College of Education and Human Development
Gary Galluzzo Receives the 2014 David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement
February 24, 2014
One of the preeminent honors in the education field will be presented on March 1 to Dr. Gary Galluzzo, recipient of the 2014 David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education.
Gary Galluzzo, Ph.D., is a professor in and former dean of the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. He is currently director of the college’s Ph.D. in Education program.
The David G. Imig Award is presented by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) in recognition of a distinguished record of achievement in teaching and teacher education. Previous recipients include luminaries such as Susan Lytle, University of Pennsylvania; Marilyn Cochran-Smith, Boston College; Linda Darling-Hammond, Stanford University; and Lee S. Shulman, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
The award will be presented on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the opening plenary session of AACTE’s conference in Indianapolis, following a keynote by Diane Ravitch.
The award reflects Gary Galluzzo’s career-long record of excellence in the field of teaching and teacher education. He has contributed significantly to teacher education reform research over the past 30 years.
Gary Galluzzo will receive one of the teaching profession's highest honors on March 1, the David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education.
"Dr. Galluzzo is an eminent researcher, respected scholar, informed leader, and admired teacher," said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education and Human Development. "He is viewed by his colleagues as a thoughtful, sensitive, and congenial person who always is available to support, mentor, and assist. He is a model citizen of our university and a productive scholar and teacher who has contributed consequential work to the base of knowledge and domain of practice in the field of educator preparation and professional development."
The nomination was spearheaded by four doctoral students who worked with faculty, staff, students, and the college’s alumni network. The nomination materials noted that cultivation of a new generation of teacher education scholars is what Dr. Galluzzo considers his true legacy.
“I am truly honored,” said Dr. Galluzzo. “Not just to be the recipient of this award, but to have colleagues and students who would endeavor to put the nomination together. That is just as big an honor for me.”
Sydney Merz – a doctoral student who was part of the nomination effort along with Jori Beck, Melissa Gallagher, and Christine DeGregory – noted that Dr. Galluzzo is currently chair of 16 dissertation committees and spends countless hours mentoring students. “He challenges us to look through a situation and research from multiple perspectives,” said Ms. Merz. “He is so humble. It wasn’t until I started my own research did I realize how renowned he is and his impact nationally and internationally.”
Dr. Galluzzo created the Teaching and Teacher Education specialization within the Ph.D. program, making George Mason one of the few universities, along with the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan, to offer a specialization that helps ensure the ongoing creation of quality teacher education research.
He also created a course called The Achievement Gap for which, the nominators noted, he is revered. The course reflects Dr. Galluzzo’s and the college's deep commitment to social justice, promotes an awareness of the disparities in the American education system, and reinforces the profession’s responsibility to address these inequities.
His publications include The RATE Project: A Profile of Teacher Education Institutions; The Rise and Stall of Teacher Education Reform; and The Master’s Degree in Education as Professional Development co-authored with Joan P. Isenberg, Stephen C. White, and Rebecca K. Fox.
As former executive vice president of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Dr. Galluzzo served as a leader on national education policy and as a champion for recognition of excellent PK-12 teaching. Currently, Dr. Galluzzo is exploring ways to re-envision the master's degree as well as developing programs to mentor early-career faculty members and doctoral students.
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George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the largest teacher preparation and education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a comprehensive range of degrees, certificates, courses, and licensure programs on campus, online, and on site. The college is distinguished by faculty who encourage new ways of thinking and pioneering research supported by more than $75 million in funding over the past five years.
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- PhD in Education program: gse.gmu.edu/phd
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