College of Education and Human Development

Two Mason Professors Named to New National Commission on Clinical Practice

George Mason University is pleased to announce that two faculty members have been named to serve on the Clinical Practice Commission.

This new national commission is charged with examining the state of clincial practice (commonly known as "field experience" or "student teaching") in teacher preparation. The two faculty members are:

• Audra Parker, associate professor and academic program coordinator for the Elementary Education program.
  
  
• Kristien Zenkov, professor and interim academic program coordinator for the Secondary Education program.

Both are faculty members in the Graduate School of Education, part of the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University.

Over the next six months, the Clinical Practice Commission, created by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), will develop a set of criteria that define clinical practice and lift up exemplary models in the field. The commission will publish a set of recommendations for teacher preparation programs nationwide.

"The participation of Dr. Parker and Dr. Zenkov on this commission reflects Mason's deep commitment to advancing the field of teacher preparation," said Mark R. Ginsberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Development and also chair of the AACTE board of directors. "Their expertise and experience will contribute significantly to this important national effort."

Added Ginsberg, "The group's work is an opportunity to affirm the importance of classroom experience in the preparation of future teachers and also a chance to define what this experience should look like." 

Christine DeGregory, a Mason doctoral student and an experienced clinical practice supervisor, has also been named to the commission.

Other members include representatives from: K-12 school districts, institutions of higher education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the National Association of Professional Development Schools, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and the National Network for Educational Renewal.

 

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About CEHD

George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the most comprehensive education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a full range of courses, certificates, and degree programs on campus, online, and on site to more than 4,000 students each year. CEHD is fully accredited by NCATE and all licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education. George Mason University, located just outside of Washington, DC, is Virginia's largest public research university.

For additional information:

• CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
• Graduate School of Education: gse.gmu.edu

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