UT Tyler Professor Selected to Join Academy of Distinguished Teachers

AUSTIN � Five distinguished professors, including one from UT Tyler, will be inducted into The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 22. Neil Gray is a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry UTT. Gray, who is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, is co-director of UT Tyler�s UTeach program. According to a UT System news release, UTeach prepares high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers.

According to the release, the Academy of Distinguished Teachers was created to recognize outstanding educators at UT�s nine academic institutions, and all members must be past recipients of the Regents� Outstanding Teaching Award. Officials say this year�s inductees have expertise that ranges from postmodern British fiction to training the next generation of energy leaders at the intersection of engineering, policy, and commercialization.

�The Academy honors the best of the best,� said UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D. �It recognizes educators, not only those who are leaders in their field, but also those who are committed to improving teaching System-wide.�

�This is the second year that the University of Texas System honors outstanding educators across our nine academic institutions,� said Pedro Reyes, UT System Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. �These professors have all demonstrated commitment and leadership in education, and they will serve on a System-wide advisory and advocacy group promoting exemplary undergraduate learning across the entire System.�

Members of the Academy serve as a System-level advocacy group dedicated to enhancing teaching, fostering innovation in the classroom, and promoting interdisciplinary perspectives on education, according to the release. Visit http://www.utsystem.edu/offices/academic-affairs/university-texas-system-academy-distinguished-teachers for more information.