Five questions for David Andrews
David Andrews is dean of the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University. Established in 2007, the School of Education offers doctoral and other graduate programs. It enrolls about 2,000 students and awards more than 500 master’s degrees annually. Grounded in the Johns Hopkins tradition of research and innovation, the School of Education currently receives more funded research than any other graduate school of education in the United States. The School of Education’s work is supported by three nationally recognized research and development centers: the Center for Research and Reform in Education, the Center for Social Organization of Schools, and the Center for Technology in Education. Earlier this year, the School of Education established the Institute for Education Policy, which will offer research-based direction to policy makers to aid in the development of more effective approaches to educational practice.
What was your first role working in education?
I volunteered in a kindergarten classroom in Pensacola, Fla. during my senior year in high school. My first paid job in education was as an early intervention specialist with high-risk preschool children.
What is one pivotal moment in your career in educator preparation that left a positive impact on you or others?
I had the opportunity to merge a traditional college of education with a college of human science toward creating a more holistic view of the development of individuals, families, and communities. The subsequent realization that systems-level change is required was pivotal in my career.
Why did you decide to join Deans for Impact?
We, as educational leaders, need to raise our expectations of educator-preparation programs and “own” an accountability process that leads to better student learning outcomes. The assembly of like-minded leaders willing to commit to this goal is a great start. Now, we need to stand behind the commitment with action.
What most excites you about the opportunity to transform the field of educator preparation in the years ahead?
The potential to assure that all children have access to talented teachers who have the skills and resources to guarantee learning.
What is one surprising thing that everyone should know about the program you lead?
While we are very proud of the quality of graduates we produce, we have considerably more work to do before we can ensure that every graduate is maximizing learning for the students they serve.
Editor’s Note: This post is part of an ongoing series featuring Q&As with all the member deans of Deans for Impact.
David Andrews
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