Sanders Named Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader

Monday, April 7, 2014

Jennifer Sanders, associate professor in the College of Education’s School of Teaching and Curriculum Leadership, is the recipient of the OSU Division of International Studies and Outreach’s 2013-14 Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader.

A member of the reading and literacy faculty, Sanders annually leads a service learning travel course to Belize.

Since 2010, she has trained 40 graduate and undergraduate OSU students (many of whom are classroom teachers as well) and Oklahoma teachers in the latest research and techniques for improving literacy. In collaboration with Peacework, a nonprofit organization that works to ensure education programs implemented in developing nations address community-defined needs, Sanders partners with a school with a need for teacher training in literacy. After preparing her students in concepts of multicultural education and literacy techniques, she travels with them to the partner school where they co-teach carefully designed literacy lessons with Belizean teachers.  Sanders and the graduate students also design and facilitate professional development workshops for the teachers, up to 40% of whom have little or no professional education training.

Sanders will be honored during the President’s Leadership Recognition Ceremony on April 23.