Brennan Receives 2011 KACTE Distinguished Service Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 12, 2011) — Sharon Brennan, associate professor in the UK College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction and director of the Office of Field Experiences and School Collaboration, was honored with the 2011 Kentucky Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Award for Distinguished Service in Teacher Education.

“I feel deeply honored to be recognized with this special award by colleagues who I greatly admire and appreciate,” Brennan said. “It is a privilege to have work that is so meaningful, work involving collaboration with partners who are committed to ensuring that all students in P-12 schools have top-notch teachers. This award serves as a reminder of the value of our shared endeavors.”

As director of Field of Experiences, Brennan oversees placements that are designed to provide teacher candidates with opportunities to view the entire scope of teaching in a classroom setting and to develop skills and self-confidence necessary to be effective teachers. Her office also coordinates student teaching placements through the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching. In addition, Brennan plays an integral role in the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program as chair of the Kentucky Advisory Council for Internships and in the college’s internationalization efforts.

Brennan has served as director of Field Experiences for the College of Education since 1984, and she joined the faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 1993. She received her Ed.D. and a master’s degrees from UK and a bachelor’s degree from Framingham State College in Framingham, Mass. Her areas of academic interest and expertise include: teacher assessment and mentoring, clinical supervision, professional development and curricular issues in elementary education.

A few previous winners of this award also have had College of Education connections. In 1993, Elizabeth Nelli, who was then director of Academic Services, received the award. In 1998, former Dean Ed Sagan was honored, and then the college had back-to-back winners with Rosetta Sandidge, associate dean for school and community engagement, in 2007 and Gary Schroeder, current director of Academic Services, in 2008. Former Dean Jim Cibulka won the award in 2010.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, (859) 257-1754, ext. 254; Jenny.Wells@uky.edu