Associate Dean of Teacher Education, Anton Puvirajah.
Anton Puvirajah named Associate Dean, Teacher Education
Dr. Anton Puvirajah has been named Associate Dean, Teacher Education for Western University’s Faculty of Education. Puvirajah has been appointed to a five-year renewable term and began serving in the role on July 1.
“It has been a humbling experience. I had a lot of support from my colleagues here in the Faculty, but also from colleagues elsewhere at Western and from my previous institutions as well,” Puvirajah said.
Puvirajah completed his undergraduate education at the University of Manitoba, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Bachelor of Education degree.
He holds a PhD in Teacher Education with a concentration in Science Education from Wayne State University and has extensive research experience in the field of STEM education.
Puvirajah previously held academic appointments at Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University. He has also worked as a high school science teacher in both the U.S. and Canada.
Puvirajah joined the Faculty of Education in 2016, progressing to the rank of Associate Professor and teaching courses in its graduate research intensive programs, graduate professional programs, and teacher education programs. Since 2021, Puvirajah has served as Chair for the Faculty’s Curriculum Studies and Studies in Applied Linguistics academic research cluster.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Puvirajah in his various leadership roles throughout the Faculty. It has been a privilege,” said Dr. Donna Kotsopoulos, Dean for the Faculty of Education.
“I am confident that our Teacher Education program will be in good hands.”
As Associate Dean, Puvirajah will play a leading role in developing the educators of tomorrow who enroll in Western’s Bachelor of Education. He will also support outreach programming to education professionals.
Distinguished University Professor Kathy Hibbert.
He succeeds Dr. Kathy Hibbert.
“Dr. Hibbert provided exemplary leadership to our Faculty in her role as Associate Dean, Teacher Education, and in other ways too, including as Acting Dean,” Kotsopoulos added.
“She has been a champion of the program, Western Education, Western University, our faculty, our staff, and our students.”
During her tenure, Hibbert led the program through substantial reform, including the adoption of a pass/fail model, the creation of the Master Teacher Mentor program, and the upcoming transition to a 16-month timeframe.
She was instrumental in leading the Faculty through its latest accreditation process, an exhaustive audit carried out by the Ontario College of Teachers that ensures faculties of education meet the strict standards required to host a teacher education program.
Last year, Hibbert was named a Distinguished University Professor by Western, one of the university’s highest honours, and received the Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada’s Angela Hildyard Recognition Award in honour of her influential leadership.
“There are a lot of great things that Kathy has laid the groundwork for,” Puvirajah added.
“I’m looking forward to continuing in the positive direction she established.”
