WICHITA, Kan. (Date) - The 2024 Annual Meeting of the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) convened from March 27th to 30th, 2024, in Anaheim, California. Themed "A Professional Educator's Kuleana: Preparing for the Future Through Accountability, Diversity, Advocacy, and Celebration," the conference drew educators from across the nation.

ATE, established in 1920, is the sole national membership organization dedicated to enhancing teacher education for both school and campus-based educators. Representing nearly 1,500 educators from colleges, universities, school districts, and state education agencies across 41 regional and state units and US Territories, ATE remains a leader in teacher education reform.

Dr. Shirley Lefever, Executive Vice President and Provost of Wichita State University, was honored with the prestigious Hans C. Olsen Distinguished Teacher Educator Award during the conference. This esteemed accolade, established by ATE, celebrates individuals whose dedication to teacher preparation merits special acknowledgment.

Wichita State University College of Applied Studies faculty members Dr. Julie Thiele, Jill Wood, Dr. Kim Wilson, and Dr. Aaron Rife, alongside CAS Associate Dean Dr. Heidi Cornell, actively engaged in the conference, presenting their scholarly work and discussing innovative approaches to teacher education at WSU. They also explored insights into best practices in teacher preparation.

For more information about Wichita State University's College of Applied Studies and its commitment to excellence in teacher education, please visit wichita.edu/appliedstudies.