Mari Koerner new dean of ASU's College of Teacher Education and Leadership

March 28, 2006

Mari Koerner has been named dean of the College of Teacher Education and Leadership at Arizona State University’s West campus. Koerner is currently a professor and director of the Early Childhood Literacy Resource Center Project at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She begins her appointment in July.<separator></separator>“We’re extremely fortunate to have someone of Dr. Koerner’s caliber leading the College of Teacher Education and Leadership,” said Mark Searle, provost of ASU’s West campus. “Dr. Koerner has a deep sense of commitment to advancing the quality of teacher education to ensure the highest possible impact of graduates in the preK-12 school system.” <separator></separator>Koerner has served in many leadership roles at the University of Massachusetts Boston and earlier in her career at Roosevelt University in Chicago, including department chair, director of Teacher Education and associate dean. <separator></separator>“I am proud to become the dean of this college, on this campus, in this university: an institution which has a strong commitment to serve as a positive force in addressing the needs of the people of Arizona,” Koerner said of her appointment. “The College of Teacher Education and Leadership has a long and distinguished history in preparing teachers and other educational leaders.”<separator></separator>A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Koerner received her Ph.D. in Curriculum with her research focusing on Teacher Education, her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and her bachelor’s degree in English Literature.<separator></separator>An accomplished writer and researcher, Koerner has published numerous academic articles and book chapters. She has a prolific record of external grants and projects that focus on early childhood teacher education programs, school and university partnerships and improving teacher preparation. In addition, Koerner has received numerous teaching honors, including Faculty Appreciation Recognition in 2004, and the Distinguished Alumnus award from the University of Illinois at Chicago. <separator></separator>Areas she hopes to emphasize in the College of Teacher Education and Leadership include strengthening partnerships with neighboring school districts, and enhancing the college’s public reputation by highlighting its exemplary faculty and programs. Koerner will also work to broaden skills and approaches to responding to the educational challenges and needs of Arizona schools, families and communities. <separator></separator>“Education in America has always held the potential to be the road to a better and more productive life,” Koerner said. “There is no doubt that it plays the most significant role in building a stronger democracy. I believe that deeply committed school teachers and administrators make important contributions to individual students as well as families, communities and the larger society. In the company of an unusually strong faculty and staff, I am looking forward to expanding this important work of preparing these professionals, the core of the College of Teacher Education and Leadership.”

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College