School of Education

Established in 1961

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1693 King William III and Queen Mary II granted a charter to establish the College of William and Mary in Virginia. 1716 The grammar and Indian schools are the first schools established in the College.
1888 Hugh Stockdell Bird, a graduate of Peabody Normal College, is hired immediately as the first Professor of Methods and Pedagogics. Prof. Bird establishes the first practice teaching experience for the normal students, engaging them to tutor under-prepared students admitted to the College.
1894 The Matthew Whaley Model and Practice (Primary) School opens as a cooperative relationship between the Normal School and the City of Williamsburg, with Lucy L. Davis as the Principal and advanced normal students as staff.
1908 "The State Normal College" offers one-year short courses to non-matriculates in School Laws and Systems, School Management, Organization and Supervision, Principles and Methods of Instruction, Psychology, Observation and Practice Teaching, etc.
1918 An Act to Provide for Admission of Women to the College of William and Mary in Virginia is signed into law allowing women to attend both the collegiate and normal courses. Nineteen young women form the first co-ed student cohort.
1961 January 14. The Board of Visitors authorizes a School of Education for the Colleges of William and Mary, centralized at the Williamsburg campus to begin operation in September. Howard K. Holland was named Dean of the School of Education. As chair of the Department of Education, Dr. Holland proposed reestablishing the School of Education to the Board of Visitors in 1960.
1974 After being housed around campus - in Washington Hall and even in the Methodist Church at College Corner - the School of Education is consolidated in Hugh Jones Hall.
1974 With encouragement from Dean James M. Yankovich, the faculty using their professional expertise and affording practical experience to graduate students, initiates new outreach services that provide assistance to local and regional populations. Dean Yankovich served as Dean 1974 - 83 and Acting Dean 1993 - 95.
1983 - 1993 Dean John M. Nagle broadens the reach of the faculty and school, encouraging a national perspective and involvement. Dean Nagle establishes the School of Education Development Board signaling a new era in fund-raising for the School and starting an Annual Fund. An in-house development office follows.
1985 Dr. Armand J. Galfo becomes the Heritage Professor of Education, inaugurating the achievement of endowed professorships by education faculty members. Two School of Education endowed chairs follow: The Jody and Layton Smith Professor of Psychology and Gifted Education (1987) and the Pavey Chair in Educational Technology (2000).
1995 Dean Virginia McLaughlin steers a strategic planning effort that streamlines the organization of the faculty into three units of professional association: Curriculum and Instruction, School Psychology and Counselor Education and Education Policy, Planning and Leadership.
2010 The School of Education moves into its new building. Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital donates the 22 acre site, the largest corporate gift received by the College, and the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia appropriates $48M for planning, design, and construction of the new facilty.
2011 The School of Education celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its establishment by the Board of Visitors in 1961.

Visit the History Timeline

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School of Education

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