February 16, 2023
SVSU professor receives national recognition for contributions to teacher education
A Saginaw Valley State University professor has gained national recognition for her commitment to educating future teachers.
Anne Tapp, SVSU professor of teacher education, has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).
The David G. Imig Award recognizes distinguished achievement in the formulation, implementation, or analysis of teacher education policy, or the performance of distinguished scholarship in educator preparation. The award is named in honor of AACTE President and CEO Emeritus David G. Imig, who led the Association from 1980 to 2005.
“It is a great honor to have been selected for AACTE's David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education,” Tapp said. “I have been fortunate to work with amazing colleagues at SVSU, AACTE, and AACTE's Advisory Council of State Representatives who make a difference in the lives of teacher education and P-12 students.”
Tapp will receive her award on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the AACTE Awards Reception at AACTE’s 75th annual meeting in Indianapolis.
Tapp, who joined the faculty of SVSU’s College of Education in 2002, teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Her research interests include the integration of technology, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and reflective practice. She presents frequently at national and international conferences and has published numerous journal articles, book chapters and books.
In 2021, Tapp was elected to the board of directors of the AACTE, a testament to her commitment to teacher education and passion for advancement in the field of education.
She also serves as chair of the AACTE’s Advisory Council of State Representatives and was recently elected to that body’s executive committee. Tapp also is a director for the University of Michigan Center for Digital Curricula and previously served as the president of the Michigan Association of Colleges and Teacher Education.
Tapp currently is on sabbatical from SVSU, working with NASA as a Jet Propulsion Laboratory education executive in residence.
The purpose of the Advisory Council of State Representatives is to serve as a collaborative network for state chapter leaders across the nation, represent state-level perspectives in all AACTE activities, and help identify critical issues for AACTE to monitor and manage. Much legislation, regulation, and guidance directly impacting the educator preparation profession are crafted and implemented at the state level. ACSR provides a sustained impact on educator preparation and policy by working with the states to promote and support innovation and effective practices that strengthen educator preparation through advocacy and capacity building.
“It is my pleasure to present the Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education award this year to our colleague Dr. Anne Tapp, representing the work of our state affiliates and their coordinating body, and Advisory Council of State Representatives, whose exceptional work in state education policy is deserving of this award,” said Lynn M. Gangone, AACTE president and CEO.