Teacher education discussion with national leaders set for Jan. 23

 The UK College of Education is marking 100 years in its history as a college during the 2023-24 academic year.
The UK College of Education is marking 100 years in its history as a college during the 2023-24 academic year.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2024) — The public is invited to attend a discussion, "Teacher Education and Beyond: State, National, and Global Impacts,” taking place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23 in the Worsham Cinema at the University of Kentucky Gatton Student Center. 

The discussion is hosted by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in celebration of the UK College of Education’s 100th anniversary. It will feature alumni and faculty emerita discussing the impacts of their work both within and beyond the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Featured guests will offer short talks, followed by opportunities for discussion.  

“Our 100th anniversary presents the opportunity to connect with many of the individuals who are part of our history and celebrate the ways the college has played an important role in our lives and communities,” said UK College of Education Acting Dean Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Ph.D. “Our centennial year is a chance to advance our vision for how the college will continue to make a difference in the decades to come. As we look ahead, much of the dialogue about our future is reflective of the growing breadth of careers and interests that can be pursued in our college, how these majors impact society today, and how they will evolve in the years to come.” 

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.  

“Our panelists represent examples of impactful careers that can be had in the field of education, and we are so glad they are able to return to discuss the role the UK College of Education has played in their lives,” said Kristen Perry, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “During the 100 years since the College of Education was established, students, faculty, staff, and alumni from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction have been making an impact on education at state, national and global levels.” 

Panelists include: 

  • Jason E. Glass, Ph.D.,who earned three degrees, including a master’s in education, at UK. He is associate vice president of teaching and learning at Western Michigan University and was the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education from 2020 to 2023. 
  • Felicia Cumings Smith, Ph.D., who earned her doctorate in literacy in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She is executive director of the National Center for Families Learning.  
  • Angene Wilson, Ph.D., who is professor emeritus in the UK College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction, where she was chair of the secondary social studies program from 1975 to 2004.  

View additional background on the panelists. 

To learn more about UK College of Education 100th anniversary events taking place during the Spring 2024 semester, visit education.uky.edu/100Years/100thevents. 

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.