Waggoner to head teacher education program

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Jan E. Waggoner, associate professor of curriculum and instruction at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will become director of teacher education for SIUC's College of Education and Human Services June 16.

The college's nationally accredited Teacher Education Program provides coursework and field experiences for prospective and current teachers, leading to state certification in a variety of different areas, such as early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, special education, and those that involve kindergarten through 12th grade. While it is housed in the college, it includes areas of study and practice from several other colleges on campus.

"I believe Jan will bring to the position a deep knowledge of and experience in teacher education issues, a collaborative style and strong work ethic, and a clear vision about and specific ideas for ways in which our teacher education program can be improved," said Dean Kenneth Teitelbaum in announcing the appointment.

"She has a strong commitment to enhancing the relationships we enjoy across the college and the University and in particular with our many school partners, which I believe will serve all of us very well."

Waggoner will focus first in her new position on preparing for a review by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Waggoner, who currently coordinates middle-level education for the college, has performed similar duties for social studies education and elementary education since her arrival at SIUC in 1990. In addition, she spent five years as supervisor of clinical field experiences for student and pre-student teachers.

Waggoner's interests and specialties center on middle school curriculum and strategies and the professional development of teachers, and she served as principal investigator on a six-year teacher quality enhancement grant.

She has won teaching honors from the Carbondale Elementary School District, the Illinois Women Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, her college and her department, among others.

Waggoner earned her bachelor's degree in 1973 from Illinois State University, her master's in 1977 from SIU Edwardsville and her doctorate in 1990 from the University of Memphis.