Williams Selected to Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators

Dr. Bob Williams, associate professor of agricultural science and technology at A&M-Commerce, has been named an inductee into The Texas A&M University System's Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators. The academy acknowledges individuals who exhibit excellence in teaching and is supported by donors in the Chancellor's Century Council, which is committed to advancing the future of higher education in Texas.

“Technically, we are not in the teacher preparation business,” said Dr. Grady Price Blount, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Agriculture at A&M-Commerce. “But we have many committed faculty, like Dr. Williams, with exceptionally close ties to the College of Education and Human Services and their mission of preparing new science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics teachers. These are the folks who reach across disciplinary boundaries to make sure those new teachers have the very best of technical content and the skill set to help people learn.”

On Feb. 21, 2014, in College Station, the Annual Banquet of the Chancellor's Century Council will recognize Williams and the eight other 2013 – 2014 inductees: Dr. Jack A. Bradley, Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Mary J. Cruz, West Texas A&M University; Dr. Dorleen K. Hooten, Texas A&M University-Central Texas; Dr. James B. Jurica, Texas A&M University-San Antonio; Dr. Beth Riggs, Tarleton State University; Dr. Luz Mary Rincon, Texas A&M University-Texarkana; Dr. Corinne M. Valadez, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; and Jennifer G. Whitfield, Texas A&M University.

Members of the Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators receive a $1,000 stipend, a certificate and a commemorative medallion bearing the A&M System seal. Academy members also serve on the selection committee for future inductee classes and are invited to present at the Chancellor's Summit of Teacher Education.

Williams has more than three decades of experience as an educator. He joined the faculty at A&M-Commerce in 1999. Williams received his bachelor's and master's degrees from A&M-Commerce (then East Texas State University) in 1977 and 1981, respectively, before going on to earn a doctorate degree from Texas Tech University in 2000.

The A&M System produced nearly 4,000 certified teachers in 2009. As of the 2010 – 2011 academic year, A&M-Commerce is the leading producer of teachers in the A&M System.