#United States #Sacramento #Mary Vixie Sandy #AACTE #Teacher Credentialing

Mary Vixie Sandy Honored with AACTE Award

Mary Vixie Sandy, the esteemed executive director of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, has recently been recognized as the recipient of the prestigious AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education for the year 2025. This accolade is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development, implementation, or analysis of teacher education policies as well as outstanding scholarship in the field of educator preparation.

In making the announcement, Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, the AACTE president and CEO, praised Sandy’s unwavering commitment to enhancing teacher education and her innovative spirit. "Mary Vixie Sandy exemplifies a lifelong commitment to advancing teacher education and fostering innovation in the field," she stated. Her remarkable leadership and dedication in preparing educators is acknowledged as not only inspiring but vital to the positive development of communities.

Sandy brings over 25 years of experience in both higher education and government to her role, overseeing public policy related to educator preparation and licensing. Her leadership extends to an agency that annually evaluates and issues over 300,000 credential documents, and accredits more than 250 colleges, universities, and local education agencies that offer educator preparation programs. This vital work ensures that California has a workforce of diverse and qualified professionals to meet the needs of PK-12 students.

Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, chair of the AACTE Board of Directors, reflected on her long-term collaboration with Sandy. “I have known Dr. Sandy for over 15 years and have worked with her in various capacities. At all times, she has been a thoughtfully engaging leader who continuously strives to ensure that students in California receive education from diverse and capable educators.” This portrayal underscores Sandy's core philosophy that all students deserve the best possible teaching.

In her previous positions, Sandy has showcased her commitment to education not only through her executive roles at the UC Davis School of Education Center for Cooperative Research and Education Services for Schools but also as the associate director of Teacher Education and Public School Programs at the California State University Chancellor’s Office. Furthermore, her tenure with the California Department of Education and the California Postsecondary Education Commission highlighted her significant impact on educational policy.