Jo Beth Jimerson, Ph.D., came to TCU because of its teacher-scholar model. And now she’s been awarded for it. The associate professor of educational leadership received the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar for 2021.
“The teacher-scholar model is one of the main reasons I came to TCU,” Jimerson said. “I wanted to work with the people who are going to be affecting kids in the classrooms. The ability to do that at multiple levels is really something I take great joy in, but also the ability to do research with those students and on my own to affect how we improve schools is something that really mattered to me.”
The Chancellor’s Award recognizes extraordinary creative teaching and scholarship. Jimerson received the award at Fall Convocation.
“Since joining TCU in the Fall 2011 semester, this person has established themselves as a valued teacher, researcher, mentor and colleague, working at the intersection of teaching, research and service,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. when presenting the award.
The past year gave Jimerson a chance to put her knowledge to work quite unlike any other.
“While her achievements are truly remarkable, it is critical to note that from December 2019 through December 2020, she served as interim director/principal of TCU’s two laboratory schools, Starpoint and KinderFrogs,” wrote a nominator. “This required her to be on duty Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., managing the campuses, aiding the teachers and working with children and their families – much of the time – during an unparalleled global pandemic. It is utterly remarkable that she shouldered this demanding schedule and the complexities of this work while managing to teach classes, conduct and publish research, support the educational leadership, and successfully assist her doctoral students.”
Each academic dean selects an honoree at the college/school level, and these are submitted to the chancellor as nominees for the university-wide award. The winner receives $25,000, and nominees each receive $2,500.