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Faculty and Staff

Dr. Belinda B. Mitchell
Title	Associate Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences; Director, School of Education; Associate Professor
Email	bmitchel@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5781
Dr. Mitchell is serving as the Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences as well 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; Coordinator of Social Studies and Secondary Education Programs
Email	jallen@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5778
Dr. Allen currently serves as an Associate Professor of Education, Specialization Coordinator for the Secondary Social Studies Education program, and Coordinator for Secondary Education at Shepherd University. In these roles, Dr. Allen facilitates both graduate and undergraduate courses within the School of Education. Dr. Allen has presented inquiry-based instructional strategies at numerous conferences on topics including “Slam Dunk! Using Sports Sources to Teach Political Topics”; “Using ‘The Force’ in Social Studies Instruction”; “Teachers Assemble! Using the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Your Social Studies Classroom”; “More Than Meets the Eye: The Cold War”; “Weaving a Historical Inquiry: Using the Bayeux Tapestry as a Classroom Inquiry”; and “A Classroom Renaissance: Integrating the Arts and Social Studies.” Dr. Allen has also recently published a series of articles focused on the HIPPO inquiry approach to instruction as part of the Hollywood or History lesson plan series. Most recently, Dr. Allen completed a fellowship at the Library of Congress through the Transformative Teaching Initiative.

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. Dr. Cole facilitates both undergraduate and graduate courses within the School. 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. Rhonda Hovatter
Title	Associate Professor and Co-Coordinator of Physical Education
Email	RHOVATTE@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5233
Dr. Hovatter is currently serving as an Associate Professor in the educator preparation program at Shepherd University. She also co-coordinates the Physical Education Teacher Education program and teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. She has presented at multiple national conferences on topics such as: Minds in Motion Everyday: A Physical Education Approach to Literacy; Student Teaching: 101; Tactical Games Teaching; and Future Professionals Wanted! See What Professional Leadership Roles Await YOU! Dr. Hovatter has also published numerous articles and editorials including: Monitoring Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in High School Physical Education; Assisting Physical Educators in Promoting the Affective Domain; Physical Activity Level and Well-Being: Youth Living in Rural Areas; Speedminton: Using the Tactical Games Model in Secondary PE, Deck Tennis: A Prerequisite to Net Sports; Dodgeball: The Jokes on Us and Rounders: An Alternative Sticking and Fielding Game, just to name a few. CREDENTIALS Doctor of Education (EDD); Concentration in Professional Development; Ashland University, Ashland, OH. Masters of Science (MS) in Physical Education (Pedagogy and Coaching Fundamentals); Ohio University, Athens, OH. Bachelor of Science (MS) in Physical Education and Health Education (Summa Cum Laude and Salutatorian), Ashland University, Ashland, OH.

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

Dr. Julia Tracy
Title	Associate Professor and Co-Coordinator of Physical Education; Coordinator of MED Program
Email	JTracy@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5754
Dr. Tracy serves as an associate professor within the School of Education as well as Co-Coordinator of the Physical Education program and Coordinator of the Master of Education in Educational Leadership (MED) Program at Shepherd University. CREDENTIALS: Ph.D., Physical Education Educator Preparation (PETE), West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV M.S., Physical Education Educator Preparation (PETE), West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV B.S. in Education, Health and Physical Education, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

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. CREDENTIALS 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). CREDENTIALS Doctor of Education (EDD) – Educational Leadership/Curriculum & Instruction (ABD) Master of Science (MSED) – Instructional Design and Technology in Higher Education Master of Arts (MAED) – Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Science (BSED) – Early Childhood Education Teacher Certification: PK-3 and 1-8 Oklahoma; PK-K and K-6 West Virginia

Ms. Emily Tinsman
Title	Administrative Assistant
Email	etinsman@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5305
Office	KN #108