Clinton Beckford and Kara Smith began five-years terms as associate deans in the Faculty of Education on July 1.
Two new associate deans began five-year terms in the Faculty of Education on July 1: Kara Smith in graduate studies and research and Clinton Beckford in teacher education.
Dr. Smith has a broad and diverse output in her own scholarly work, through both traditional publications and creative activity, and is therefore well-positioned to support the varied forms and modes of scholarship and knowledge production of both faculty and graduate students. She has a strong record of university teaching and supervision at the graduate level. Her editorial work with the Journal of Teaching and Learning, her numerous commitments to local and provincial educational partnerships, and her extensive experience teaching, partnering, and researching in international contexts were viewed as important strengths, said dean Ken Montgomery.
“Over her long tenure with the Faculty of Education, and its different graduate programs as they have developed over time, Dr. Smith has fostered a deep ethic of care for her students and positioned herself consistently as one who privileges dialogical and experiential learning,” he said.
Dr. Beckford has a very strong record of university teaching at the pre-service level and a strong record of student mentorship. he has served the faculty well, including in this particular position, before the teacher education program was changed from a one- to a two-year program. He has a strong record of responding well to the diverse needs of diverse students and a demonstrated ability to work with faculty and a variety of stakeholders from within and beyond the university.
Montgomery noted Beckford is very knowledgeable with respect to human rights, equity, and accessibility and has demonstrated a strong commitment to taking deliberate and strategic approaches to building a more inclusive student body and to facilitating success for students from diverse backgrounds.
Montgomery also expressed gratitude to the outgoing associate deans, Glenn Rideout and Geri Salinitri, both of whom completed their terms effective June 30.