Dean Selected for National Fellowship to Strengthen Educator Preparation

July 16, 2026 - 22:58

William Paterson University's School of Education leader David Fuentes has been selected as one of 24 educators nationwide for a prestigious fellowship aimed at improving how teachers are prepared for the classroom. The program, run by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, picks deans and directors who show a strong commitment to reshaping educator preparation programs.

Fuentes, who serves as the dean of the College of Education, will join a cohort of peers from across the country to work on new strategies for training future teachers. The fellowship focuses on closing the gap between what new teachers learn in college and what they actually face in real classrooms. Participants will spend the next year studying best practices, sharing data, and developing action plans for their own institutions.

The selection committee noted Fuentes' work in building partnerships with local school districts and his focus on diversity in the teaching workforce. His project will likely address how to better support student teachers during their first years in the field.

William Paterson officials said the fellowship puts the university at the center of national conversations about teacher quality. Fuentes called the opportunity a chance to bring fresh ideas back to New Jersey and to help shape the next generation of educators. The program includes mentoring from veteran deans and access to research on effective teaching methods.