May 9, 2025
Dr. Tony Talbert, professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, was recognized with the Baylor Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenured Faculty. With a nearly 40-year career as a public school and higher education teaching scholar, Talbert has been and continues to be a significant influence in the lives of his students and on the success of learning communities.
“Dr. Talbert’s contributions to student success, innovations in teaching and research, and inspiration in the lives of the students and faculty with whom he serves render him an exceptional recipient of this prestigious award,” said Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, dean of the School of Education.
Talbert said he is called to be a teacher, so he approaches it with serious commitment and dedication, entering each classroom ready to meet the changing needs of students, schools, and communities.
“As a teaching scholar and mentor to my students, I have been guided by my belief that excellent teaching is both strategic and serendipitous, always intentional yet open to unexpected opportunities for learning,” he said.
Talbert began his career as a public school history and government teacher, applying his previous training as a stage actor to engage his students in the exploration of the human story by integrating the students’ own lived experiences with the historic drama and comedy that encompassed the lives of the characters and events being studied.
He entered higher education teaching in 1997 and taught at Sam Houston State, Mississippi State, and the University of Houston before coming to Baylor in 2002. In 2014 Talbert took a research sabbatical to return to teaching in a high school history classroom for a semester. He said it provided him the opportunity to learn about evolving practices in public schools and bring fresh insights to the Baylor teacher-education program.
Talbert is known for his distinctive ability to bridge theory with practice, making complex ideas assessable and inspiring students to apply them in meaningful ways. His classroom presence includes masterful storytelling and unconventional approaches to fostering critical thinking.
“The first class I had with Dr. Talbert confirmed my desire to be a teacher,” said Amy Richardson, BA ’05, now an elementary librarian. “His enthusiasm and innovative ideas make boredom in class impossible. He understands his students as people, and he wants to build relationships with them throughout their journey at Baylor.”
At Baylor, Talbert has led several special initiatives, served as an associate dean of the School of Education two different times, and held the titles of department chair, graduate program coordinator, and secondary education program coordinator. He has directed the Baylor study-abroad program, Interns in England, for many years, recently leading its expansion to encompass graduate students.
A prolific researcher focused on qualitative studies, Talbert has published 55 articles, with 40 percent co-authored with graduate students. For his 134 research presentations, 60 percent have been with students.
School of Education PhD student Jessica McKamie, a former teacher whose doctoral scholarship is focused on qualitative research methodologies, said that when she gave presentations at academic conferences, professors from other universities have asked her if Talbert was her advisor. “His students are identifiable by the high quality of mentoring and expertise he provides,” she said.
Chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Trena Wilkerson said, “Dr. Talbert is a master teacher, and his impact has been felt not only within the classrooms at Baylor, but well beyond, as our students carry what they have learned from him into their own classrooms and professional work. I have seen and witnessed first-hand the profound impact he has had on our students.”
Colleague Dr. Jon Singletary, dean of the Diana J. Garland School of Social Work, said Talbert’s core beliefs make him an excellent educator. “He cares about making people feel seen, and in doing so he is living out the mission of Baylor University,” he said.
Talbert said he is grateful for the chance to live his dream. “In the journey of life, there is a profound magic in uncovering that unique talent — no, that driving passion — that you excel at. For me, that passion is teaching,” he said. “And then, imagine this — to be given the gift of dedicating your life to pursuing this passion and sharing this talent with those around you. Indeed, this is the true essence of a joyous and jubilant existence.”
Talbert is one of three School of Education faculty members to receive an outstanding faculty designation from the University for 2025. Dr. Sandi Cooper, associate dean for undergraduate education and professor of mathematics education in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Significant Contributions to the Academic Community. Dr. Sarah Mire, LP, NCSP, LSSP, associate professor of educational psychology and faculty affiliate with the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, received an award for scholarship among tenured faculty.
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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.
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