Austin College education faculty member Sandy Philipose has 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.
Philipose was one of just 80 university- and school-based teacher educators and education scholars from around the United State chosen to participate in the initiative, which 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.
“Due to the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning, many issues are currently in the news around topics such as “learning loss” and the social-emotional impact on students and teachers,” Philipose said. “Though we often think of the impact of the pandemic as a negative one, we also have an opportunity to come together and address the opportunity gaps for students and teachers that preceded and were exacerbated by the pandemic. I look forward to collaborating with other teacher education scholars and practitioners to consider how we can address the opportunity gaps in teacher preparation in ways that will better prepare our teacher candidates to work for more just and equitable outcomes for all students going forward.”
Philipose, a graduate of Austin College’s B.A. and Master of Arts in Teaching programs, spent time as a public school teacher before enrolling at Stanford University to complete a Ph.D. in curriculum and education. She joined the Austin College faculty in 2010 and says she is committed to helping grow educators through the Austin Teacher Program who have staying power for continued and successful years in education.
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.