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MNU Assistant Professor to Speak at Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting as an Emerging Scholar
(Olathe, Kan. – Nov. 03, 2015) – MidAmerica Nazarene University proudly announces that Dr. Jill Gonzalez--Bravo, assistant professor and director of clinical and field--based experiences, has been selected to speak at the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) annual meeting as an Emerging Scholar. The meeting will take place Feb. 13--16 in Chicago.
“We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Gonzalez--Bravo on her well--earned recognition as an Emerging Scholar,” said Dr. Mary Jones, provost of MNU. “Her dedication to providing students with an enriched education and commitment to living out the mission of MNU are admirable. She is truly deserving of this honor.”
The Emerging Scholars program, established by ATE, supports the research of doctoral students and professors in their first or second year faculty appointments. Emerging Scholars are selected based on their research proposals. Dr. Gonzalez--Bravo, one of nine Emerging Scholars chosen this year, was selected due to her research proposal on professional identity development.
Using the Theory of Possible Selves, which is based on an analysis of hopes and fears, her research incorporated components of hope achievement and fear avoidance.
Her research proposal stemmed from current gaps in teacher preparation research, including the process of professional identity development and teacher educator practice and training. Through her research, Dr. Gonzalez--Bravo emphasizes the need for education students to have mentors and professional development while both in school and after.
“I’m honored to have been named an Emerging Scholar,” said Dr. Gonzalez--Bravo. “The findings from my research proposal demonstrate how higher--education programs can improve professional identity development to prepare teachers at all levels. I’m looking forward to sharing my findings at the annual meeting and beginning to implement this research.”
During the annual meeting, the winner of the Distinguished Dissertation in Teacher Education award will be announced. This award recognizes exemplary doctoral level research that substantially contributes to the improvement of teacher education. All Emerging Scholars are candidates for this award.
ABOUT MNU
MidAmerica Nazarene University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university founded in 1966. Offering 40 plus traditional undergraduate majors, the university is also known for its accelerated professional and graduate programs, including undergraduate degrees in management and nursing and graduate degrees in business, education, nursing, and counseling, and postgraduate certificates. Online offerings include classes in education, nursing and associate’s--level studies. Study abroad as well as service--learning experiences are encouraged through MNU’s Go Global, MNU Europe, and ServiceCorps programs. The campus is located on 105 acres in Olathe, Kan., and operates a location in Liberty, Mo., for professional and graduate programs. More information may be found at www.mnu.edu.