George Theoharis, assistant professor of teaching and leadership in inclusive
elementary and special education in the School of Education, has been named an
Emerging Scholar by Division A (Administration, Organization and Leadership) of
the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The award recognizes a pre-
tenure scholar who is in the first five years of her his/her career in the professorate
and who has made outstanding contributions to the field of leadership,
administration or organizational theory. Theoharis will be presented with a plaque
and honorarium during the annual AERA Meeting in San Diego in April.
"This is a completely amazing honor, and I am rather speechless about it," says
Theoharis. "It is quite exciting to have the inclusive, equity-oriented work I do that
challenges so much of the status quo of K-12 schooling and educational
administration be recognized in this way."
Theoharis was selected based on evidence of his outstanding contributions to
teaching, research and service submitted by his students, peers, department chair and
dean. Evidence of excellence in research included his book, "The School Leaders Our
Children Deserve: Seven Keys to Equity, Social Justice, and School Reform,"
published this year by Teachers College Press. The book draws on the experiences of
successful public school principals to show why social justice leadership is needed and
how it can be effective.
"This award comes as no surprise to George's colleagues here at Syracuse
University," says School of Education Dean Douglas Biklen. "In his three short years
on our faculty, he and his wife--also a professor at SU--have launched one of the most
dynamic and important school reform projects in years, the Schools of Promise. This
model promises to demonstrate how the learning of all students improves with a
school-wide commitment to inclusive education and the notion that all students
belong. We are very proud that George has been tapped for this honor."
Theoharis' research focuses on public school leaders who are committed to equity and
justice, the success/reforms these leaders accomplish and the resistance they face. In
addition to being an accomplished scholar, Theoharis has extensive field experience in
education as a teacher, administrator and principal in the Madison Metropolitan
School District. He completed his Ph.D. degree in educational leadership and policy
analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is
concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry
related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and
practical application of research results. The disciplines represented by AERA's more
than 26,000 members include education, psychology, statistics, sociology, history,
economics, philosophy, anthropology and political science.
