Education: Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership, Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL, May 1997
Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership, Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL, May 1997

Department: Education

Office: Burklund 203

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in how a teacher’s instructional delivery impacts student learning. Also, I am interested in how teachers engage students in the learning process.

TEACHING INTERESTS

I taught for 17 years in public education prior to teaching at Eureka College. I currently teach a variety of courses for Education Majors. Some of those courses are: Introduction to Curriculum Design, Introduction to Middle Grades, Elementary Literacy, Intermediate Literacy, Middle Grades Literacy, Social Science Methods, and Fine Arts Methods. Many of my courses incorporate practical applications in the field, through which my College students work directly in local schools. I also supervise Teacher Candidates in the field during student teaching, and I am the director of the new Middle Grades Education major.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

My professional activities are varied. I am a trainer of the Co-Teaching Model: training teacher candidates, veteran teachers, and administrators. I also provide Professional Development for local school districts. Recent presentation topics are Co-Teaching in the Context of a Professional Learning Community; and Improving Student Learning: Implementing High-Impact Instruction and Professional Learning Communities.Additionally, I have been a participant of two Federal grants funded by the United States Department of Education: Doing What Works (DWW), and T-Sped Partnership with Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI). I had the opportunity of presenting the grant work at the Arts & Sciences Colloquium in Chicago, IL in collaboration with five ACI partner institutions.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

On campus, I advise the Students for Lifeorganization, and I organize the Teacher Education Student Ambassadors: current education majors who meet with perspective education majors. I also help in local schools as a mentor and tutor, and I judge Illinois Elementary School Association Speech Contests for local school districts.

UNIQUELY EUREKA EXPERIENCE

I have always thought of Eureka College as a diamond in the rough. Although one may first see only the small size of the College, it takes only a few minutes on campus for one to see the unique and amazing opportunities available here. Every year students travel the nation and the world doing amazing things during fellowships, internships, and summer courses abroad. Students think deeply here at EC, about themselves and about those around them, all the while learning how to smooth out the rough edges and shine brightly in the world.

ABOUT

When not teaching at Eureka College, I enjoy outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, and biking. I also enjoy learning about other cultures and traveling.