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SubscribeYoungs, Kang receive research awards from AERA
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) division focused on Teaching and Teacher Education (Div. K) will present two awards to individuals from the MSU College of Education this year. Peter Youngs, associate professor of teacher education, was selected to receive the Early Career Award, and Hosun Kang, a 2011 Ph.D. graduate of teacher education, is receiving the Outstanding Dissertation Award.
Youngs, who has been teaching in MSU’s secondary teacher preparation program for six years, is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of education within the early stages of his career. Specifically, his research regarding the measurement and promotion of teacher quality has gained the attention of educators, researchers and policymakers across the nation. Additionally, Youngs has written an extensive record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.
Youngs said working in the College of Education has directly contributed to the advancement of his career.
“The quality of mentoring has helped me enormously with grant-writing, carrying out research studies, writing for publication and teaching and advising at the university level,” he said. “I have also thoroughly enjoyed working with doctoral students in the Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education (CITE) and Educational Policy Ph.D. programs.”
Youngs was nominated by Ben Pogodzinski, an assistant professor of educational administration at Wayne State University, and Nate Jones, a research scientist at Educational Testing Service. Youngs served as a Ph.D. adviser to Pogodzinksi and Jones, who both earned a Ph.D. from MSU.
Kang is currently a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Washington. Her dissertation, Understanding How Secondary Science Teacher Candidates Learn to Teach: Analyzing the Role of Knowledge, Practice, and Professional Identity, revealed the relationship among secondary science teacher candidates’ depth of scientific knowledge and beliefs, the stance taken in a teacher education program and implications for science teacher education. Kang was recognized by AERA for her use of strong methodology and sound theoretical grounding. She conducted a case study of 14 teacher candidates, and presented the findings in multiple ways, including teaching videos, written lesson plans and interviews. Her data analysis then led to two sets of case studies of teachers in similar contexts.
Kang expressed her appreciation for the opportunities and learning experiences she received as a student at the MSU College of Education.
“I would like to thank my adviser, Dr. Charles W. Anderson for being supportive during the most difficult times, challenging and encouraging me,” Kang said. “I would also like to thank my committee, Suzanne Wilson, Christina Schwarz and Peter Youngs for giving me critical feedback. I am deeply appreciative to all faculty who worked with me, and to my college graduate students who listened my stories. I could not have done it without your support.”
Attending the AERA annual meeting? Keep in touch with your Spartan community on Twitter with the #MSUatAERA hashtag.
