Martha A. Drobnak (1992), Professor
Chairperson
B.A. Grove City College
M.Ed. University of Pittsburgh
Ed.D. Nova University

Dr. Martha Drobnak joined the faculty at West Chester University in 1992 after teaching for ten years at Grove City College. She taught elementary school in Pittsburgh for five years prior to her college teaching career. She has taught numerous graduate and undergraduate level courses. Her primary areas of interest include elementary education curriculum and instruction and social studies education.

Lynda Baloche (1989), Professor
Assistant Chairperson and Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs
B.A. Trenton State College
M.Ed., Ed.D. Temple University

Prior to coming to West Chester University, Dr. Baloche taught for 13 years in public schools. At West Chester, she typically teaches Self and Group Processes in the Diverse Classroom, undergraduate and graduate courses in creativity, and graduate courses in integrated arts and cooperative learning. She is the author of The Cooperative Classroom, a text published by Prentice Hall, and serves as co-President of the International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education.

Connie L. DiLucchio (2003), Associate Professor
Coordinator of Graduate Programs
B.S. Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed. Pennsylvania State University
Ed.D. University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Connie DiLucchio joined the Department of Elementary Education in fall 2003. She has over ten years of experience supervising student teachers, over eighteen years of teaching experience in both elementary and middle schools, and holds both elementary and secondary principal's certification. Her research interests include preparation of pre-service teachers for diversity and teacher research.

James B. Blackburn (1998), Instructor
B.S., Shippensburg University
M.Ed. Villanova University

Professor Blackburn brings to his classroom a myriad of experiences accumulated during his 30+ years serving as a classroom teacher, principal, Director of Curriculum and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Curriculum in three Pennsylvania public school districts. At West Chester University he teaches EDE 200: Theory and Field Experience and supervises student teachers. Professor Blackburn is enthusiastic about his West Chester students and credits their humor, energy, vitality and dedication to his personal enjoyment and satisfaction each semester at the University.

Gail G. K. Bollin (1990), Professor
B.A. St. Bonaventure University
M.A. Purdue University
Ph.D. University of Delaware

Dr.Gail Bollin joined the faculty of West Chester University in 1990. She teaches child development courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level and Self and Group Processes in the Diverse Classroom. In Dr. Bollin’s Self and Group Processes in the Classroom course, her students have the opportunity to tutor young Hispanic children in their homes. Dr.Bollin has also co-taught The Inclusive Classroom and developed and taught several graduate workshops on the topics of family and school relationships, multicultural education, and bullying and teasing. For several years, Dr. Bollin has also run a workshop in Guanajuato, Mexico for teachers interested in learning how to better meet the needs of their Mexican students. Dr. Bollin is passionate about teaching. She has been awarded the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and is a past president of the Pennsylvania Society of Teaching Scholars. She has published articles on service learning, teaching for diversity and Mexican education.

Dave F. Brown (1991), Professor
B.S., M. S. Northern Illinois University
Ed.D. University of Tennessee

Dr. Dave F. Brown has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Outdoor Teacher Education both from Northern Illinois University. Dr. Brown taught and coached for thirteen years in the public schools in the Midwest and in northern Virginia before receiving his doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction with collaterals in educational psychology and child development from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Brown conducts research in middle level education and urban education. He frequently presents research findings at national conferences and provides inservice training for teachers nationally and state wide. Dr. Brown is the author of Becoming a Successful Urban Teacher published by Heinemann and the National Middle School Association in 2002. His most recent book is the second edition of What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know coauthored with Trudy Knowles published by Heinemann and the National Middle School Association in 2007.

Wei Wei Cai (1996), Professor
B.A. Beijing Teachers College
M.A. Bloomsburg University
Ed.D. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Wei Wei Cai joined the Department of Elementary Education in 1996. She teaches Self & Group Processes in the Diverse Classroom and Classroom Management and supervises student teachers. Dr. Cai advises the Alliance for Minority Preservice Teachers. Her research interests include multicultural education, global education and teaching and learning processes. She is the author of numerous articles on these topics.

Karen J. Everett (2007), Assistant Professor

B.S. Trenton State College

M.Ed. Rutgers University

Ph.D. The University at Albany

Before joining the faculty at West Chester University, Dr. Karen Everett taught elementary school for ten years and education majors at a college in New York for four years. Her research interests include technology integration and student teaching.  At West Chester, she typically teaches EDE 332: Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School and supervises student teachers.

Laura E. Fiorenza (1994), Instructor

B.A. West Chester University

M.Ed. West Chester University

Prior to teaching at West Chester University, Professor Fiorenza taught elementary school for twenty-three years. She has certifications in Elementary and Secondary Counseling. At West Chester University she has taught the following courses: Child Development, Theory and Field Experience, Inclusive Classrooms, Educational Psychology, Social Studies Methods, and Student Teaching Supervision. Professor Fiorenza enjoys the enthusiasm of pre-service teachers and feels that teaching is a reciprocal process where the instructor is also the student in the classroom.

Linda G. Hanna (2003), Instructor
B.A. Immaculata College
M.A. Villanova University
Ed.D. Immaculata College

Dr. Linda Hanna began supervising student teachers at West Chester University over ten years ago. Prior to this she completed nine years as a principal and 15 years as a classroom teacher in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. During these years she served as a member of the Curriculum Council for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and oversaw all the art education for the diocese. Dr. Hanna has worked extensively as an evaluator for Middle States and as a consultant for Sadlier and Scott-Foresman Publishers.

Sara Lamb Kistler (2004), Assistant Professor
B.S., M.A. West Chester University
Ph.D. University of Delaware

Before joining West Chester University faculty in fall 2004, Dr. Lamb Kistler taught linguistics and education courses and held a number of administrative positions, mainly at the University of Delaware and Widener University. She began her career as a public school teacher in Delaware. Among her interests are diversity in education, school bullying, discourse in the classroom, and language teaching and learning.

Heather Leaman (2005), Assistant Professor
B.S., M.Ed. Millersville University
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University

Prior to joining West Chester University faculty in 2004, Dr. Heather Leaman taught in public school for eleven years. Her research interests include teacher professional development and social studies education in the elementary school. At West Chester University Professor Leaman teaches EDE332: Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School, EDE554: The Reflective Teacher and EDE 611 Teacher as Classroom Researcher.

Vicky M. Patton (1992), Assistant Professor
B.A. University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
M.A. (Hons.) University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
Ph.D. Temple University

Dr. Patton has been teaching college students since 1986 and joined West Chester University in 1992. She has taught EDE 251 Child Development; EDE 352 Self and Group Processes in the Diverse Classroom; EDE 401 Creativity in the Classroom: and EDE 543 Creative Expression in the Elementary School. She wants her students and teachers to become better thinkers by enhancing their critical and creative thinking skills. Her current research focuses on facilitating self-reflective teaching and supporting creative expression in the classroom. She has recently published two articles that describe using teaching portfolios to scaffold self-study.

Donna R. Sanderson (2001), Associate Professor
B.S James Madison University
M.Ed. Widener University
Ed.D. University of Pennsylvania

Prior to joining the West Chester University faculty in 2001, Dr. Donna Sanderson held a variety of teaching/administrative positions in a public school district. She has taught undergraduate reading courses in the Literacy Department at West Chester University and at Gwynedd Mercy College. Additionally, she has taught graduate reading courses at Arcadia University. At West Chester, she teaches classroom management and Theory and Field courses and supervises student teachers. Dr. Sanderson's research interests include mentoring first year teachers and exploring the challenges teachers face instructing highly transient students.

Frances A. Slostad (1996), Associate Professor
B.S. West Chester University
M.A. Villanova University
Ed.D. Immaculata University

Dr. Fran Slostad has taught in three separate school districts in Pennsylvania and taught early childhood and elementary education courses at Neumann College before coming to West Chester University. She has a long history of supervising student teachers. She enjoys teaching graduates and undergraduates and supervising student teachers. Her research focuses on parent involvement in education.

Sally Winterton (1998), Associate Professor
B.S., Immaculata College
M.Ed., Villanova University
Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Winterton has extensive experience in public education – from classroom teaching to Central Office. Her research interests are in the areas of learning styles and multiple intelligences. Dr. Winterton is an equestrienne; she enjoys traveling, reading, and working with WCU students and faculty. At West Chester, she specializes in supervision of field experiences – EDE 200: Theory and Field and EDE 410/411: Student Teaching.