Chair for our Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education Department. I believe this shows my commitment to teacher education and my ability to serve in a leadership role. |
Amber E. WagnonCandidate for the Position:
College-University Representative (Board of Directors Seat) |
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Statement: As members of ATE, we have a unique opportunity to advance, transform, and energize our collective commitment to education. This call is particularly urgent given the current climate in which educators are increasingly demonized and undervalued. We must push back against these narratives by championing research that supports educators at all career stages and informs policymakers and educator preparation programs. A strong research agenda will serve as a powerful tool, not only to advocate for the profession but also to recruit, retain, and engage members. To sustain and grow our impact, we must prioritize preservice teacher involvement, leveraging digital engagement to connect with future educators in meaningful ways. Expanding membership through the creation of additional Special Interest Groups (SIGs) will further strengthen our network, providing targeted spaces for collaboration and professional growth. Additionally, highlighting national leadership opportunities within ATE, can assist our members in seeing themselves as active participants in shaping the future of education. By fostering a sense of belonging and professional purpose, we can reaffirm ATE’s role as a leading force in educator preparation, advocacy, and innovation. Now more than ever, our collective action is essential to sustaining and elevating the profession. Biographical Notation: Dr. Amber Wagnon is an educator, researcher, and advocate for teacher preparation, as well as a member of ATE since 2018. A faculty member at Stephen F. Austin State University for thirteen years, she has published research on experiential learning, literacy, and teacher education, including three co- edited books on culturally responsive teaching and trauma-informed pedagogy. Over the past four years, she has collaborated to develop and implement a yearlong residency program aimed at enhancing teacher preparation. Through grant-funded initiatives, leadership in professional organizations, research and presentations, Amber works to impact teacher education and support the next generation of educators. |
