The Educator as Advocate: The Gerontologist in an Academic Setting

Abstract

The educator in a school of social work functions not only as a teacher of students but also as an advocate. The educator-advocate as gerontologist must simultaneously develop a core training in aging, induce other faculty members to add gerontological content, build interdisciplinary bridges with other academic units, and influence other educational institutions. The role of advocate demands a flexible use of strategies and tactics as well as evaluations of process and products, identification of factors associated with success and failure, and formulation of policy recommendations.