Conners Receives Education Award

SALISBURY, MD -- Salisbury University professor Keith J. Conners recently received the Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology from the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.

Conners attended the Center's International Conference on College Teaching and Learning in April along with more than 800 faculty from colleges and universities in 18 different countries.

As professor of education in the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies, Conners has been instrumental in implementing a Professional Development School (PDS) partnership between Salisbury University and Worcester County Public Schools. He has supervised SU student teachers and, in support of the intent of PDS, taught University courses on-site in Worcester County. Conners has also pioneered flexible instruction and student teaching schedules designed to better meet the needs of working adults and the public school system alike.

The Seidel School also employs another of Conners' innovations, "Huxley College." At this fictitious institution, students in the post-secondary track of the Masters in Education program assume roles and grapple with timely issues and authentic challenges throughout the semester.

Conners credits much of his success in the field of education to his ability to "steal" good ideas from fellow teachers and his willingness to be different.

"I have enjoyed the freedom to rethink many of the assumptions underlying our profession," Conners said. "This has given me the opportunity to reshape the way the next generation of public school teachers is prepared."