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| AU Homepage > Academics > College of Education | ||
Aurora University
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ADMINISTRATIVE
FACULTY |
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| Dr.
Donald Wold Dean and Assistant Professor of Education 
Don's 34 year public school experience involved teaching and administration
at the junior high level where he served as principal in opening a
new junior high building. At the high school level, he served
as principal for eight years and opened a new building there as well.
His last 17 years were spent as superintendent of a suburban unit
district. Author or co-author of over 20 articles and one book,
Don has also pursued personal professional development by teaching
at the university level for the past 15 years. |
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| Dr. Joan Flynn Fee Ed.D. Program Chair and Associate Professor of Education 
Dr. Fee has taught, designed curricula, and conducted quantitative
and qualitative research in a variety of venues, including Loyola
University Chicago, the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), SPSS,
Inc., and Hewitt Associates. She has written and conducted workshops
on survey research and on work-life issues. Joan received her
M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and her B.A. from the
College of William and Mary. She serves as doctoral program
chair and a member of the doctoral program faculty. |
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| Pam
Ferdinand Coordinator, Future Educators Association 
Pam retired in 2003 after teaching French for two years at Taylorville
High School, near Springfield, and for 32 years at Kaneland High School
in Maple Park. She was very active in the NEA/IEA/KEA and sponsored
French Club and Future Educators of America at Kaneland. She continues
her interest in developing future educators with this position at
Aurora University. Pam also does Block Schedule training for area
high school faculties and Classroom Management training for the IEA
as well as FEA Advisor Training for Phi Delta Kappa International. |
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Marie Huff |
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Judy Maxwell |
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| Ron
O'Neal Program Chair, MAT and MAEL Programs in Education 
Ron has had a career in public education for thirty-eight years. He
retired in 2001 from District U-46 where he served as an elementary
school principal, a middle school principal and a high school principal.
He spent most of 2003-2004 as interim high school principal in East
Aurora District 131. He also spent one year as a clinical supervisor
for Aurora University. He is currently utilizing his acquired
skills as the
Director of Masters Programs. |
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| Dr.
Robert Paolicchi Director, Collaborating Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) 
Dr. Paolicchi taught high school social studies, served as an assistant
principal, and principal in several northern Illinois middle schools.
During his administrative tenure he completed his studies for the
Ed.D. degree in Leadership and Educational Policy Studies at Northern
Illinois University. Recognized for his administrative leadership
by various organizations his interest is in mentoring and teaching
future educational leaders and working with Aurora University's Collaborative
Academic Partnerships Program in developing inservice opportunities
for teachers. |
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Dr. Sandra Prolman Director, Initial Certification Programs and Associate Professor of Education 
Dr. Prolman was an elementary school teacher before earning her Ph.D.
in Educational Administration at the University of Chicago in 2000.
Her dissertation focused on understanding the changes occurring in
public elementary schools as a result of the move toward full inclusion.
She is especially interested in developing positive relationships
among different kinds of teachers as they come together to work in
partnerships for all students. Before coming to Aurora she was
an adjunct at several local universities, working with K-12 teachers
in graduate programs. She currently directs in AU's Initial
Certification and Ed.D. Programs. |
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| Dr.
Ronald Ramer Accreditation Director and Associate Professor of Education 
A former Parochial School System principal, Dr. Ramer has been a member
of the Aurora University community for the past 15 years. Dr. Ramer
serves as AU’s Coordinator of Accreditation though the Illinois
State Board of Education (ISBE) and the National Council for Accreditation
of Teacher Education (NCATE). He is an Associate Professor of Education
and earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Syracuse University. Dr. Ramer
is a nationally ranked Advanced Practitioner Mediator and teaches
courses in mediation and negotiation. |
|
TEACHING
FACULTY |
|
| Dr.
Peg Anderson Assistant Professor of Education 
Dr. Anderson brings 30 years of teaching experience to AU, mainly
in the areas of elementary and middle school education. In addition,
during recent years she has served as reading coordinator, adjunct
faculty of the University, and staff development leader in a variety
of schools. Dr. Anderson holds degrees from Wheaton College
(B.A.), Northern Illinois University (M.S.) and Loyola University
Chicago (Ed.D.). She has spent extensive time in outdoor teacher
education work both in the U.S. and overseas. She continues
to be involved in many types of staff development work and does professional
development workshops in school districts throughout the Midwest. |
|
| Dr.
Ronald Banaszak Professor of Education 
Dr. Banaszak holds a Ph.D. in social studies education from Indiana
University. He has taught in the public schools, at the community
college level, and comes to Aurora from the University of Alabama
where he held the rank of Associate Professor and was Director of
Clinical Experiences. He has made over 200 presentations at
professional organizations and authored eight books and curriculum
materials used nationally. Ron serves as a member of the doctoral
program faculty. |
|
| Dr.
Hank Boer Associate Professor of Education 
Dr. Boer has served as a successful Illinois public school district
administrator for approximately thirty years. He has earned
graduate level degrees in educational administration including an
earned Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. His doctoral
research was in the field of school finance and he brings an extensive
practical financial leadership to Aurora University. He has
published several articles on the topic of public school finance.
He has served as a financial consultant and an interim superintendent
for several school districts. He remains very active in several
statewide administrative professional organizations. |
|
Dr.
Kathleen Bradley |
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| Dr.
Deborah Brotcke Professor of Education 
Dr. Brotcke brings a wealth of elementary school teaching experience
in both the public and private sectors. She earned her master's and
doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University
and an MEL from Aurora University. She joined the AU faculty in 1992
and has taught at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. She
launched the partnership model of teacher preparation in District
129, training undergraduates in collaboration with classroom teachers
at Freeman, Fearn and Greenman elementary schools. Dr. Brotcke specializes
in reading and language arts but her real passion is children's and
young adult literature, evidenced by her extensive personal library.
Currently, she is teaching in the Master of Arts in Reading Instruction
program. |
|
| Dr.
Alicia Cosky Professor and Director, School of Health and Physical Education 
Dr. Cosky received her Bachelor’s Degree from Wayne State University,
and her Master’s and Doctorate Degrees from Northern Illinois
University. Dr. Cosky joined Aurora University in 1993. She serves
a dual appointment in the College of Professional Studies and the
College of Education. Dr. Cosky chairs the Council on Certification
for School Personnel and is a member of the Initial Certification
Committee, serving as liaison for the teacher preparation program
in Physical Education. She teaches PED2600 Motor Development, PED30000
Teaching Physical Education in the Elementary School and PED4100 Administration
of Physical Education. As director of the School of Health and Physical
Education, she is responsible for three major areas of study, K-12
Teacher Certification/6-12 Health Education Certification, Athletic
Training, and Fitness and Health Promotion. Preparation of future
physical educators is accomplished within the context of the “new”
Physical Education curriculum that focuses on the development of the
whole child. Sport activities are used as a means rather than an end
in developing children and youth. The “body/brain” connection
is receiving renewed attention in the field as the latest research
affirms that classroom learning is enhanced through human movement.
She believes that this is truly an exciting time for the field of
Physical Education and in the preparation of future professionals. |
|
Michael
De Haven |
|
| Dr.
Marvin Edwards Associate Professor of Education  Dr.
Edwards has enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher and school
leader. He came to Aurora University after serving nine years
as Superintendent in School District U-46, in Elgin, Illinois, the
state's second largest school district. His 22 years as a superintendent
included stints as Superintendent in Dallas, Texas, Topeka, Kansas,
and Joliet, Illinois. He also held a variety of administrative
posts prior to becoming a superintendent, including Department Chair,
Dean of Students, High School Principal, and Assistant Superintendent.
Dr. Edwards has taught as an adjunct professor in several universities
in four states, including Aurora University during his 36 years in
education. In 1998 he was selected "Illinois Superintendent
of the Year", and was recognized as one of the four best superintendents
in the nation in the same year. A native of Danville, Illinois,
Dr. Edwards earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois
University, a graduate degree from Chicago State University, and a
doctorate from Northern Illinois University. Dr. Edwards serves as
a member of the Ed.D. program faculty. |
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| Dr. Joan Erickson Associate Professor of Education and Special Education  Dr. Erickson was a special education and reading teacher for 12 years before completing her Ph. D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She came to Aurora University after 19 years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she was Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Great Plains Institute of Reading and Writing. Dr. Erickson also served as the on-site Director of the UNL Reading Center that served school-aged students with reading and writing disabilities. Her research interests relate to special education and literacy instruction for students with disabilities. She has published articles in such professional journals as The Reading Teacher, Intervention in School and Clinic, Learning Disabilities Research and Practice and Teaching Exceptional Children. She is the 1996 recipient of the International Reading Association’s Albert J. Harris Award. She teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in education and special education. |
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| Dr. Brian Husby Associate Professor of Education and Special Education  Dr. Husby has been in the field of education for over twenty five years. A native of Canada, Dr. Husby received his undergraduate degrees in Sociology/Psychology and Special Education from Canada's Centennial University, University of Lethbridge. His graduate studies lead him to study at the University of Oregon (M.S.) and the University of Arizona (Ph.D). Dr. Husby has taught in the field of disability studies at several colleges in Canada as well as doing national and international consulting. He has authored grants and written extensively in the areas of disability studies, social/human rights, teacher collaboration, literacy and professional development. His research interests have focused on qualitative research designs investigating a wide range of topics Additionally, he has successfully authored multiple grants and written/presented extensively in the fields of disability studies, teacher collaboration, literacy and professional development. He describes himself as a "social advocate" and "a passionate teacher", both of which have been recognized with a number of local, national and international awards. Dr. Husby teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in special education. |
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| Dr. Thomas Jackson Assistant Professor of Education  Dr. Jackson has his doctorate and MS.Ed. from Northern Illinois University. Previously, he taught elementary school for several years, and for five years prior to joining the College of Education at Aurora University, he taught at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Jackson’s teaching interests have been related to technology, teacher mentoring and professional development as well as teacher leadership. His research interests include students and teachers using integrated classroom technology, and his dissertation focused on differences in elementary student’s learning as a result of daily use of integrated technology. Over the past 5 years he has served as a presenter at several technology conferences including Kappa Delta Pi, Illinois Education and Technology, Illinois Technology Conference for Educators, as well as the International Technology Education Association. Dr. Jackson currently Initial Certification program. |
|
| Dr.
Maribeth Juraska Assistant Professor of Education and MATC Faculty Chair  Dr. Juraska has her doctorate from Aurora University and her MS.Ed.
from Northern Illinois University. Previously, she taught middle school
Language Arts for several years, and for four years prior to joining
the College of Education at Aurora University, she taught at Northern
Illinois University. Dr. Juraska's teaching interests have been related
to secondary and middle school education, assessment, multiculturalism,
and reading and writing in the content atea. Her research interests
include field experiences, and her dissertation focused on cooperating
schools' student teaching placement decisions. She also has served
on the Board of Directors for the Chicagoland chapter of ASTD. Dr.
Juraska currently serves on various committees including the Council
on Certification and Graduate Affairs committee, and teaches in the
Initial Certification program. |
|
| Dr. Jennifer Kohnke Assistant Professor of Education  Dr. Kohnke earned her doctorate of education from Roosevelt University with a research focus on how to sustain and support student motivation within the context of a writing workshop. She holds degrees in both education and psychology. Dr. Kohnke taught courses in developmental reading and psychology at William Rainey Harper College and qualitative research methods at Roosevelt University before joining the faculty at AU in 2008. Prior to earning her doctorate of education from Roosevelt University, Dr. Kohnke worked as a second, third and fourth grade teacher in School District U-46. She actively publishes curriculum units and has been on the editorial team for various teacher idea books. |
|
| Dr.
Otha Lang Associate Professor of Education 
Dr. Otha O. Lang earned the Ed.D. Degree in educational administration
from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He was an
elementary principal and a middle school principal during his 34-year
career in the public schools of Illinois. Prior to joining the faculty
of the College of Education at Aurora University, Dr. Lang was an
adjunct professor of educational administration at Governors State
University in University Park, Illinois. For a decade he served on
the Board of Education for the Troy Community Consolidated School
District 30C in Shorewood, Illinois. During the last three years of
his tenure, he was the President of the Board and led the district
in the construction of an elementary school, "a state of the
arts" middle school, administrative center, and a transportation
and maintenance facility. Educational leadership and school and community
relations are his areas of specialty in the graduate program. |
|
Dr.
Roberta Linder |
|
| Dr.
Dan H. McAllister Assistant Professor of Education 
Dr. McAllister earned a Ph.D. in educational administration, with
an emphasis in supervision of instruction, at the University of Wisconsin
- Madison. Dan transitioned from his role as a high school principal,
a position in which he served for sixteen years. His school was recognized
as a blue ribbon school. Dan began his career as a high school English
teacher and coach before serving for many years as a junior high school
principal, director of secondary education, assistant superintendent
for instruction, and special assistant to the superintendent. He teaches
in the MAEL and MAT programs. |
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|
Dr.
Kim Pittman Professor of Education 
Dr. Pittman worked as a middle school and high school science teacher
and served as the district science specialist before joining AU in
1997. Dr. Pittman's dissertation focused on the use of analogies and
metaphors to facilitate conceptual change in science knowledge acquisition.
Dr. Pittman received her Ed.D from National-Louis University, her
M.A. from University of Illinois-Chicago and her B.A. from Drake University.
Dr. Pittman teaches curriculum development and advises students in
research in the MAT, MAEL and Ed.D. programs. Dr. Pittman actively
publishes and presents research in the area of teacher pedagogy. |
|
| Dr.
Dionnes Rivera Assistant Professor of English as a Second Language  A
retired ESL/Bilingual Program Director in School District U-46, Dionnes
has 34 years of experience in education. She received her doctorate
of education from National-Lewis University in 2001. Dionnes has two
children; her youngest being an AU graduate. She has four grandchildren
and one pet rabbit. She enjoys writing children’s books; collecting
sea shells, corals and sea fossils; and dancing to salsa music. Dionnes
was previously an adjunct professor for AU for the past three years. |
|
| Dr.
Alice Rusevic Associate Professor of Education  Dr. Rusevic has over 32 years of elementary school teaching experience, including fourteen years as Gifted Coordinator where she designed, developed and implemented the school district's Gifted Program. She earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education and her doctorate in Instructional Design with a minor in Gifted Education. She joined the Master's of Education Program at Aurora University in 1997. She works in the MAT, MARI and MAEL programs teaching the action research process, differentiation of instruction, and assessment. She presents workshops at local and state conferences on the topics of assessment, learning styles, and visual thinking skills. |
|
| Dr.
Deborah Stevens Associate Professor of Education 
Dr. Stevens is an assistant professor of education teaching methods
courses in the areas of reading/language arts and content area reading
and writing. Prior to earning a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction
from Loyola University Chicago in 1992, Dr. Stevens was an elementary
school teacher. The use of nonfiction literature in the formative stages
of reading development and reading to learn was the focus of her dissertation
research. She is currently the Scholar-in-Residence for The Partnership
School and Freeman Elementary School. Dr. Stevens actively presents
staff development workshops to elementary practitioners in the areas
of literacy, math and science. Dr. Stevens has twelve years of service
as vice-president of a public school board of education. |
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|
Dr.
John Struck |
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| Dr.
Jerald (Jay) Thomas Assistant Professor of Education and University Assessment Coordinator  Dr.
Jerald (Jay) Thomas spent fourteen years at the Illinois Mathematics
and Science Academy (IMSA) before joining Aurora University. He holds
a doctorate in educational psychology and has research and teaching
interests in gifted education and foundations of education. He is
currently serving as president of NCSSSMST, a national consortium
of over 90 secondary schools for students gifted in math, science,
and technology. Jay has served on the NCSSSMST board of directors
since 1997 and is also currently co-editor of the /NCSSSMST Journal./
Jay is co-author of /Foundations of Meaningful Educational Assessment/
(McGraw-Hill). |
|
Jessica Vivirito |
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| Dr.
Jim Varney |
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PART-TIME FACULTY |
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| PRO-RATA
FACULTY - teach five or more courses per year |
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SUPPORT
STAFF |
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Updated: 29 February 2008
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College
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Judy retired from teaching at West Aurora High School in 2005. Judy
was a Child Development teacher in the Family and Consumer Science
Department for 34 years. Prior to teaching at West High, Judy taught
one year at Hononegah High School in Rockton, IL. During her years
at West Aurora she served on many committees and chaired the VALEES
Early Childhood Education Committee for 14 years. Judy initiated
and developed the Future Educators of America Club at West High
in the fall of 1996 where she was the advisor for 9 years. Judy's
involvement in Future Educators Association at West High led to
her current position at Aurora University. Judy has also taught
Child Development at Northern Illinois University in the Family,
Consumer and Nutrition Sciences Department. In addition, she does
Future Educator Advisor trainings for Phi Delta Kappa International.
Kathleen Bradley received her A.B. in
Psychology from Princeton University and her Ph.D. in Learning Disabilities,
Communication Sciences & Disorders, from Northwestern University.
For the ten years before joining the faculty in the College of Education
at Aurora University, she taught at Northwestern University, serving
as both the undergraduate advisor for her specialty area of learning
disabilities, and teaching in the Master’s program for students
receiving certification as a Learning Behavior Specialist I. Her
interests include the impact of learning disabilities on social
skills of students, including issues of self-image, locus of control,
and self-determination. She is also interested in the perceptions
people have of students with learning disabilities and how these
perceptions influence their behavior toward the students. 
Michael
De Haven is currently on the faculty at AU doing research and teaching
in educational psychology, cognitive development and the assessment
of learning. He has recently been adjunct faculty at Northern Illinois
University in the Department of Educational Psychology and the Foundations
of Education teaching graduate seminars in the foundations of language
minority education as well as courses in the history, sociology
and philosophy of education. For the last seventeen years he has
taught Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Integrated courses in
the physical and social sciences at the Illinois Mathematics and
Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois. He has a Masters Degree in
Medieval History from Northern Illinois University, has done graduate
study in Economics, History and Education at the University of Chicago
and Columbia University and is currently completing doctoral studies
in educational psychology at Northern Illinois University. His current
academic research is in the semiotics of teaching and learning and
revolutionary pedagogy. Mr. De Haven's leisure time is devoted to
his family, his dogs (Eoin the Deerhound, Maggie the Australian
Shepherd and Richelieu the Whippet), the board game Go, and the
study of pre-eighteenth century Japanese culture.
During
her 31 years of public school teaching experience, Dr. Linder has
taught middle school and high school special education classes,
math and reading for seventh grade at-risk students, and reading
for seventh grade general education students. She also served as
department head for both special education and reading. Dr. Linder
was recently recognized in the 2005-2006 edition of the Who's
Who Among America's Teachers. Dr. Linder received her Ed.D.
in Curriculum and Instruction in Literacy Education from Northern
Illinois University. An active member in local, state, and national
reading organizations, Dr. Linder has made numerous presentations
and is currently serving as Corresponding Secretary for the Northern
Illinois Reading Conference. 
Jessica has a BA in Art from DePaul University, a M.SEd in Elementary Education from NIU, and a M.SEd in Foundations of Education from NIU. She hopes to finish a doctorate in the coming years. Jessica has taught art, science, and outdoor education at the elementary level in both public school settings and community based programs. She holds a Type 03 teaching certification with a middle school endorsement. Most recently, Jessica has been an adjunct faculty member at Harper College and Northern Illinois University. Her academic interests center on social justice, curricular theory, teacher identity, and the integration of science, social studies and environmental concerns. 
Dr.
Varney has been an educator for over thirty years. After receiving
his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State
University in 1973, Dr. Varney began a thirty-three year career
in the West Aurora public school system by teaching first grade
at Lincoln Elementary. He earned a Master's Degree from Northern
Illinois University in 1977 and became the Director of Early Childhood
Programs. After earning a Certificate of Advanced Study from National-Louis
University in 1990, he became principal at Todd, Schneider and Freeman
Elementary schools. In 1996, Dr. Varney began teaching Masters Program
Cohorts and became a University Supervisor for Aurora University.
Dr. Varney earned his Ed.D. in Administration from Aurora University
in 2003 and began a full-time professorship in the College of Education
in 2006.