Michael Marder to Receive Massey Award for Excellence in Teacher Education

AUSTIN, Texas – Michael Marder, professor of physics, associate dean for science and mathematics education, and co-director of UTeach in the College of Natural Sciences, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey Award for Excellence in Teacher Education.

The Massey Award recognizes a “teacher of teachers,” one who inspires and prepares future elementary and secondary school instructors. Marder will be honored with the $14,000 award at a ceremony to be held in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on Thursday, September 11.

Marder has been a faculty member in the College of Natural Sciences since 1988. He has served for several years as one of the founders and co-director of the UTeach program and has also headed the Discovery Learning Project. UTeach started at The University of Texas at Austin in 1997 as a new way to prepare secondary science, math and computer science teachers. UTeach has proven to be so effective that it is now being replicated at universities across the state. Marder also worked with the College of Education to develop an entirely new curriculum for teacher education.

Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Mary Ann Rankin, said of Marder, “His contributions to teaching in the College of Natural Sciences go far beyond excellence in the classroom or impact on any one department or program. Indeed they are so extraordinary that they are transforming teaching in the college and throughout the state and nation.”

Through the Discovery Learning Project, Marder helps faculty learn about innovative methods of instruction in mathematics or science, particularly those that make students into active learners.

“Students do not come to a university to take courses. They come to obtain experiences which will enable them to meet their goals in their lives. They are often struggling to determine what those goals will be. I have been given the opportunity to help shape an entire program designed to give students a purpose for their university education,” said Marder.

Marder was selected by a committee of University of Texas at Austin representatives and alumni who are active in public education. Student evaluations and the recommendations of peers, students and program directors were used to evaluate the candidates from the university’s seven teacher preparation programs.

Named for Elizabeth “Libba” Shatto Massey, the award was created by alumnus John Massey to honor his wife’s lifelong dedication to public education. Libba received her degree in education in 1961 from The University of Texas at Austin and pursued a career in teaching. She remains committed to education and serves as chair of the College of Education Advisory Council and is an endowed member of the Executive Committee of the Chancellor’s Council for The University of Texas System, and a member of the Texas Exes Board of Directors.