David W. Hursh, associate professor of education at the University of Rochester, will receive this year's outstanding teacher educator award from the New York State Association of Teacher Educators on April 20 in Albany.

"David Hursh is a thoughtful, caring teacher who makes you think critically about education issues," says Laura Delehanty, one of his students who now teaches at East High School in a magnet program called the Teaching and Learning Institute. "I'm teaching in Rochester as a result of my classes with him . . . and I hope I continue to have the same kind of energy and commitment he has."

Hursh is director of teacher education at the University's Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development. His role includes designing programs, supervising student teaching placements and activities, and developing grant proposals to improve teacher education. Before joining the Warner School in 1989, Hursh co-directed an alternative university, led two private elementary schools, and has been a consultant on race and gender equity.

The award, named for R. Neal Appleby, a beloved educator of teachers at Syracuse University, is presented annually to an individual who works to nurture the intellectual and personal growth and development of teachers at various stages of their professional lives.

In a letter nominating Hursh for the award, Ellen M. Santora, assistant professor at the Warner School, pointed out Hursh's longtime advocacy for the rights of students, parents and teachers, most recently on the issue of high-stakes testing in schools.

Hursh is the author of many studies on democracy and schools, and last year co-edited a volume called Democratic Social Education: Social Studies for Social Change.