Gutlerner said he wants to focus development work in the teacher education department by starting new programs, applying for grants and fundraising.

Also on the horizon is preparation for a state review, which takes place every five years and which all teaching programs must undergo.

Gutlerner was contacted by Katherine K. Merseth, director of teacher education at the GSE, when the UTEP director position opened. She said in an e-mail that she anticipates wonderful things from her former pupil.

“He is bright and extremely knowledgeable about teacher education,” she wrote. “He has many ideas and seems to have grasped the intricacies of Harvard already.”

For his part, Gutlerner said he sees himself remaining involved with UTEP for quite some time in the future. He said that he hopes to pursue doctoral studies and is appreciative that he can achieve both professional and personal goals at Harvard.

“After seeing how limited the resources are in some schools, nothing could be more important to me than staying involved in teacher education,” he said. “I have seen that a good teacher is committed and intelligent. If I can stay involved in finding these people and helping them pursue education, then that’s what I want to do.”