Teaching Quality

Professional development that teachers can enact on an everyday basis in their classrooms remains all too rare in today's schools. While nearly all teachers participate in some professional development activity, studies show the vast majority of teachers find it to be worthless. 

Teacher Education by Design, a new online community for educators created by the University of Washington College of Education, seeks to change that status quo by engaging teachers in a cycle of continuously learning about and improving their practice.

The release of the first-ever Principal Supervisor Performance Standards, created by the University of Washington’s District Leadership Design Lab (DL2), promises to help school systems across the nation strengthen the quality of teaching for all students.

The University of Washington College of Education will host a series of three talks this winter and spring focusing on some of the biggest issues in teacher education today.

The Boeing Teacher Education Scholars Series will feature:

For Anne Beitlers, joining the UW College of Education as director of the Secondary Teacher Education Program is a homecoming. She is returning to Seattle after earning her PhD in English education at New York University, where she wrote her dissertation on the relationship between teachers' perceived needs of students and their practice in urban, all-male schools.

David Stroupe '13 has been honored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education for publishing the nation's most outstanding doctoral dissertation during the past year, honoring his research on ambitious teaching practice while at the University of Washington College of Education.

Noah Zeichner '04 is one of 50 finalists for a $1 million award designed to be the Nobel Prize of education.

Zeichner, who teaches social studies and Spanish at Seattle's Chief Sealth International High School, will find out in March whether he is the recipient of the Global Teacher Prize sponsored by Varkey GEMS Foundation. The award is designed to elevate the teaching profession by honoring educators who spark learning, prepare students to be good global citizens, and encourage others to become teachers.

Elham Kazemi, Geda and Phil Condit Professor in Science & Math Education, has received the Washington Educational Research Association's 2014 Distinguished Paper Award for a paper describing the University of Washington College of Education's innovative work in math education at Renton's Lakeridge Elementary School.

One of the nation's leading experts on effective curriculum and assessment practices for young children from poverty-impacted and diverse backgrounds will speak at the University of Washington on Oct. 23.

For more than three decades, Larry Nyland has led school districts across Washington. The University of Washington College of Education alumnus has overseen rising graduation rates and test scores, resolved conflicts between teachers and school boards, and won recognition as the state's Superintendent of the Year.

Now, Nyland has returned to the school system where he grew up.

The start of a new school year is a busy time for children and teachers.

The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning, based at the University of Washington College of Education, is pleased to offer this survival kit. Head Start teachers and other program staff can use the resources below to support their work with children and families all year long. Start exploring on your own and share them with colleagues.