David C. Berliner: Champion of Teachers and Public Education

A somewhat unlikely student of educational psychology, David C. Berliner rose as a star of the profession over many decades in the field. His contributions to the field, primarily focused on improving teacher education and student achievement, as well as the interactions between environmental factors, schooling, and student outcomes, have been built on the shoulders of other highly notable pioneers and groundbreakers in educational research. In recognition of his achievements in and dedication to public education, David has been the recipient of awards including the American Psychological Association E.L. Thorndike award for lifetime achievements (1996), the American Educational Research Association Outstanding Public Communication of Education Award (2016), and the National Education Association Friend of Education award. He has also served as the past president of AERA and for the APA’s Division of Educational Psychology. David is presently the Regents’ Professor Emeritus in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University and contributes regularly to Diane Ravitch’s online blog for education.