LETTER: Butler’s teacher school leads in ed reform

For decades, I have admired the many positive changes made by Marian University President Dan Elsener, both at Marian and previously as superintendent of the Archdiocesan schools. He is a tremendous thinker and leader. I did appreciate his op-ed piece in last week’s Indianapolis Business Journal re: education and the proud announcement of the Next Generation Scholarship [Elsener: Marian tries new tack in teacher prep, Dec. 19].

I would be remiss, as a member of Butler University’s College of Education Board of Visitors, if we failed to acknowledge the outstanding job Dr. Ena Shelley and her professional staff are doing. For 21 years, Butler’s College of Education has had a one-year student-teacher experience and were the first in the state to do so. Further, Butler has created two Lab Schools and are seeing remarkable success. The Butler Clinical Preparation Program was named one of our country’s “Best Practices” by both the U.S. Department of Education and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. In other words, Butler University’s College of Education continues to lead the much-needed education reform movement.

Bottom line, my note is not about who gets credit or who did something first. More importantly, it is about the dynamic and remarkable work being done at both Butler and Marian universities in order to best prepare our teachers to provide a great education of our schools. We owe our children nothing less.
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Dennis Southerland