INTERIM SCHOOL OF EDUCATION DIRECTOR NAMED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 1999

Fairbanks, Alaska - Provost Paul Reichardt has appointed Roger Norris-Tull as interim director of the School of Education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Norris-Tull replaces Graduate School Dean Joe Kan, who has served as interim director since 1996.

One of the new interim director's first duties will be to lead the UAF School of Education's elementary teacher preparation program, which has been strengthened in response to Alaska and nationwide efforts to better prepare future teachers. After December 2002, the only university teacher preparation programs leading to Alaska Department of Education and Early Development certificates will be at the post-baccalaureate level.

During his first two weeks on the job, Norris-Tull plans to join UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind and Provost Reichardt for two public forums on the restructured preparation program. The first forum will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Wood Center Ballroom on the UAF campus. The second forum will be held in audio-conference format for students outside of Fairbanks on Thursday, Oct. 14.

Norris-Tull brings 30 years of experience in education to the interim position. After receiving his bachelor's degree in secondary education from Indiana University at Bloomington in 1969, Norris-Tull taught science and physical education in West Bend, Wisc. From 1973 to 1974, he taught science at Coeur d'Alene Middle School, but then went on to the University of Idaho to complete his own schooling. In 1975, Norris-Tull completed a master's degree in education with an emphasis in science education. He received his doctoral degree in education there two years later.

At the University of Idaho, Norris-Tull held several positions, including teaching and research assistant at the College of Education, assistant professor in exercise physiology and biomechanics at the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Head Track/Cross-Country Coach, visiting assistant professor for the College of Education and assistant professor of education from 1986 to 1992.

Since moving to Alaska in 1992, Norris-Tull has worked as an assistant professor for the UAF School of Education in rural/science education in Dillingham.

Throughout his career, Norris-Tull has received several awards for his teaching efforts. In 1973, he was named Outstanding Young Educator by the West Bend, Wisc. School District. He was also named NCAA Division I Track and Field Coach of the Year in 1984. Norris-Tull received the University of Idaho Student Association Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1990 and again two years later.

n 1994, the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey awarded Norris-Tull a commendation for earning the highest score in the United States on the certifying examination for PRAXIS III, a performance-based teacher assessment and evaluation program.

Norris-Tull has authored a number of scholarly publications and is active in public service at the state and national levels. He is currently involved with a National Science Foundation project in education and serves on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Board of Examiners.

In Alaska, Norris-Tull has served on many committees within the Alaska State Department of Education. His special skills and experience within Alaska will be of particular importance with UAF's restructured teaching preparation program, according to Lind.

"Dr. Norris-Tull is highly regarded not only by his colleagues, but especially by students as well," Lind said. "We're fortunate to have someone of his caliber here at UAF."

The recruitment process for the School of Education's permanent director will begin later this fall.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: A School of Education Fact Sheet, including new changes to the teacher preparation program, is available by calling (907) 474-7581.

CONTACT: Interim Director Roger Norris-Tull , UAF School of Education, at (907) 474-7341 or UAF Senior Public Information Officer Debra Damron at (907) 474-7122.

AS/JCS/10-4-99/00-017