This episode of the Big Ten Network’s Out of the Blue series features the U-M School of Education’s plan to refocus its teacher education program on skills of professional practice.  The correct approach to K-12 is being debated and evaluated across the country. The University of Michigan School of Education is taking action by revamping its curriculum to better prepare teachers.

Deborah Loewenberg Ball is the William H. Payne Collegiate Professor in education at the University of Michigan, and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor. She currently serves as dean of the School of Education and as director of a new organization called TeachingWorks. She taught elementary school for more than 15 years, and continues to teach mathematics to elementary students every summer.

Ball’s research focuses on the practice of mathematics instruction, and on the improvement of teacher training and development. She is an expert on teacher education and has served on the National Mathematics Advisory Panel and the National Board for Education Sciences. She currently heads the Governor’s Council on Educator Effectiveness, which in July released its recommendations for a statewide evaluation system for Michigan teachers and administrators.

Ball holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University.