Rutgers Graduate School of Education receives the 2023 AACTE Best Practice Award in Support of Multicultural Education and Diversity

They like us! They really like us! We are thrilled to announce that Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) has been awarded the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) 2023 Best Practice Award in Support of Multicultural Education and Diversity Award. This is a tremendous acknowledgement of the GSE’s work with the Urban Social Justice Teacher Preparation Program, led by Dr. Nora E. Hyland, Associate Dean and Faculty Director of Teacher Education. We are honored to be recognized for our efforts to incorporate diversity throughout the entire teacher preparation and development process. The award was formally accepted by GSE Dean Dr. Wanda J. Blanchett and Dr. Hyland at the AACTE’s 75th Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Rutgers GSE serves as lead partner for all programs at Rutgers–New Brunswick that led to an educational license through the New Jersey Department of Education. Rutgers GSE launched the Preparation Program in September of 2017, with an aim to develop a generation of teachers with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to teach and advocate for all students while learning from the community they serve.

“The Rutgers GSE Urban Social Justice Teacher Preparation Program has had an enormous impact on the Rutgers GSE, the larger Rutgers University – New Brunswick community, and most importantly, on communities across the region and state of New Jersey,” said Wanda J. Blanchett, Dean of Rutgers GSE. “I could not be prouder of Associate Dean Nora Hyland and GSE faculty, staff, students, and alumni on being the recipients of such a prestigious national award that supports our mission.”

“The Rutgers GSE Urban Social Justice Teacher Preparation Program truly is a best practice that has yielded significant benefits for our neighboring communities and the State of New Jersey,” said Francine Conway, Rutgers–New Brunswick Chancellor-Provost. “I congratulate the Rutgers Graduate School of Education and its leadership on their outstanding success and this well-deserved recognition.”

“AACTE is proud to highlight the exceptional work of Rutgers University’s Urban Social Justice Teacher Preparation Program in training the next generation of teachers to be the best advocates they can be for the communities of students whom they serve,” said Lynn M. Gangone, AACTE president and CEO. “It is a pleasure to recognize the work of Deans Blanchett and Hyland with the Urban Social Justice Teacher Preparation Program at the Awards Forum during our 75th Annual Meeting.” 

Congratulations Dean Blanchett and Associate Dean Hyland on this extraordinary achievement. On behalf of the entire GSE faculty and staff, thank you for all your contributions to the field of Education!