Dr. William B. Stanley, professor of education, will receive a distinguished alumni award from Rutgers University Graduate School of Education on April 6. Stanley graduated from Rutgers in 1979 with a social studies doctorate degree after receiving a master’s degree in history. The award symbolizes Stanley’s dedication, numerous contributions, and many influences during his career in the education field.
“I am flattered to receive the award. Rutgers University provided me with an excellent graduate education, and I’m honored to receive the award as an alum,” said Stanley.
Stanley began his teaching career in 1966 as a social studies teacher at Cranford Public School in Union, NJ. “I decided I wanted to teach during my senior year in high school,” said Stanley. “I was influenced by a wonderful social studies teacher, Larry Carebonetti, of South Plainfield High School. I have always been intellectually curious and I enjoy helping others learn.”
After 14 years in Cranford, Stanley chose to further his education in pursuing a master’s degree in history at Rutgers University. “This confirmed my desire to teach. But I wanted to increase my knowledge and improve my teaching skills, which led me to study more history and methods of teaching in graduate school,” said Stanley.
Stanley began working as an assistant professor teaching social studies education at Louisiana State University in 1980. In 1985, he was promoted as the Associate Chair and Graduate Program Director.
After spending seven years at Louisiana State University, Stanley continued at the University of Delaware as the Chair and Professor in the Department of Educational Development. In 1995, Stanley was promoted to Interim Dean in the College of Education.
“I won a teacher of the year award as a professor at the University of Delaware,” said Stanley. “I was also invited to be a member of the Social Science Education Consortium and the Professors of Curriculum professional organization.”
Between 1996 and 1997, Stanley taught at the University of Hawaii, University of Utah, and Navajo Community College in Arizona as a visiting professor.
In 1997, Stanley returned to teaching at the University of Delaware as the chair in the department of educational development, human resources, education, and public policy.
The following year, Stanley became a Dean at the University of Colorado for three years. The third year, Stanley became the founding Dean of the School of Education at the University of Redlands in California.
During 2000, Stanley was presented the opportunity of becoming Dean of the School of Education at Monmouth University. Stanley was Dean for five years and currently is a professor of social studies education, educational foundations, and curriculum theory.
“His great accomplishment at Monmouth was stabilizing the School of Education from 2003 to 2008 and leading it to initial accreditation of its undergraduate and graduate programs by the National Commission for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE),” said Dr. Thomas Pearson, Provost.
“Thus, his wise and patient leadership and his great knowledge and experience with teacher education served Monmouth and its students very well,” Pearson continued. “He is a person who will give credit to many for our success but he deserves much credit for his point leadership and for setting up a foundation of good teacher-scholars in the School of Education.”
Over the past 47 years as an educator, Stanley has completed numerous efforts to enhance the social studies curriculum, serve as a mentor to students and faculty, and demonstrate leadership qualities through his Dean and professor positions.
Stanley made large impacts in social studies and history curriculums published all over America. During his years teaching he became involved in numerous university organizations which lead him to fully understand the material to create curriculums on his own. He has given selected paper presentations and symposias, has completed funded research, and edited an array of publications during his career.
Jack Nelson, a professor of Stanley’s from Rutgers University, said, “He is an educator’s educator, known for his incisive thinking, his intellect, and his extensive knowledge, but also widely recognized for his gentle manner and humor, his colleague-and student-nurturing talents, his engaging humility, and his responsible work ethic. This is a highly unusual combination.”
Nelson explained Stanley’s achievements and that he truly deserves such a high award. “It was my pleasure to have Bill as a student … in every class there is likely to be at least one student who is smarter than the teacher,” said Nelson.
Stanley was very grateful in being selected for the award after numerous years of work improving the education field all over America.
“I was fortunate to have parents who stimulated my intellectual curiosity,” said Stanley. “I have also had a number of excellent teachers, colleagues, and mentors who provided help and guidance along the way. I’ll also give myself some credit for intensive study and hard work.”
The award will be presented to Stanley at the Rutgers Faculty Club on April 6. Administrators, former faculty, students, friends and family will attend to honor Stanley’s success.
