Message from the Dean
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Dean Ron Marx |
"What difference is there, do you think, between those in Plato’s cave who can only marvel at the shadows and images of various objects, provided they are content and don’t know what they miss, and the philosopher who has emerged from the cave and sees the real things?”
- Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466-1536)
Erasmus — the Renaissance scholar whose work in education changed humanity — may have uttered these words more than 500 years ago, but they certainly still apply to the College of Education’s philosophy of teaching, research, and service. These three areas form a compelling center of gravity — and provide the much-needed energy and focus for our work at the College of Education. Addressing the problems that confront education in Arizona, the nation, and the world has never been more important. One example: As many as a third of all new teachers leave the field within the first three years, and a stunning 50 percent are gone by five years. This enormous turnover rate means that beginners teach thousands of students.
The College of Education is doing something to address this issue and hundreds more like it.Teaching. Providing quality teachers and educational leaders for the next diverse generation of Americans is critical. Using a variety of programs, we prepare exceptional teaching professionals at all levels, from special educators to superintendents.
Research. As part of one of the world’s leading research universities, we’re involved in a wide range of research and scholarship — from fundamental research and design studies to more engineering-focused research and development programs. Our funding is on the increase as we contribute to the national debate about educational research and investigate solutions to pressing problems of practice.
Service. Obviously, teaching and research address educational problems in profound ways, but there’s more. The challenges facing our children, families, and communities cannot be understood from any one professional perspective or one research methodology. We understand the need to reach out to our local, state, national, and international organizations and constituencies.Join us as we chart a course for learning and evolve the face of teaching through a range of research and scholarship. As we create a community that nurtures every child’s readiness to learn.
As we reach out beyond the boundaries of our college and extend our services, knowledge, and creative activities to the community, the nation, and the world. As we prepare exemplary teachers, administrators, and mentors who can show children how to define the world in their own terms and “see the real things.”