Sixteen UWG professors from the College of Education and the College of Science and Mathematics collaborated to receive eight Teacher Quality grants from the University of Georgia. UGA administers these U.S. Department of Education funds for the professional development of teachers in disciplines including language arts, mathematics, reading, science and social studies.
The Teacher Quality grants give teachers an opportunity to increase their depth of knowledge in a particular discipline, and, in effect, the grants will have a positive impact on teaching and student learning. The grants may be used to incorporate technology, novel assessment strategies or innovative teaching practices. In total, 71 grant proposals were submitted and 35 were funded.
“This farsighted program enhances the careers of numerous teachers and the classroom experience for students not only in the respective colleges but throughout the entire university,” says Dr. Charles H. Maris, associate vice president for UWG’s Office of Research and Sponsored Projects. “These grants and the knowledge obtained from them can have an impact on the community as well. UWG is proud to be counted among the top institutions in the state, including the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University.”
The eight grants were awarded to collaborating professors in the College of Education and the College of Science and Mathematics. Those in the College of Education include Alison Ayers, Dr. Judy Cox, Dr. Deborah Jenkins, Dr. Frank Stonier, Dr. Lara Willox and Dr. Yun-Jo An.
“This is an excellent example of professors from various disciplines working together to improve teaching across our state,” says Dr. Dianne Hoff, dean of the College of Education. “We are extremely proud of their initiatives.”
Professors from the College of Science and Mathematics include Dr. Barbara Ballentine, Dr. Heidi Banford, Dr. Sharmistha Basu-Dutt, Dr. Timothy Chowns, Dr. Anne Gaquere-Parker, Dr. Hannes Gerhardt, Dr. Jung Hon and Dr. Christopher Tabit. History professor, Dr. Keith Bohannon, and anthropology professor, Dr. Ashley Smallwood, also collaborated on some of the projects. The complete list of grants is located at the bottom of the release.
“I am delighted with the success of these collaborative endeavors that promote continued interaction with teachers in the region,” says Dr. Farooq Khan, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.
Complete List of UWG Grant Recipients
Dr. Sharmistha Basu-Dutt, professor of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics
Dr. Gail Marshall, Lecturer of STEM Education, College of Education
Enhancing the Nature of Science and Problem Solving in Elementary Science Instruction
$43,532
Dr. Sharmistha Basu-Dutt, professor of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics
Alison Ayers, STEM Master Teacher, College of Education
Students and Teachers Actively Researching Science (STARS)
$39,860
Dr. Yun-Jo An, assistant professor of Instructional Technology, College of Education
Dr. Jung Hong, assistant professor of Geosciences, College of Science and Mathematics
Dr. Frank Stonier, assistant professor of Early Childhood Education, College of Education
Dr. Hannes Gerhardt, associate professor of Geosciences, College of Science and Mathematics
Dr. Keith Bohannon, associate professor of History, College of Arts and Humanities
Designing Technology-Enhanced, Inquiry-Based Lessons Using GIS
$39,809
Dr. Judy Cox, lecturer in STEM Education, College of Education
Dr. Tim Chowns, retired professor of Geosciences, College of Science and Mathematics
Earth Systems for Middle and Secondary Teachers: An Investigative Approach
$40,163
Dr. Anne Gaquere-Parker, associate professor of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics
Ali Ayers, STEM master teacher, College of Education
Dr. Ashley Smallwood, assistant professor of Anthropology, College of Social Sciences
Chemistry and Art
$51,412
Dr. Christopher Tabit, professor of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics
Dr. Heidi Banford, associate professor of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics
Dr. Gail Marshall, lecturer of STEM Education, College of Education
A Problem-Based (PBL-S3) Investigation of the Ecology and Sustainability of Southeastern United States Water Resources
$44,613
Dr. Lara Willox, assistant professor of Early Childhood Education, College of Education
Improving Mathematical Number Sense and Technology Integration in the Elementary Classroom
$59,860
Dr. Deborah Jenkins, professor and coordinator of EDUC Sequence, College of Education
Dr. Barbara Ballentine, assistant professor of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics
Taking Wing: Engaging Students in Science through Birds
$52,534
