McLaughlin honored for contributions to teacher education
Teaching teachers Virginia McLaughlin, dean of the W&M School of Education, will receive the Edward C. Pomeroy Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education for her contributions to teacher education. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Virginia McLaughlin, dean of William & Mary’s School of Education, is being honored by a national professional association for her contributions to teacher education.
McLaughlin will receive the Edward C. Pomeroy Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education during its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 28.
“Dean Ginnie McLaughlin has had a most impressive career in teacher education,” said William & Mary Provost Michael Halleran, noting her experience as a teacher and researcher as well as her 18 years as dean. In that role, McLaughlin hired two-thirds of the current faculty at the School of Education, made possible the construction of the school’s new building, increased the school’s connections with local districts and served on Virginia’s State Board of Education.
“Ginnie McLaughlin is a most worthy recipient of the Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education, and I am delighted to see her sustained high level of achievements recognized in this way,” said Halleran.
According to its website, the AACTE is “a national alliance of educator preparation programs dedicated to the highest quality professional development of teachers and school leaders in order to enhance PK-12 student learning.”
The Pomeroy award is presented in recognition of “outstanding contributions to teacher education, either through distinguished service to the teacher education community or through the development and promotion of outstanding practices in teacher education at the collegiate, state or national level.”
Chris Gareis, associate dean for teacher education and professional services, nominated McLaughlin for the award, with the assistance of Tom Ward, associate dean for academic programs.
“Dr. Ginnie McLaughlin richly deserves these recognitions and honors,” Gareis wrote in his nomination letter. “Her contributions to teacher education are, simply put, long (40 years and counting), broad (cutting across crucial topics and timely issues), and substantive (demonstrably affecting policy, practice, and people’s lives for the better).
“This award fittingly celebrates her outstanding leadership, her exceptional professional career, her continuing dedication to her life’s work as a teacher, mentor, and scholar, and the promise that her work holds for the future of her profession.”
McLaughlin, who received her undergraduate degree in psychology from William & Mary in 1971, has been the dean of the School of Education since 1995. Earlier in her career, she served as an elementary school teacher, professor of education, assistant dean and assistant to the president and chief of staff.
Throughout her career, she has also been an active researcher, investigating, writing and speaking on topics including technology integration, accreditation, teacher evaluation, educational policy and statewide data systems with the assistance of numerous grants.
“Dr. McLaughlin’s scholarly record reflects her broad intellectual interests and her commitment to effective collaboration,” said Gareis in the letter.
McLaughlin has also worked throughout the year to develop and maintain partnerships with school divisions and state agencies such as the Virginia Department of Education and State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. She has served on the State Board of Education in Virginia and as the president of the Virginia Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. McLaughlin also serves on committees and boards for several local organizations.
“In short, Dr. McLaughlin is a selfless, dedicated, and substantive contributor to her profession and to the greater community,” said Gareis. “She lives the core value that the William & Mary School of Education strives to instill in every novice teacher: a calling to make the world a better place through one’s actions every day.”
The dean will step down from her post this summer with plans to take a sabbatical before returning as a member of the faculty.
