Research by Faculty
To view a matrix of research areas of interest and expertise, click on a faculty member below. The following tables indicate faculty members’ research areas of expertise and interest, the specific content area(s) in which they specialize, the age group/grade level(s) of their expertise/interest and their methodological expertise. Students interested in finding out more about a faculty member’s specific interests can contact him or her directly.
| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Cathy Barlow |
Assessment Models |
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Distance Education Learning |
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Leadership Strategies |
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Technology Solution |
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Women in Administration |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Susan Catapano |
Building Classroom Libraries |
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Children’s Literature |
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Curriculum |
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Hard to Staff Schools |
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Instructional Delivery |
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Mentoring |
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Reading first |
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School Reform |
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Selection of Culturally Diverse Literature |
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Teacher Retention |
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Teacher Preparation |
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Urban Schools |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Sue-Jen Chen |
Personality and Small Group Interaction |
Instructional Design & Development |
Elementary |
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Cross- and Multicultural Online Learning |
Evaluation |
Higher Education |
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Educational Technology Integration into Curriculum |
Instructional Technology |
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Instructional Design and Development |
Multi-media |
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e-Learning Course and Environment Design |
Visual Design |
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Web 2.0 Social Media and Learning |
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Learning Theories |
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Critical Thinking and Problem Solving |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Howard Coleman |
Closing the Achievement Gap |
Arts |
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Curriculum Alignment Auditing |
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Data-Driven Decision-Making |
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Educational Reform |
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NC ABC’s and Accountability |
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NCLB and AYP |
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School Law and Policy |
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Transitional Leadership |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Vance Durrington |
Diffusion of Innovations |
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Distance Education |
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Computer Mediated Communication |
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Social Network Analysis |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Elizabeth Foster |
Educator Preparation |
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Teachers, Counselors and Administrators |
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Educator Induction Programs |
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Educational Mentoring |
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Peer Tutoring |
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School Leadership |
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Professional Development |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Kathy Fox |
Language Diversity |
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Early Childhood |
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Family Literacy |
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Early Childhood |
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Technology |
Literacy |
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Teacher Practice |
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Homework |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Tracy Hargrove |
Authentic Assessment |
Mathematics |
Elementary |
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High-Stakes Testing |
Mathematics |
Elementary |
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The Relationship between Mathematics and Music |
Mathematics |
Elementary |
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Multi-age Grouping |
Mathematics |
Elementary |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Heidi Higgins |
Pre-service and in-service teacher education |
Mathematics |
Early Childhood, Elementary School, and Middle School |
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Quantitative literacy |
Mathematics |
Early Childhood, Elementary School, and Middle School |
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Spatial abilities |
Mathematics |
Early Childhood, Elementary School, and Middle School |
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Impact of intellectual development on ability to implement best teaching practices in mathematics |
Mathematics |
Early Childhood, Elementary School, and Middle School |
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Teaching mathematics for social equity |
Mathematics |
Early Childhood, Elementary School, and Middle School |
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Relationship between socio-economic status and academic achievement |
Mathematics |
Early Childhood, Elementary School, and Middle School |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Barbara Honchell |
At Risk Readers |
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Early Childhood |
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Systematic Observation |
Reading |
Early Childhood |
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Diverse Learners |
Reading |
Early Childhood |
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Reading Recovery |
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Early Childhood |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Scott Imig |
Classroom Observation |
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Effective Schools and Teachers |
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Mentoring |
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Social Justice |
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Teacher Decision-making |
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Teacher Education |
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Teacher Supervision |
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The Teaching Profession—Certification and Licensure |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Hengameh Kermani |
Emergent Literacy |
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Social and cognitive bases of mother-child interaction |
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Cross-cultural comparisons
of parental cognitive mediators and their impact on children's learning |
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Family literacy |
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Cross-age tutoring |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Martin Kozloff |
Help Schools to Select and Use Effective Curriculum |
Reading |
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Instructional Design |
Reading |
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Diverse Learners |
Reading |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Julie Lambert |
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment |
Science |
Secondary Education |
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Research |
Science |
Secondary Education |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Lou LaNunziata |
Applied Behavior Analysis |
Special Needs Population |
Early Childhood |
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Applied Behavior Analysis |
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Effective Programming |
Inclusive Settings |
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Pro-Social Behavior Development |
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Positive Behavioral Supports |
Social Skills Instruction in Special Needs
Population |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Florence Martin |
Virtual Classrooms |
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Learning Management Systems/ Course Management Systems |
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Social/ Collaborative Technology Tools |
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Free and Open Source Software for Elearning |
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Computer-based/ Web-based Instruction |
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Online Course development/ Program Development |
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Human Performance Management |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Maurice Martinez |
African American
Community |
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Diversity |
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Intercultural Education |
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International/Global/ Comparative Education |
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International Development |
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Social Justice |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Carol McNulty |
Instructional Methods |
Social Studies |
Elementary |
Qualitative |
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Multicultural education and diversity |
Social Studies |
Elementary |
Qualitative |
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Preparing teachers to work with students in poverty |
Social Studies |
Elementary |
Qualitative |
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Students at-risk for delinquency |
Social Studies |
Elementary |
Qualitative |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Mahnaz Moallem |
Instructional design models & principles |
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Development of instructional materials for different delivery systems, particularly Web-based instruction |
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Design & development of online collaborative learning environments |
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Program design & evaluation |
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Assessment & evaluation of learning & instruction |
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Applications of learning & thinking styles theories for the design & development of instruction |
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How new and emerging technology such as hand-held computers can be used to improve learning & instruction |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Amelia Moody |
Electronic Storybooks |
Literacy |
Early Childhood |
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Assistive Technology |
Literacy |
Early Childhood |
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Language and Literacy |
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Early Childhood |
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e of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Shelby Morge |
Assessment |
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in Mathematics |
K-12 |
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Gender Differences |
Mathematics |
K-12 |
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Curriculum |
Squeak and problem-based learning in Mathematics and Science |
K-12 |
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Beliefs |
Mathematics |
K-12 |
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Teacher Education |
Mathematics |
K-12 |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. John Murphy |
Emerging and Best Practices for School Leaders |
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Equal Educational Opportunities Addressing the Gap |
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School Leadership |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Kennedy Ongaga |
Africa |
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Qualitative Research Methods |
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HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education |
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Qualitative Research Methods |
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Organizational Behavior |
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Qualitative Research Methods |
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School Administration |
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Qualitative Research Methods |
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Social Justice Issues in Education |
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Qualitative Research Methods |
| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Denise Ousley |
Young Adult Literature |
English Language Arts |
Secondary Education |
Qualitative |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Michele Parker |
Charter schools and Student Achievement |
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Teacher Education and Diversity |
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Teacher Mentoring |
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Leadership/ Empowerment |
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School Performance |
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Virtual Classrooms |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Ann Potts |
Language and Culture |
Literacy |
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Ethnography/Qualitative |
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Developing Culturally Responsive Practice |
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Ethnography/Qualitative |
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Critical Literacy |
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Ethnography/Qualitative |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Angelia Reid-Griffin |
Motivation |
Science |
Middle Level and Secondary Level |
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Technology |
Science |
Middle Level and Secondary Level |
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University/School/ Community Partnerships |
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Faculty Collaborative Efforts |
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Teacher Shortages |
Minority Teacher Shortages |
Middle Level and Secondary Level |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Kathleen Roney |
Middle School Reform |
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Middle Level (6-9) |
Qualitative Design/Case Study Methodology |
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Characteristics of Effective Teaching |
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Middle Level (6-9) |
Qualitative Design/Case Study Methodology |
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Strategies and Relationships in Effective Teaching |
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Middle Level (6-9) |
Qualitative Design/Case Study Methodology |
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Teacher Education |
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Middle Level (6-9) |
Qualitative Design/Case Study Methodology |
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Leadership and Staff Development |
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Middle Level (6-9) |
Qualitative Design/Case Study Methodology |
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Organizational Health |
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Middle Level (6-9) |
Qualitative Design/Case Study Methodology |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Robert Smith |
School Reform |
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High School |
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Small Learning Communities |
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Early Colleges |
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Teacher Dispositions |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown |
Achievement Gap |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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Diversity |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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English Language Learners |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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Intercultural Education |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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International/Global/ Comparative Education |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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Social Justice |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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Critical Literacy |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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Poverty and Educational Inequities |
Reading/Literacy |
Middle Level |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Candra Thornton |
Children’s Play |
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Pre-K, Early Childhood |
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Pre-service Teacher Beliefs |
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Pre-K, Early Childhood |
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Feminist Studies |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Brad Walker |
Literacy |
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children and adults |
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Supporting growth |
Literacy |
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Whole Language |
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Impact of government mandated educational programs |
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Researching education in other countries |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Tamara Walser |
Classroom Assessment and Performance Assessment |
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Evaluation of Research |
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Program Evaluation Methodology |
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Research Design |
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Systems in Evaluation |
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Reading Programs for Struggling Readers |
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| Name of Faculty Member |
Research Area of Interest/Expertise |
Content Area of Specialization |
Age Group/ Grade Level(s) |
Methodological Expertise |
| Dr. Karen Wetherill |
Educational Change |
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Educational Leadership |
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Mentoring |
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Organizational Analysis |
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Professional Development of Educators |
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Supervision |
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Teacher Education |
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University/School/ Partnerships |
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