Hartman Named New Dean of Education

Wayland Baptist University announced that the Don Williams School of Education will be under new leadership during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Dr. Sarah Hartman has been hired as new Dean of the School and Associate Professor of Education, effective July 1. Dr. Rachel Torres has also been added as the Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Education, taking her position officially on July 16.

Hartman will replace Dr. Gene Whitfill who will remain in the School of Education for at least one more year, with undetermined plans to retire. Whitfill, who served as the Dean since 2016, will be an important part of Hartman's transition into the new position.

Hartman holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Alabama as well as a master's degree in elementary education from Alabama State University. She completed her bachelor's degree at San Diego State University. She comes to Wayland after spending the previous academic year as the STAR academy gifted education teacher at East Junior High School in Somerville, Tenn. Previously, she was chair of the College of Education at Freed-Hardeman University, and has teaching experience at the College of Coastal Georgia.

Wayland Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Cindy McClenagan said Hartman's experience will be invaluable as the school not only transitions in leadership, but also in its approach to preparing students for certification.

"Dr. Hartman's recent experience with the edTPA will be a great asset as the state of Texas transitions to this new teacher certification and preparation program," McClenagan said. The edTPA is essentially a national standardized test to ensure teachers trained in different locations have comparable knowledge and skills.

A West Texas native, Torres comes to Wayland from San Diego, Calif., where she served as program manager for the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. Prior to working with AVID, Torres was the Associate Dean of Career, Technical, & Workforce Education at Odessa College. She has also served s the Interim Dean of Education and Associate Dean of Education at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in curriculum and instruction, a master's degree in linguistics and a bachelor's degree all from Texas Tech University. She has been teaching adjunctly and online for Wayland since 2016.

WBU and the School of Education are preparing to welcome students back to campus. Classes for the fall semester will begin on Aug. 12 and end prior to the Thanksgiving break. Finals will be held online the week following Thanksgiving. The School of Education has adjusted its clinical teaching schedules as well. Wayland offers teacher preparation in elementary, middle school, high school and special education, both online and face-to-face.

 

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