Ralph Fessler, the founding dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, is retiring after 27 years on the faculty. In announcing the retirement, Hopkins President Ronald Daniels praised Fessler for his "significant impact on the theory and practice of K-12 teacher preparation, in Maryland and nationwide." Fessler had postponed his retirement for a year to help the school devise a strategic plan for its future. He will be succeeded on an interim basis Feb. 1 by Mariale Hardiman, the school's assistant dean for urban school partnerships.

- Childs Walker