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School of Education

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Faculty and Staff

Dr. Belinda B. Mitchell
Title	Director of the School of Education, Associate Professor
Email	bmitchel@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5781
Dr. Mitchell is serving as the Director of the School of Education at Shepherd University. Dr. Mitchell received her doctorate degree in special education from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Dr. Mitchell is a certified Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) professional developer and has provided many different professional development topics/sessions in various states including West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Nebraska, Florida and Colorado. At Shepherd University, Dr. Mitchell has taught various courses both undergraduate and graduate in Special Education. She has also served in various administrative roles while at Shepherd. Prior to coming to Shepherd, Dr. Mitchell was an adjunct faculty member at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas; graduate teaching assistant at University of Kansas; special education teacher at Central Academy Middle School, Fincastle, Virginia. Her research interests are response to intervention (RTI), the role of the special educator and learning strategies for students with a learning disability. She especially enjoys providing professional development for in-service teachers and helping teachers practically apply their new knowledge in their classrooms. CREDENTIALS Ph.D. Special Education, University of Kansas

Dr. Jason Allen
Title	Associate Professor and Coordinator of Social Studies Education
Email	jallen@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5778
Dr. Allen is currently serving as an Associate Professor of Education as well as the Specialization Coordinator for the Secondary Social Studies Education program. Dr. Allen facilitates both graduate and undergraduate courses at Shepherd University. He has presented at multiple educational conferences on topics such as: Teaching Religion in the Social Studies Classroom, A Classroom Renaissance: Using the Arts in the Classroom, The Treatment on the Monotheistic Religions in World History Textbooks, Using “The Force” in Social Studies Instruction, and “Teachers Assemble!” Using the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Your Social Studies Classroom. CREDENTIALS Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction (Social Studies) West Virginia University: Morgantown, WV Master of Education/Secondary Education (Social Studies) West Virginia University: Morgantown, WV Bachelor of Arts (Major: History) (Minor: English) Shepherd College: Shepherdstown, WV Library of Congress TTI Fellow

Dr. Dawne R. Burke
Title	Professor
Email	dburke@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5292
Teaching sociology, psychology, and diversity issues at her alma mater, Dawne Raines Burke, Ph.D. is Professor of Education & Human Development in the School of Education at Shepherd University. Burke has published books, articles, book chapters, abstracts, conference proceedings, etc. A few of Burke’s titled publications are: An American Phoenix: A History of Storer College; Successful transitions from college to career (C2C). International Handbook of Research on Pedagogical Models for Next-Generation Teaching and Learning; John Storer: A Northern Midnight Meeting and the Southern Mission Begins. To Emancipate the Mind and Soul: Storer College 1867 – 1950; Paradigm Shifts: Resiliency Activation with Students in Higher Education. International Journal for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. University of Bahrain: Universal Design in the College Classroom. International Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching; Cultivating Educational Equity & Resiliency through Storytelling. International Association for Multicultural Education. CREDENTIALS Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Post-Doctoral M.A. Curriculum & Instruction, Shepherd University M.A. Master of Arts, West Virginia University B.A. Bachelor of Arts, Shepherd University

Dr. Tauna J. Cole
Title	Professor
Email	tcole@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5280
Dr. Cole serves as a professor of education within the School of Education at Shepherd University. CREDENTIALS Doctorate in Educational Leadership – West Virginia University MA in Literacy – West Virginia University MA in Special Education – West Virginia University MA in Reading – West Virginia University

Dr. LeAnn Johnson
Title	Professor; MAT, MET, & CERT First Coordinator; Kappa Delta Pi Faculty Advisor
Email	ljohnson@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5508
Dr. Johnson is currently serving as a Professor of Education as well as Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education in Teaching (MET), and CERT First Programs at Shepherd University. She teaches courses in literacy as well as special education and conducts the clinical support course required for all candidates in the EPP. Dr. Johnson has a special interest in supporting the application of research-supported teaching practices in classrooms around the world. To this end, she chairs the steering committee for the annual Literacy Leaders Conference, which brings teachers throughout the region together for a day of professional development. She is spearheading the “Books and Balls Library Project,” helping to establish school libraries in under-resourced Kenyan primary schools. Dr. Johnson often presents at professional conferences promoting best practices in developing literacy. Her recent publications include the following: “Dig Deep: Professional Development from Project-Based Exploration and Classroom Application of Reading Strategies for Teacher Candidates;” “Students Shouldn’t Take Notes: Teach them to MAKE Notes;” and “The Imperative for Real-World Experiences in Kenyan Teacher Preparation for Disability Inclusive Teaching.” She also serves Shepherd University as the faculty advisor for Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. CREDENTIALS Ph.D. in Special Education, Concentration in Literacy, University of Maryland Master of Science (MS), Concentration in Reading Instruction, University of Maryland Bachelor of Science (BS), Concentration in Special Education, Utah State University

Dr. Tracy Nichols
Title	Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Elementary Education
Email	tnichols@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5039
Dr. Nichols is an Assistant Professor for the School of Education at Shepherd University and is the Specialization Coordinator for the Elementary Education program. She teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, specializing in teaching methods and supporting teacher candidates in the field. Prior to coming to Shepherd, she taught for more than a decade in elementary classrooms, taking on various leadership roles. Dr. Nichols has presented at conferences and to faculty peers and in-service teachers on a variety of topics, including Implementing Writers Workshops; Supporting Gifted & Talented Students; Universal Design for Learning, and Using Numberless Word Problems to Build Math Literacy. She promotes the development of dynamic learning environments and adaptive teaching practices as foundational to effective teaching. CREDENTIALS: Ph.D. General Psychology with Emphasis on Cognition and Instruction – Grand Canyon University (AZ) M.Ed. Elementary Education – University of Phoenix (AZ) Teacher Certification/License (AZ) – Elementary Education, K-8 Endorsements: Gifted Education Specialist, Reading Specialist, Structured English Immersion

Mrs. Helen Baker
Title	Field Placement Coordinator
Email	hbaker@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5270
Mrs. Baker is currently serving as the coordinator of field placement in the School of Education at Shepherd University. Mrs. Baker coordinates field placements for education courses in addition to student teaching and residency placements for all education students and teacher candidates. Mrs. Baker teaches EDUC 150 online and EDUC 390. Mrs. Baker also serves as an advisor for elementary education students. CREDENTIALS Online Teaching Certifications for Sakai Master of Science, Strategic Leadership, Mountain State University Bachelor of Arts, Secondary Education, Shepherd University

Mrs. Karen James
Title	Certification Analyst
Email	kjames@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5403

Ms. Terresa Kepner
Title	Coordinator of Educator Preparation Program / Accreditation & Compliance
Email	tkepner@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5291
Ms. Kepner is currently serving as Coordinator of Educator Preparation Program / Accreditation & Compliance within the School of Education at Shepherd University, where she also advises students in the Elementary Education program. She serves as peer reviewer for Higher Education Accreditation with both the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Terresa is an alumna of Rho Theta Sigma and Kappa Delta Pi and is currently a member of NAEYC, the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education (NAECTE), the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA), the West Virginia Association for Young Children (WVAYC), and the Northern Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (NVAEYC). Her research interests include first-year early childhood teacher experiences in the classroom; multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion; UDL and ELLs in the EE classroom; educational and instructional technology in both early education and higher education; and classroom management strategies with a focus on building resilience and positive environments in the early childhood classroom. CREDENTIALS Doctor of Education (EDD) – Curriculum & Instruction (ABD), University of Phoenix, AZ Master of Science (MS) – Instructional Design and Technology in Higher Education, Kaplan University, Davenport, IA Master of Arts (MAED) – Early Childhood Education, University of Phoenix, AZ Bachelor of Science (BSED) – Early Childhood Education, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK

Emily Tinsman
Title	Administrative Assistant
Email	etinsman@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5305