Mission Statement

Recognizing that UTSA is the premier institution in higher education in South Texas, the Academy for Teacher Excellence (ATE) supports and is grounded on the concept of COEHD’s “Great Teacher Initiative.” ATE will be catalyst for the emergence of the COEHD as a nationally recognized leader in the preparation of teachers for a diverse student population and for increasing the number of Hispanic culturally and linguistically diverse students who enroll and graduate with bachelors and advanced degrees in education. ATE’s mission as supported by Title V is to collaborate with San Antonio College (SAC) In:

1. Supporting Hispanic students to over come financial, psycho-social, and institutional barriers that traditionally hinder their full participation in a university program;
2. Increasing the sensitivity and preparation of faculty to address these barriers within their delivery of instruction and “sphere of influence”;
3. Increasing the number of UTSA and SAC teacher preparation programs that become nationally recognized by their success in addressing the increasing cultural and linguistic diversity of the student population in this country;
4. Conducting quantitative and qualitative research that informs administrators, teachers, university faculty and community members with “best practices” that close the educational gap and set the educational standard among diverse student groups in this country;
5. Creating school, community and university linkages that assume responsibility to “leave no child behind” and are accountable for the academic success of all students through a seamless K-16 educational system.