SPCS professor Dave Myers named Itzkowitz Family Distinguished Adjunct Faculty member for 2014-2015 at Commencement exercises

May 12, 2015

During SPCS Night on May 6, 2015, Dean Narduzzi announced that Dr. David A. Myers, superintendent of New Kent County Public Schools and adjunct assistant professor of education in SPCS, had been named the Itzkowitz Family Distinguished Adjunct Faculty award recipient for 2015. During his announcement, he shared these words that students have written about Myers in their course evaluations:

“He has a passion for teaching about ethical decision making.”

“His classes were always thought provoking.”

“Each class was exciting to attend.”

“Great course. I wish there was a part 2.”

“UR is lucky to have Dr. Myers as a professor.”

Students’ reflections on Myers’ classes are important, as the distinguished faculty award recipient is nominated by students in the early spring and voted on by a committee of full-time faculty members in the School. The recipient receives an inscribed University chair and joins a long list of honorees dating back to 1977.

Myers began his education career in Littleton, Colorado, where he served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant principal. In 2002, he moved to Virginia, where he worked in Henrico County as assistant principal of Deep Run High School and as principal of Mills Godwin High School. In 2010, he became Henrico’s assistant superintendent of secondary education, supervising fourteen schools and principals, and in 2013 rose to become assistant superintendent of the entire division. In 2014, he was hired as superintendent of New Kent County Public Schools.

As Itzkowitz Family Distinguished Adjunct Faculty member, Myers earned the opportunity to address graduating students during Commencement Exercises. In his address, Myers compared his own experience as a doctoral student to “a four year long root canal” and identified two characteristics all of the graduating students have in common.

First, Myers noted, “You have spent hundreds of hours — most of you as working professionals — engaging in high level thinking, writing papers, taking comprehensive exams, and completing large group projects, which,” Myers wryly added, “I hope was never anything close to a root canal.”

Second, Myers, continued, “You all have a desire to cultivate your craft and become stronger in your profession.”

Myers reminded graduates that, whether writing paper or grading papers, students and teachers alike work toward personal and professional development, “engaging in content, discussion, real world scenarios, and reflection that simply makes us all better.”

Myers concluded his remarks with thanks to his team-teaching partner, Wendell Roberts, with whom Myers explained he shared the award: “This award is a ‘team’ award in my mind and I could not ask for a better teaching partner.”