David C. Virtue

David C. Virtue is the Taft B. Botner Distinguished Professor of Middle Grades Education at Western Carolina University (WCU), affiliated with the School of Teaching and Learning. He previously served as professor and head of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Auburn University and department chair at the University of South Carolina. His work emphasizes middle grades teacher preparation, curriculum design, and international education analysis. He co-edited Middle Level Teacher Preparation across International Contexts and is founding editor of the AMLE Innovations book series. Virtue is a Fulbright Scholar and has led funded projects like ML-TEACH and On TRACK.

Education: Ph.D. in Social Science Education from the University of Georgia.

Research interests include middle level teacher certification, curriculum integration, the anthropology of curriculum policy, and global middle education trends. He advocates for person-centered curricula and has explored responses to crises like Hurricane Katrina and the pandemic, emphasizing adaptable partnership models.

Recent articles (2020–2024) focus on responsiveness in middle level education, international teacher preparation, curriculum design, and pandemic-era educational adaptations. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in schools and teacher training programs.

• Fulbright Scholar in Norway, 2003–2007.

Advising and grants highlight his role in developing middle level education programs, notably co-editing the Handbook of Research in Middle Level Education. He collaborates with the Catamount School, WCU’s middle grades lab school, and serves on AMLE’s Research Advisory Committee. His projects address challenges such as preparing teachers for diverse student populations and integrating social studies with other disciplines.

Virtue leads interdisciplinary teams and fosters partnerships between universities and schools, particularly in rural and international contexts. He has contributed to initiatives like ESOL rounds and shadowing experiences to enhance teacher readiness for cultural diversity.