Alabama A&M University News August 2, 2022 A&M's CEHBS Joins Table at First ATE Initiative An administrator and educator representing Alabama A&M University's College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CEHBS) will participate in the inaugural "Inquiry Initiative" during the five-day summer conference of the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) in Nashville, Tenn. Dr. Samantha Strachan, CEHBS interim dean, and Dr. Nathan Blom, assistant professor of secondary education in the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership, are among only 80 educators and scholars selected to participate in the first-ever ATE event. The Initiative is a "first of its kind" collaborative exploration of teacher education practices and research, focused on "opportunity gaps" in education. Opportunity gaps are defined as the unequal or inequitable distribution of resources and options individuals or groups encounter in schools, colleges and universities, and employment and professional contexts. In describing the rationale of the important new structure, ATE President Rachelle Rogers, said: "ATE is committed to exploring ways teacher education scholars and practitioners can impact the pressing teaching and learning challenges of our time. The Inquiry Initiative is a unique, sustainable, and collaborative structure that we believe can have that impact." The Initiative aims to cultivate and support collaborative research inquiries across geographic and institutional contexts over a three-year span. Imagined as an alternative to the traditional "drive-thru" mode of professional engagement available via most academic conferences, the Initiative will include sustained and sustainable professional partnerships that result in pedagogical innovations, research reports and presentations, and education policies. The Association of Teacher Educators is the nation's oldest professional organization dedicated to the preparation of teachers. It aims to promote advocacy, equity, leadership, and professionalism for teacher educators in all settings and supports quality education for all learners at all levels. An individual membership organization, ATE enhances quality teacher education through both exemplary clinical practice and research. Sandra M. Phoenix, Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance 678-210-5801 ext. 101 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Seek justice, honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/