Dr. Jean Ann Box, associate dean of the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies since 1996, has been named acting dean of the education school, effective Oct. 15.
Dr. Box will assume the primary leadership and administrative responsibilities of the education school until a new dean is selected, said Â鶹¹û¶³ Provost J. Bradley Creed. The dean's position is open because of Dr. Ruth C. Ash's resignation to become Deputy Superintendent of Schools for Alabama.
"Dr. Box has served with distinction on Â鶹¹û¶³'s faculty since 1989," said Dr. Creed. "We are fortunate to have a person of her experience and skills to serve in this capacity, and I am looking forward to working with her in providing guidance and support to the School of Education during this time of transition."
Box also serves as chair of Â鶹¹û¶³'s award-winning Teacher Education Department, which includes the Children's Learning Center, a state-of-the-art facility that provides services for children ages six weeks through four years.
She received her B.S. degree from Auburn University, where she majored in early childhood education, and her M.S., Ed.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Before joining Â鶹¹û¶³, she taught kindergarten and first grade in the Birmingham City School System from 1977 until 1987. During this period, she taught K-4 students for one summer in Lamorlaye, France.
Box received the George Macon Teaching Award at Â鶹¹û¶³ in 1992 and the Outstanding Alumni Early Childhood Education Award from the UAB School of Education in 1997.
She has presented at state and national conferences, addressing issues such as teacher education renewal, restructuring higher education, improving teachers, writing PBL problems, literacy development in young children and other issues.