Dec. 9, 2024
By Theodora John Milton
Dr. Suzanne Nesmith, Baylor School of Education associate professor and a leader in science and engineering education, has been recognized with the ADoT Distinguished Service Award for her exceptional contributions to teacher preparation at the university level. ADoT, the Associate and Assistant Deans and Directors of Texas, presents only one yearly award, chosen by a selection committee that reviews numerous packets submitted by nominators who must be employed by a Texas university-based educator-preparation program or a Texas P-12 school. The prestigious award honors former or current associate and assistant deans or directors who have significantly impacted the field of teacher preparation. The award was presented this fall at the statewide meeting of the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education (CSOTTE).
In presenting the award, Dr. Gina Anderson, associate dean for educator preparation and partnerships at Texas Woman’s University and president of ADoT, praised Nesmith’s selection saying, “Dr. Nesmith’s dedication and achievements surpass the qualities of an exemplary servant leader.”
Nesmith has dedicated her career to enhancing teaching practices and fostering a deeper understanding of STEM subjects. She served as Baylor School of Education Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education from 2016-2024. She came to Baylor as a science educator in 2009 from Wayland Baptist University, where she had served as the associate dean and assistant professor of elementary education. She was an elementary- and middle-level classroom teacher for 16 years.
Sandra Parnell, the associate director of certification and program accountability for Baylor University, recounted how, as associate dean, Nesmith “became Baylor’s voice at the state level,” providing testimony at the State Board of Education. “She is a strong advocate for the teaching profession and works to share this message every opportunity that comes her way,” Parnell said.
Dr. Christina Sinclair, associate dean in the College of Education at Stephen F. Austin State University, said, “Dr. Nesmith has left a legacy in the state of Texas in all the many ways she has made an impact on the teaching profession.” Sinclair noted that Nesmith also testified regularly at the State Board for Educator Preparation, advocating for programs and practices that push for excellence in the educator preparation programs.
Nesmith’s research has been published in renowned journals such as the International Journal of Science Education and the Journal of Chemical Education. Her research explores the intersection of content, instructional strategies, and context, shedding light on how these elements influence student learning. Her dedication to advancing science education has been recognized with numerous awards, including the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) Award for Excellence in Integrating Science and Mathematics. She has served as President of SSMA, the Education Deans of Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (EDICUT), and of ADoT.
Nesmith said, “It is an incredible honor to be recognized by colleagues from across the state and within Baylor for service towards making a positive impact on all those involved in and touched by the teaching profession. I have been fortunate to profess my calling as an educator for 41 years. With my career as a formal educator coming to a close, this award touches my heart and reminds me that when you follow your calling, you will be blessed in infinite ways.”
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For more than 100 years, the School of Education has advanced Baylor’s mission across the globe while preparing students for a range of careers focused on education, leadership, and human development. With more than 65 full-time faculty members, the school’s growing research portfolio complements its long-standing commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring. Baylor’s undergraduate program in teacher education has earned national distinction for innovative partnerships with local schools that provide future teachers deep clinical preparation. Likewise, the School of Education’s graduate programs have attained national recognition for their exemplary preparation of research scholars, educational leaders, innovators, and clinicians. Visit the School of Education website to learn more.
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.