TYLER (KYTX) - Dr. Kouider Mokhtari has received
the 2013 Outstanding Book Award from the American Association of Colleges for
Teacher Education, Dr. Ross Sherman, The University of Texas at Tyler College of
Education and Psychology interim dean, announced.
Mokhtari serves as the
Anderson-Vukelja-Wright Endowed professor of education within the UT Tyler
School of Education. He, along with co-editors Drs. Joyce Nutta and Carine
Strebel, have been recognized for their work on the 2012 book, "Preparing Every
Teacher to Reach English Learners: A Practical Guide for Teacher Educators."
The award recognizes exemplary
books that make a significant contribution to the knowledge base of educator
preparation or of teaching and learning with implications for educator
preparation. He and his colleagues were recognized at the AACTE's
65th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.
"As educators we are charged with
meeting needs of our English learners. But it is not enough to accept this
challenge. We need the tools to transform intention into reality," said Sherman.
"Dr. Mokhtari and his colleagues have designed a model for preparing every
teacher to reach English learners. We at The University of Texas at Tyler are
proud that AACTE has recognized the important contribution of Dr. Mokhtari and
his colleagues to promoting educational opportunity for all
students."
The book, published by Harvard
Education Press, reinforces the profession's sense of urgency to prepare
teachers who have the knowledge, commitments and practices to meet the needs of
English language learners in their classroom. The volume provides a useful
framework and programmatic model to guide conversations among teacher educators
about how to redesign and reimagine courses and clinical experiences.
Mokhtari currently serves as
co-chair of the Literacy & English Learners Committee of the International
Reading Association, whose work is focused on enhancing the education of English
learners.
He also serves as co-editor of the
journal, "Tapestry," which is dedicated to the advancement of research and
instruction for English language learners.
Mokhtari holds a Ph.D. in applied
linguistics, cognitive psychology and curriculum and instruction with a
specialization in reading from Ohio University.
His research focuses on the
acquisition of language and literacy by first and second language learners, with
particular emphasis on children, adolescents and adults who can read but have
difficulties understanding what they read.
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 800 institutions holding AACTE membership represent public and
private colleges and universities in every state, the District of Columbia, the
Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. AACTE's reach and influence fuel its
mission of serving learners by providing all school personnel with superior
training and continuing education.
