2007 Texas PTA Advisory Council
Dr. Karen Embry Jenlink
St. Edward’s University appointed Dr. Karen Embry Jenlink as appointed Dean of the School of Education, effective July 1, 2005. For over 25 years, Jenlink has served as a classroom teacher, university professor, administrator, school researcher, consultant, evaluator and curriculum specialist in public and private education in Texas schools and universities. She is inspired by “preparing teachers who will teach the next generation to lead America.” In her position as dean, she is interested in finding opportunities to attract bilingual students into teaching and to recruit minorities and underserved students into teaching, especially in mathematics and science.
Jenlink has been nationally recognized for her work in curriculum development and occupational research in science, education, and technology. She has equally strong participation in school-community partnerships. She has served in a variety of state offices, most notably as president of the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education. The winner of the Leadership Foundation in Education Award, Jenlink was recently also named a 2006 Leadership Fellow of the Association of Teacher Educators. In 2005, she was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of Texas A& M University (Commerce).
In addition to her work as associate editor of Teacher Education and Practice, Jenlink has authored two books and numerous chapters, articles, papers, and research reports. Her most recent book, Portraits of Teacher Preparation: Learning to Teach in a Changing America, examines the changing nature of teacher preparation in urban centers in the United States. Jenlink’s research agenda has also focused on international projects in England, Ireland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. She has been selected for grants totaling over $1.7 million for research including innovation and reform in public schools, higher education, and research and development in workforce and career education.
Jenlink holds an Ed.D in Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University (Commerce). She holds a M.Ed. in Early Childhood from the University of Texas (Tyler) and a B.S. degree in Spanish / Elementary Education (dual major) and Biology (minor). She is married to Dr Patrick M. Jenlink and they have three daughters.