New School of Education, New Dean to Lead

With the goal of educating students in new and different approaches to become teachers for the 21st century, Merrimack College has created a School of Education.

Dr. Dan Butin was selected to serve as first and founding dean for the new School of Education.

In this new position, Dr. Butin will lead strategic planning efforts that will identify and address the needs of school districts in Massachusetts, while promoting excellence in teaching, scholarship and community service. He will explore partnerships with superintendents in the Merrimack Valley as well as with other institutions of higher education, and will also lead planning for Merrimack’s major educational conference on preparing teachers for the future being held in April 2010. 

“I look forward to the opportunity to lead Merrimack’s School of Education and bring together the strengths of the undergraduate and graduate education programs,” said Dr. Butin. “Educational policy and practice is at a critical crossroads in America, and Merrimack College should have a place at the table, locally, regionally, and nationally. Our goal is to prepare educators who make a difference in their classrooms, schools, and communities. I welcome these exciting developments and to joining a thriving community of students, faculty, and administrators at Merrimack.”
 
Dr. Butin holds a Ph.D. in social foundations of education from the University of Virginia, and is the editor and author of over fifty books, articles, and book chapters, including the books Teaching Social Foundations of Education, and Service-Learning in Theory and Practice: The Future of Community Engagement in Higher Education.

Dr. Butin’s research focuses on issues of educator preparation and policy and community engagement. He has been the assistant dean of the school of education at Cambridge College and a faculty member at Gettysburg College. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Butin taught middle school, in an adult GED program, and was the chief financial officer of Teacher For America.

About Merrimack College’s New School of Education
Merrimack’s new School of Education has a goal of preparing educators in new and different approaches to becoming teachers for the 21st century. The School builds on Merrimack’s existing Education Department, and will emphasize those skills that have become and will continue to be in demand and, ultimately, contribute to a highly-skilled workforce in the future.  In collaboration with local public and private school districts Pre-K – 12, the School of Education will identify and implement solutions that meet the needs of educators today and in the future.

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