It is my pleasure to welcome you to American University’s School of Education (AU SOE). As Dean, I can proudly say that our School is a vibrant learning environment where faculty, staff, students, alum, and community members regularly engage in active learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, rigorous scientific discovery, and passionate advocacy and community-based engagement. Whether online or in-person, our distinguished faculty and staff members work every day to achieve our vision of an antiracist and equity-driven community in which all students are given the support they need to realize their unique potential and develop the creativity and resilience that will lead to a successful career in education. We are also proud of our diverse offerings for achieving a degree in education. For instance, we offer a Teacher Pipeline Project for DC students interested in teaching and most recently, we added a new executive, online certificate program in Antiracist School Leadership. Our goal is to provide multiple pathways and modalities for students to achieve their goal/s of becoming educator!

Washington, DC is an exceptional place to pursue a degree in education because of the rich and diverse education settings that surround us---public schools, charter schools, education non-profits, government agencies, etc. And, our work environment at AU, in every dimension, reflects both the aspirations and unlimited opportunities in teaching and learning, leadership development, policymaking, and community organizing. As such, joining us brings a multitude of possibilities, from observing world-class special educators in a unique lab school setting to acquiring knowledge and skills in international education policy.

As you explore our website, I hope you will discover our dedication to helping students thrive and find joy in learning. We truly believe that education is a social determinant of various aspects of our lives---health/nutrition, justice, community development, and economic stability. Matter of fact, this is evidenced by our interdisciplinary approach to learning and our graduates’ accomplishments in diverse career fields. Life at the AU SOE is full of excitement and most important, it’s a place where classrooms come alive with purpose through conversation, collaboration, and hands-on experiences. 

I hope you’ll join us at AU SOE! 

Best,
Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy
Twitter: @chm91364