Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Dr. Amanda M. Rudolph, professor of education studies in the James I. Perkins College of Education, was selected to participate in the inaugural Inquiry Initiative sponsored by the Association of Teacher Educators. The initiative is a unique, collaborative exploration of teacher education practices with a focus on opportunity gaps in education.
Rudolph was one of just 80 university-based teacher education scholars from around the U.S. who was chosen to participate.
“I am so excited to be part of this inaugural group,” Rudolph said. “I will be working with scholars from around the world to conduct research and create solutions that will hopefully help narrow the opportunity gaps in education. It will be invigorating and challenging, but worth the work and commitment.”
Opportunity gaps are defined as the unequal or inequitable distribution of resources and options that individuals or groups encounter in schools, universities and professional settings.
Rachelle Rogers, president of the association, described the rationale behind the development of the new program.
“The Association of Teacher Educators is committed to exploring the ways in which education scholars and practitioners can impact the teaching and learning challenges of our time,” she said. “The Inquiry Initiative is a unique, sustainable and collaborative structure that we believe can have a big impact.”
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 through many academic conferences, the initiative will include sustainable professional partnerships that result in pedagogical innovations, research and policies.