November 12, 2014

Two School of Education professionals, Allen Grant and Annie Fetter, were honored as outstanding distance educators. The event was part of National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), which was founded by Drexel University Online in conjunction with the United States Distance Learning Association in an effort to create greater awareness of distance learning and to recognize exceptional leaders and best practices in the field. On Tuesday, November 11, Drexel University Online hosted the eighth annual National Distance Learning Week awards ceremony to honor remarkable faculty and staff for their accomplishments in the field of online learning.

Allen Grant, PhD, associate clinical professor and director of MS in Educational Administration and director of the Philadelphia and online EdD in Educational Leadership Development, was awarded the 2014 Outstanding Online Faculty Award. Grant's expertise lies in the areas of distance education, K-12 virtual education, and educational leadership. His research focuses on virtual school leadership and collaborative technologies. Grant was nominated by fellow faculty for his leadership in online programs. He has crafted multiple online courses and interactive portals that support School of Education faculty who work with online students. Grant also serves as a Drexel University Online Fellow.

Annie Fetter, Project Manager in the Math Forum, received the 2014 Outstanding Online Staff Award. Fetter also serves as part-time instructor for the MS in Mathematics Teaching and Learning and Certificate programs. Fetter regularly blogs for the Math Forum on topics such as geometry and education. She engages and assists mathematics teachers to use technology, particularly dynamic geometry software, to support their own students' learning.

Fellow staff nominated Fetter for her commitment to creating powerful, meaningful, and applicable learning experiences for those works with online. She strongly believes that learning is a social activity and works to create a sense of community in which all participants are dedicated to meaningfully supporting each other’s learning. Fetter successfully empowers those she works with to think differently about both mathematics and the value and role of technology in their practice.