WILSON SELECTED AS 2008-2009 BRYANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION
September 21, 2008
This
fall, Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, Executive Director of the Alabama Consortium
for Educational Renewal, received the award for the Bryant Professor
in the College of Education. She was awarded at a reception on Sept.
19, 2008.
Dr. Wilson earned her B.S. and M.S. in secondary education, social studies, from The University of Alabama. She completed her Ph.D. in social studies and reading education from Louisiana State University.
Dr. Wilson began teaching at The University of Alabama in 1991 as an associate professor. In 1994, Wilson was selected as Coordinator of the Secondary Clinical Master Teacher Program. Then in 1997, she became the Chair for the Program in Secondary Education where she recruited faculty and graduate students along with many other duties. In 2003, Dr. Wilson became a Professor of Secondary Curriculum at The University of Alabama.
Jim McLean, Dean of the College of Education, said Dr. Wilson’s selection as the Paul W. Bryant Professor for 2008-09 is very reflective of the values of the legendary coach.
“She is an outstanding teacher and great motivator,” McLean said. “In addition, her engagement research with schools and teacher education blurs the lines among teaching, research, and service. She more than upholds the tradition established by the previous holders of this prestigious professorship.”
Dr. Wilson’s honors and research awards include the Ross Palmer Service to Students Award which she received in 2006 from the College of Education at The University of Alabama. Her research awards include Best Paper Recipient for “From preservice to inservice teaching: A study of technology integration,” and “Social Studies Methods Course at the University of Alabama—Historical Field Trip; featured in the Gallery of Exemplary Practices in Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education.”
“Dr. Wilson truly exemplifies the spirit and principles of the Paul W. Bryant Endowed Professorship,” said Miguel Mantero, Curriculum and Instruction Department Head. “As a member of our faculty, Dr. Wilson continues to inspire a new generation of teachers and collaborate successfully with the community to help improve our schools. It is an honor and a privilege to help support the many facets of Dr. Wilson’s work as a scholar and mentor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and in the College of Education.”
Robert “Bud” Moore and other friends established The Coach Paul W. Bryant Endowed Professorship to honor the memory of the legendary University of Alabama football coach, Paul William Bryant (affectionately known as Coach Bear Bryant), who inspired many student athletes to pursue a career of teaching and coaching young people, and to promote faculty excellence in the College of Education at The University of Alabama.
Coach Bryant earned his Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education from the College of Education while he played football for The University of Alabama. When he returned to the University as head coach, he led the Crimson Tide to six national championships, 12 SEC championships, and participated in 24 consecutive bowl games and in 1982, he was named the “winningest” coach to date with 315 wins. Bud Moore played on Coach Bryant’s first team at UA.
About the College
The College of Education at The University of Alabama provides outstanding teaching, research and service while addressing state and regional interests as well as incorporating national and international perspectives. The College of Education is ranked 87th by U.S. News and World Report which places it in the top 3 percent of accredited colleges and schools of education in the U.S. In addition, the College received an 'A' on the most recent Alabama State Department of Education Institutional Report Card. About 10 percent of students in the UA community are College of Education majors.