Dr. Brandon Fox, associate professor of elementary education at Stephen F. Austin State University, was awarded the 2017-20 Montgomery Professorship for Humane Education in the James I. Perkins College of Education.
The professorship was established by the late Charlotte Baker Montgomery in memory of her husband, Roger. The professorship’s purpose is to encourage and perpetuate the teaching of humane education concepts and methods in public and private elementary and secondary schools through the support of teacher preparation in humane education.
“It is an honor to expand on the legacy of Charlotte and Roger Montgomery and to be recognized as valuing humane education,” Fox said. “Receiving this professorship is exciting because it provides an opportunity to further advance humane education through my research, service and teaching.”
Humane education is a process that assists children in developing compassion, a sense of justice and respect for all living things. Humane education helps children gain the knowledge and understanding to behave according to these principles and foster a sense of responsibility needed to affirm and act upon humane education principles.
Fox submitted a plan for the professorship that included ideas regarding professional development, establishing a humane education resource library, and expanding local, state and regional connections for humane education. His plan also suggested creating opportunities for field experiences for kindergarten through 12th grade students, as well as pre-service and in-service teachers.
Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of SFA’s James I. Perkins College of Education, and Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan, chair of the Department of Elementary Education, selected Fox for the award.
As the recipient of the professorship, Fox will manage the humane education program, which includes teaching and recruiting students for courses and professional development in the field; maintaining a collection of books and humane education materials for students, teachers and the public; encouraging humane education projects and activities; serving as a liaison with the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee; and annually attending animal welfare organization conferences.
