On Friday, February 27, Texas A&M University-Texarkana Professor of Biology David Allard was one of 11 faculty members statewide inducted into the Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators of the Texas A&M University System.

Chancellor John Sharp established the Academy to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of teacher education and to highlight the role of the A&M System in producing K-12 teachers for the state of Texas. “The Texas A&M System is known for producing some of the best teachers in the country” said Sharp. “But it takes exceptional teachers at the college level to help prepare those teachers for the classroom. The Academy is a way for us to recognize those teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure their students are getting the best education possible, so that they in turn can share that experience and knowledge with their own students.

“Over the span of his career, David [Allard] has focused on a quality experience in the classroom, a valuable preparatory program to equip teachers for the K-12 environment, and a service to provide graduate students a chance to receive advanced credits in order to teach dual credit courses in the high school setting,” College of Education and Liberal Arts Dean Glenda Ballard noted in her nomination letter. In addition, for many years, Dr. Allard has acquired grant monies to support K-12 educators in the A&M-Texarkana service area in an effort to make science instruction relevant and fun. He has received over $1.2 million to forward STEM education in northeast Texas.

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Dean Dr. Donald Peterson said, “Effective teacher educators significantly influence the lives and careers of their students and a measure of that influence can be seen in the number of their students that have, themselves, become influential educators. Dr. David Allard’s influence is clearly visible simply through the success of his students – in our University, our community, and beyond. We are very proud of his accomplishments and congratulate him on his induction into the Chancellor’s Academy for Teacher Educators.”

A member of the TAMUT biology faculty since 2000, Dr. Allard teaches a wide range of courses and also serves as an advisor for pre-professional programs in the health sciences (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) and those seeking teaching certification in science. A native of Dawson, Texas, Allard received his Associates Degree at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University, and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in College Station.

“We don't recognize our teacher educators enough. Theirs is a 'double-duty, low-profile' job—teaching content and effective pedagogy—often accompanied with little recognition in the ranks of academia,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Rosanne Stripling. She continued, “The Chancellor’s Academy for Teacher Educators recognizes the best of the best teacher educators across the Texas A&M University System, and David Allard, having spent his 15-year career at A&M-Texarkana positively impacting the lives of hundreds of PK-12 science teachers, certainly falls into that category.”

Recipients of the award are given a $1,000 stipend, a special commemorative medallion bearing the TAMUS seal, and are recognized at the Chancellor's Century Council annual meeting. Other Academy members from the TAMUT faculty include Dr. Jauquita Hargus, Professor Emerita of Elementary Education and Dr. LuzMary Rincon, Associate Professor of Spanish and Bilingual Education.

For more information about A&M-Texarkana, visit TAMU-T.

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