Arkansas Tech University alumna Dr. TeKyesha Gault Anderson is the winner of the 2022 Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Dissertation in Teacher Education Award.
A native of Lake Village and resident of Conway, Anderson obtained her Doctor of Education degree in school leadership from Arkansas Tech in May 2021. Her award-winning dissertation was entitled “Representation of Black Men Educators in K-12 Public Schools: Impact on Recruitment, Retention, and Responsibilities to Education.”
An abstract of Anderson’s dissertation is available at https://orc.library.atu.edu/etds_2021/11.
“I am extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Anderson. “This award is meaningful to me not only because it is an affirmation of my work, but also because it is an opportunity to shed light on the issue of disparate representation in education and to inspire others to confront the inequities that hinder student learning. I am humbled that my dissertation is being recognized in this prestigious way. I am indebted to the ATU Center for Leadership and Learning and Dr. Sarah Gordon, who, with grace, advised me throughout my entire doctoral program; Dr. John Freeman, my program coordinator; and Dr. Nancy Gallavan, who believed in my work enough to nominate me. All praises to the Most High.”
As the winner of the organization’s distinguished dissertation award, Anderson has been invited to present her research at the 2022 meeting of the Association of Teacher Educators Feb. 11-16 in Chicago, Ill.
“This research can be useful to K-12 public school districts to resolve issues involving the disparity of discipline practices among races of students as well as the relegation of the Black man educator to disciplinarian,” wrote Anderson in the abstract for her dissertation. “Colleges of Education can also use the research findings to aid in the development of much-needed courses regarding equity, representation, cultural awareness and the history of Black education.”
Anderson is employed as a clinical instructor at the University of Central Arkansas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UCA and a Master of Science degree in gifted education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Visit www.atu.edu/degrees/graduate/edd-school-leadership.php to learn more about the ATU Doctor of Education degree in school leadership.
