Professor Joan Shiring Receives Massey Award - September 10, 2007

Dr. Joan Shiring, a clinical associate professor in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey Award for Excellence in Teacher Education. The Massey Award recognizes a “teacher of teachers,” one who inspires and prepares future elementary and secondary school instructors. Dr. Shiring will be honored with the $12,000 award at a ceremony to be held in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on Thursday, September 20.

Dr. Shiring currently serves as a clinical associate professor in the Language and Literacy Studies area of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She has been a faculty member in the College of Education for twenty years and is the coordinator of the Secondary English Language Arts program.   Dr. Shiring’s major contributions and teaching include teaching for the UTeach Liberal Arts program, participating in the Warren Fellowship Program and the Teacher Education Diversity Initiative, integrating technology in the classroom and working with urban schools and students.

Manuel Justiz, Dean of the College of Education, said of Joan, “As a non-tenure track faculty member who has been focused on teacher preparation full time, Joan has been simply remarkable in the commitment, dedication and expertise she exhibits. She epitomizes a model teacher by staying abreast of the field while making important contributions such as emphasizing technology integration and developing online resource centers. Her current students are very appreciative of her guidance and support, but her former students adore her. They have learned through experience how important and beneficial her instruction has been.”

Dr. Shiring was selected by a committee of University of Texas representatives and alumni who are active in public education. Student evaluations and the recommendations of peers, students and program directors were used to evaluate the candidates from the university’s seven teacher preparation programs.

Named for Elizabeth “Libba” Shatto Massey, the award was created by UT alumnus John Massey to honor his wife’s lifelong dedication to public education. Libba received her degree in education in 1961 from The University of Texas and pursued a career in teaching. She remains committed to education and serves as chair of The College of Education Advisory Council and is an endowed member of the Executive Committee of the Chancellor’s Council for The University of Texas System.

Rewarding excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional achievement has been a central theme of Texas Exes activities. The Association also awards the Texas Exes Teaching Awards, James W. Vick Texas Exes Awards for Academic Advising and the Jean Holloway Award for Excellence in Teaching.

—Ex-Students' Association, The University of Texas at Austin, 512-471-8839

Related Links:

• Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Language and Literacy Studies Program