Maryland Senate Recognizes 100 Years of COE's Leadership

One hundred years ago, when the University of Maryland College of Education was formed, many students attended one-room schoolhouses, female teachers signed contracts promising not to marry or loiter in ice cream parlors, and online learning was not a whisper on the horizon. While much has changed over the last century in the field of education, the College’s enduring commitment to effective teaching and learning remains the same.

On February 27, 2020, on a brisk day in Annapolis, the Maryland State Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the College for, “100 years of creating knowledgeable and transformative educators, who improve communities throughout Maryland and the world.”

“[The College] of Education really understands the land grant mission; the College of Education is for the people of Maryland,” said Senator James C. Rosapepe, when introducing the resolution on the Senate floor. “The most obvious role is in training teachers and school administrators but they also are major thought leaders.”

Sen. Rosapepe praised the leadership of the College of Education, current and past, for their deep involvement in State education policy and practice. He also highlighted Dean Jennifer King Rice and other members of the College for sharing their expertise with the Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, and their leadership of new efforts in Montgomery County Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools to reinvent teacher education.

“We were honored to be recognized by the Senate for 100 years of leadership in education,” Dean Rice said. “We look forward to continuing to serve the State of Maryland in ways that help advance education for all students and educators.”

Dean Rice was joined on the Senate floor by graduate student Tia Pinner, an MCERT elementary education major, and Jessica Parker, a middle school math and science junior.

“Students are the future, so it’s really important to have high-quality teachers to inspire learning [and] inspire students to go onto achieve their goals,” said Parker, who knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age.

The College of Education’s students, faculty and alumni have made major contributions to the field of education and human development. For example, Bernice Sandler (Ed.D. ’69) was the ‘Godmother of Title IX,’ which revolutionized access to higher education for women; Distinguished University Professor Nathan A. Fox’s research changed our understanding of the brain and child development, leading Romania to move from the harmful institutionalization of children to a foster care system; and Jody K. Olsen (Ph.D. ’79) currently directs the Peace Corps.

“As the College of Education looks to its next 100 years, we are committed to partnering with the state and our local communities to advance excellence, innovation, and equity in education and to prepare future generations of students and educators to lead the way,” Dean Rice said. “A strong democracy and a thriving economy depend on an excellent and inclusive education system.”