ASU dean talks teacher prep with education-focused nonprofit

Mari Koerner, dean of Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, recently visited the Houston office of Reasoning Mind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing every child with a first-rate math education.

On Sept. 17, the organization published a brief interview they conducted with Koerner during her visit. In the interview, Koerner addresses the evolution of teacher preparation over the years, how Teachers College is raising the status of the teaching profession and her advice to novice teachers.

“We’re gaining a reputation for being a teacher prep program that invests in a lot of research,” she replied when asked about the college. “One of our programs, edXchange, translates research into a digestible format for teachers to use in the classroom. Research in education is not irrelevant, and can really make a difference for the practice.”

While she noted that teaching is certainly difficult – and perseverance is a key to success – she added that the rewards that come with the profession are worth the challenges.

“Truly, there are rewards in teaching that you don’t get anywhere else,” Koerner said. “The relationships you build with your students last. Your students will have an impact on your life, and you will have an impact on their lives.”