Julia Reguero de Atiles, a University of Georgia faculty member who coordinates cohorts of teacher students specializing in the education of very young children, must be doing something right. Very right.

Atiles was recently named the Georgia Association on Young Children's (GAYC) Educator of the Year for 2001.

An academic professional who has joint appointments to the colleges of Education and Family and Consumer Sciences, Atiles coordinates the pre-kindergarten to second grade emphasis program. She also serves as academic advisor for all students in the program.

In her role as advisor, Atiles continuously communicates with her students as they prepare to enter the program, throughout their professional preparation and well into their induction experiences. She instills in her students both a respect and love of the teaching profession, colleagues say.

"Her relationships with our partner schools and mentor teachers are unparalleled," said Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, an assistant professor in elementary education.

Atiles sets high expectations for her students but also provides plenty of support, constructive criticism and enthusiasm. It is no surprise that many of her students are awarded such honors as Teacher of the Year.

"Dr. Atiles devotes an enormous amount of time to her students, both in the classroom and during their field experiences," said Mick Coleman, an associate professor of child and family development.

"She helps students to define their professional strengths and address their professional challenges. Students constantly comment upon her devotion to their professional preparation and her ability to mentor them through challenging situations in their field placements. Certainly, I would rank her among the top tier of mentors at the University of Georgia," said Coleman.

In addition, Atiles directs a mentoring/induction program for graduates of the pre-kindergarten program. The project connects public school mentor teachers who are UGA graduates with UGA faculty and pre-service teachers.

She also presents informative and practical workshops for teachers on topics such as competition in the classroom, second-language learners, health issues and kindergarten readiness. Atiles is often asked to serve on panels dealing with cultural awareness, diversity and developmentally appropriate practice. She recently developed and presented a program on teaching English as a second language for elementary teachers. The program, part of the College of Education Educational Satellite Outreach Program, was broadcast throughout the state and is widely requested by teachers and administrators as a reference.

Atiles helped develop the department of elementary education's collaborations with the Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico. This program broadens UGA students' understanding of cultural and linguistic contexts that impact children's learning. She developed an undergraduate and graduate course jointly listed with the department of language education for the program and has been resident instructor for the course in Mexico.

Atiles, who joined the UGA faculty in 1994, received her Ph.D. in Family and Child Development from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Prior to coordinating the pre-kindergarten through second grade emphasis, she served as a university child development laboratory director. She has taught courses in middle childhood and adolescent development as well as curriculum planning. Her research interests include development of Hispanic children, and school and the non-English speaking child. 

The award was made at GAYC's annual conference on Oct. 12. GAYC is a non-profit professional organization that has been promoting quality early care and education for young children since 1966. Its members include early care and education professionals, parents and family advocates from throughout the state.

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001
Writer: Michael Childs, 706/542-5889, mchilds@coe.uga.edu
Contact: Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, 706/542-4244, sneuhart@coe.uga.edu