The Mary L. Collins Award for Excellence in Teacher Education is presented each year to an educator who has made significant and substantial contributions to teacher education in Florida. The award, established in 2000, is named for Dr. Mary Collins, Professor of Teacher Education in the Fischler Graduate School of Education at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Collins is responsible for the revitalization of FATE and has made many contributions to teacher education at the state, regional and national levels.
Standards for this award include but are not limited to, an educator who:
- Models professional teaching practices which demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes reflecting best practices;
- Inquires into and contributes to one or more areas of scholarly activity that are related to teaching, learning, and/or teacher education;
- Inquires systematically into, and reflects on, their own practice and demonstrates a commitment to lifelong professional development;
- Provides leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs for educating teachers that embrace diversity, and are rigorous, relevant, and grounded in best practice;
- Collaborates regularly with school, university, state education department, professional associations, and community representatives to improve teaching, learning, and teacher education;
- Serves as an informed, constructively critical advocate for high-quality education for all students, public understanding of educational issues, and excellence and diversity in teaching and teacher education professions; and
- Contributes to improving the teacher education profession.
Nomination Process
Nomination Package
- A cover page to include: nominee’s name, address and telephone number, name and address of employer, job title with description of responsibilities,
- A résumé or vitae of the nominee,
- A nominating letter from a FATE member (detailing why the nominee should receive the award), and
- Supporting letters (a minimum of two).
To be considered, application packets must be received by Monday, October 14, 2022. Applications can be submitted online, via email, or by postal mail.
For more information, feel free to contact the Awards Committee Chair, Dr. Valerie Wright at Valerie.wright@saintleo.edu
If submitting via postal mail:
Dr. Valerie Wright, Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574
To submit scanned documents via email:
We look forward to receiving your nominations!
Selection
Applicants will be assessed by their ability to meet the standards required of a distinguished teacher educator.
The award recipient will be notified by November 4, 2022 approximately one month prior to the FATE Annual Conference where s/he will be honored during the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, December 3, 2022.
As a special guest of the conference, the recipient will receive complimentary conference registration. The recipient will also receive a plaque and will have their name engraved on a circulating plaque that includes the names of past recipients.
Previous Winners
2022 Award Winner
Congratulations Dr. Mary E. Little, Professor and Program Coordinator, Exceptional Education, College of Community Innovation and Education, University of Central Florida.
2017 Award Winner
Congratulations Dr. Shelley Warm, Senior Lecturer and Program Coordinator at the University of Florida, College of Education, Teaching and Learning, as the 2017 Mary L. Collins Award winner.