Rori Carson, clinical associate professor in Teaching and Learning, retired from the University of Iowa College of Education in December of 2019, after more than 40 years of supporting future teachers.

Carson received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Special Education in 1993 from the University of Iowa College of Education. Carson returned to the University of Iowa College of Education as the associate director of UI REACH, eventually transitioning into her current role. Carson has been at the College of Education for the past five years.

“I chose to go into higher education because I really enjoyed working with a university-aged population, and felt that I could have a bigger impact on student learning if I taught teachers,” says Carson.

Throughout her career, Carson’s research focused on effective practices in teacher education and the effects of university students on students in the public schools. Carson discovered that university students can make a positive difference in the learning of public school students.

“We give students incredible experiences and we have marvelous relationships with the schools in the region and they provide an excellent laboratory setting for our students to learn good skills,” Carson says.

Carson says she is going to miss being a decision-maker in the college and being able to help good programs improve, and will miss her colleagues and students.

“I have always felt like I have contributed to programmatic improvements that result in positive changes for teacher candidates, and I will miss that,” Carson says. “I worked with wonderful people. Teacher educators are very dedicated to their students and there are some really exciting research and program changes going on here in the College of Education.”