Rebecca West Burns
Community Engaged Scholar of Clinically Based Teacher Education
As a community engaged scholar, I have a passion for uniting schools and universities to empower teachers, improve PK-12 outcomes for students, and transform schools and Colleges of Education. Collaboration is a central feature and ethic of my community engaged scholarship.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Email: burns@kutztown.edu
www.rebeccawestburns.com
Click here to download a copy of my current curriculum vitae.
Rebecca West Burns, Ph.D. is the dean of the College of Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Burns is a nationally recognized scholar of clinically based teacher education in the United States where she studies school-university partnerships, supervision, and teacher leadership. She has held several leadership positions in national organizations like the National Association for School-University Partnerships, the Council of Scholars of Instructional Supervision, and the American Educational Research Association School-University Partnership Research Special Interest Group. Her influential work has shaped the national landscape of school-university partnerships and the evolution of several national organizations in teacher education. Burns has also designed award-winning teacher education programs and has received national recognition for her impact on urban education. With nearly 100 publications, including 5 books, and over 150 presentations, Burns is a prolific scholar and a leader in her field. She has delivered keynote addresses across the United States and given invited presentations internationally. Throughout her career, Burns has been a steadfast advocate for the crucial role of school-university partnerships in preparing high-quality teachers for our nation’s schools and for addressing key issues like the national teacher shortage.
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2023 - Present
2021 - 2023
2018 - 2021
Dean and Professor
College of Education
Bill Herrold Endowed Professor
Director of Clinical Practice and Educational Partnerships
Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum
College of Education and Human Services
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus
Associate Professor
2012 - 2018
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus
Assistant Professor
Department of Childhood Education and Literacy Studies (2012-2015)
2007 - 2012
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Supervision
Dissertation Title: Conceptualizing Supervision in the Professional Development School Context: A Case Analysis
Graduate Assistant, Elementary Professional Development School
Professional Development Associate, Elementary Professional Development School
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate Graduate Representative
College of Education Faculty Council Graduate Representative
PUBLIC SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
2002 - 2007
Boyertown Area School District
Elementary Educator (Grade 6), Gilbertsville Elementary School, Gilbertsville, PA
Outdoor Learning Classrooms Project Founder and Chairperson
Science Curriculum Committee Member
Mathematics Remediation Teacher
First Energy Education Advisory Council Member
School Advisory Committee Member
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
2002 – 2008
The Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
Science Education Concentration
PROFESSIONAL AND LEARNED SOCIETIES
Current
Since 2013
Since 2012
Since 2012
Since 2008
Since 2008
Since 2005
Past
2010 - 2015
2008 - 2010
2007 - 2012
2002 - 2008
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
2018
Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Education Impact Award from the Council of Great City Colleges of Education
Awarded for the Mort Teacher Leader Academy, which I co-created and co-facilitated since 2013 with William Woodland Johnson III, Principal of Mort Elementary Community Partnership School
According to the Council for Great City Schools, this national award honors “an outstanding partnership between a university and an urban school district that has had a positive and significant impact on student learning.”
2018
Florida Compact Campus-Community Partnership Award
Awarded to the University of South Florida College of Education and Hillsborough County Public Schools for the Mort Teacher Leader Academy, which I co-created and co-facilitated since 2013 with William Woodland Johnson III, Principal of Mort Elementary Community Partnership School.
According to their web site, this state award honors, “…outstanding campus-community partnerships that produce measurable improvements in and demonstrate a commitment to a community while enhancing higher education.”
2017
Claudia A. Balach Teacher Research Award from the American Educational Research Association Professional Development School Research Special Interest Group
Awarded to the collaborative research group from the Mort Teacher Leader Academy: Rebecca West Burns (lead faculty researcher), Woodland Johnson (Principal), Amanda Bellas (Teacher Leader), Francesca Perrone-Britt (Teacher), Kristen Hodges (Teacher).
This national award recognizes exemplary practitioner research in or on professional development schools.
2016
University of South Florida Outstanding Community Engaged Teaching Award
This university-wide award “recognizes excellence, innovation, and effectiveness in teaching that demonstrates community collaboration, institutional impact, and deeply engaged, high-quality teaching.” I won this award for the creation and impact of the Mort Teacher Leader Academy.
2014
National Association for Professional Development Schools Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement Award
This national award was given to The University of South Florida Elementary Education Program and Hillsborough County Public Schools for their exemplary partnership to prepare high quality teachers. I was a key member of the program development and program nomination team
2014
Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Program in Teacher Education
This national award was given to the University of South Florida Elementary Education Program and Hillsborough County Public Schools for their collaboration in designing an exemplary teacher preparation program. I was a key member of the program development and the program nomination team.