Erin Green receives National Award for Doctoral Dissertation

Erin Green ’08M, ’24Ed.D. has received the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award from the National Association for School-University Partnerships (NASUP) for her dissertation, “The Last Professors: A Narrative Inquiry of the Experiences of Partnership Teachers.” The award was presented at NASUP’s conference on Feb. 13.

Green said the recognition reflects the important role partnership teachers play in preparing future educators.

“Receiving this award is a great honor and I think it’s truly a tribute to the incredible work partnership teachers do,” she said. “I appreciate the work NASUP does to bridge the gap between universities and schools, and the value and recognition the organization places on the contributions of partnership teachers. I am proud to have helped to contribute to this mission and body of knowledge.”

Before pursuing her doctorate, Green taught high school mathematics for 16 years in New Hanover and Pender counties. She enrolled in UNCW’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a specialization in curriculum and instruction and also earned post-baccalaureate certificates in coaching and mentoring and program evaluation.

Green said her research topic evolved during her doctoral studies. While she initially planned to study the impact of edTPA requirements on student teaching internships, she soon realized an important perspective was missing.

“Much of the existing research on teacher preparation focused on university faculty and students, but insights from partnership teachers were lacking,” she said. “As a former partnership teacher who has hosted five student teaching interns, I wanted to help fill that gap. This research was very personal and meaningful for me.”

Her research highlighted several key themes, including the importance of collaboration between partnership teachers and teacher candidates, the professional growth teachers experience as they mentor multiple interns, and the need for stronger collaboration between universities and schools.

Green found that partnership teachers value the knowledge teacher candidates bring to the classroom, and learn to become less controlling and more collaborative with them over time. She also identified the need for a collaborative third space in education that spans the divide between theory and practice to more closely connect coursework to the daily realities of classroom teaching.

Green began working at UNCW as a doctoral graduate assistant in 2020. After completing her doctorate in 2024, she remained at the university as an instructor. She now works in the Watson College’s Office of Partnerships and Engagement, supporting the PDS School-University Partnership Office and the Office of Professional Experiences. She also teaches in the Department of Educational Leadership’s leadership studies minor program.

Green said the Ed.D. program shifted her perspective on what it means to be an educator.

“The program challenged me to examine educational practices more critically and think about how to advocate for changes that benefit students and teachers,” she said. “It also helped me develop strong relationships with colleagues and gain valuable research skills.”

Her advice to educators considering the program: “You’ll learn a great deal about yourself and your role in education — and you won’t leave the same educator you were when you started.”

About the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

UNCW’s Watson College offers a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with four specializations: educational administration, curriculum & instruction, higher education and community college leadership.

Designed for working professionals, the program follows a cohort model that builds strong professional networks among future education leaders. Since its launch in 2007, more than 175 graduates have advanced into leadership roles across North Carolina and beyond.

Learn more on the Ed.D. program website.