Edward F. Pajak, a nationally recognized expert on professional development for teachers, has been appointed chair of the Department of Leadership and Teacher Development in SPSBE's Graduate Division of Education.

Pajak has been on the faculty of the University of Georgia since 1982 and co-director of Georgia's Teacher Quality Plan, a university-based statewide initiative, since 1999.

Ralph Fessler, dean of SPSBE, said, "Ed Pajak has built an extraordinary record, and reputation, as an innovative researcher, writer, advocate and teacher of professional development in education. We are extremely pleased to have him join our faculty."

Pajak is the author of four books, including Approaches to Clinical Supervision: Alternatives for Improving Instruction, 17 book chapters and numerous research reports and articles. He received his bachelor of science degree from New York's State University College at Buffalo and his doctorate from Syracuse University.

Noting that the high-quality preparation and professional development of teachers and educational leaders is "a matter if great concern to policy-makers at the state and national levels," Pajak said that SPSBE's existing "strong partnership with educators, combined with its talented faculty and outstanding programs of teaching and research, presents unique opportunities for continuing to build and expand exceptionally fine programs for the preparing and developing of professional educators."