Lorena Claeys, Ph.D.
Director of the Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center, Academy of Teacher Excellence
Contact
- MB 0.500
- 210-458-6172
- lorena.claeys@utsa.edu
Bio
As Director of the Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center (ATE), Dr. Lorena Claeys brings more than two decades of experience and a deep commitment to advancing equitable and innovative educator preparation. Throughout her career, she has championed approaches that not only prepare teachers for the classroom but also strengthen the networks that support them—schools, communities, and universities working together to ensure student success.
Claeys’ research explores the factors that shape a teacher’s professional journey, including preparation, retention, motivation, and character education. Her work is grounded in the belief that effective teaching requires both strong preparation and a supportive ecosystem, and she has dedicated her career to building partnerships that make that possible.
Under her leadership, ATE has secured numerous competitive grants that have sustained and expanded the center’s research and programming. Her collaborative approach and ability to bring partners together have been instrumental in ATE's long-standing impact on the field.
In recognition of her dedication to educator preparation and bilingual education, Claeys received the Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) Honoree Award for Higher Education in 2016. This honor reflects her enduring commitment to improving educational opportunities for all learners and supporting the educators who serve them.
At the heart of her leadership is a vision of education rooted in community, connection, and opportunity—values that continue to guide her work at ATE.
