Governor Bob Riley recently appointed College of Education faculty member Dr. José Llanes to the Commission on Teacher Quality. Llanes joined the AU faculty in September as a professor and department head in the college's Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology.

"Dr. Llanes' expertise in the development of diversified pay plans and teacher preparation will be of great value to the Commission's work," said Dr. Tony Thacker, project admistrator for the Governor's Commission on Quality Teacher.

The Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching began work in January 2006 and was formed to advise the governor and the Alabama Board of Education about issues pertaining to the improvement of teaching quality, including the selection and training of teachers and administrators, economic incentives, standards of performance and other pertinent matters.  The commission is made up of more than 70 educators and business representatives and led by Betsey Rogers, former Alabama teacher of the year. 

In December, after nearly one year of work, the commission presented its recommendations to Governor Riley.  Among those recommendations are assigning new teachers mentors to help lower the attrition rates and incentive pay for teachers in areas where it is difficult to recruit.