Heather Leaman (2005), Associate Professor
Chairperson

hleaman@wcupa.edu

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.

Lynda Baloche (1989), Professor

lbaloche@wcupa.edu

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

cdilucchio@wcupa.edu

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.

Michael J. Bell (2001), Associate Professor,  

mbell@wcupa.edu

B.A. Arizona State University

M.A. Northern Arizona University
Ph.D. University of Texas

Michael J. Bell received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Curriculum and Instruction in 1989. He received his Master's degree from the Northern Arizona University in 1980 and his baccalaureate degree in elementary education from Arizona State University in 1978. Dr. Bell had been a Head Start teacher and a primary and intermediate grade teacher in public schools. He has been a school and state-level administrator of early childhood programs and his most recent administrative position was the State Administrator of Early Childhood Programs in the Governor's Office in Arizona until 1996. Prior to coming to WCU, Dr. Bell was a member of the faculty at the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Dr. Bell has published a series of articles focusing on the education of children, early childhood and elementary school curriculum. Dr. Bell continues to write and lecture on integrated curriculum planning that promotes science, math, and literacy, while promoting critical thinking, inquiry among school children. Most recently, he published articles on primary grade science and technology.

James B. Blackburn (1998), Instructor

jblackburn@wcupa.edu

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

gbollin@wcupa.edu

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

dbrown@wcupa.edu

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

wcai@wcupa.edu

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.

Martha A. Drobnak (1992), Professor
mdrobnak@wcupa.edu
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.

Karen J. Johnson (2007), Assistant Professor

keverett@wcupa.edu

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

lfiorenza@wcupa.edu

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 (1995), Assistant Professor

lhanna@wcupa.edu

B.A. Immaculata College
M.A. Villanova University
Ed.D. Immaculata College

Dr. Hanna earned her BA in English, education, and theology from Immaculata University. Her MA in educational administration is from Villanova University, and her EdD in educational leadership is from Immaculata University. Dr. Hanna’s dissertation is entitled Homeschooling in the 1990s: An Issue of Access. She has been an instructor and field experience supervisor in the WCU Department of Elementary Education since 1995. In addition, she brings teaching experience from Wilkes University, Immaculata University, Temple University, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and served as the elementary principal of St. Francis of Assisi School (Springfield, Pennsylvania). Among her service activities, she has coordinated the WCU Teacher Education Day since 2003. Her research interests include homeschooling, supervision, responses to classroom management problems, multiple intelligences and learning styles, autistic children and the developmental stages of art, and changing professional needs and concerns among elementary education pre-service teachers. Dr. Hanna recently published, Barbaro, Smarty Jones and Ruffian: The People’s Horses. In this book, Dr. Hanna brings readers up-close-and-personal to the sport of thoroughbred horse racing. Through the lives of these three dynamic fan favorites, Hanna shares all aspects of the sport as well as many pieces of personal information on Barbaro, Smarty Jones and Ruffian gleaned from her intense research.

Sara Lamb Kistler (2004), Associate Professor

slamb@wcupa.edu

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.

Lisa J. Lucas (2008), Assistant Professor  

llucas@wcupa.edu

B.A. Lock Haven University

M.Ed. Cabrini College

Ed.D. Immaculata University

Lisa J. Lucas earned her BA in journalism and communications from Lock Haven University, her MEd from Cabrini College, and her EdD from Immaculata University.  She is a certified reading specialist, and also holds a certificate in organizational development. Her dissertation is entitled Coaching: Job Embedded Professional Development.  As background in the field of education, she brings five years’ experience in central office administration as well as sixteen years’ experience in elementary education teaching in the public and private schools.  Most recently, Dr. Lucas has been a program director for professional and organizational development.  She has also served as an elementary literacy and social studies program director, as an elementary literacy coordinator, and as a teacher on assignment for the West Chester Area School District. Dr. Lucas also provides coaching and consulting to school districts in the areas of literacy, teacher leadership, and strategic planning. She is committed to fostering teacher leadership and promoting healthy organizations. Outside of the academic realm Dr. Lucas is pursuing certification in life coaching and is pursuing her lifelong dream of building a pre-school that would provide developmentally appropriate instruction for all students.

Katherine Norris (2007), Assistant Professor  

knorris@wcupa.edu

B.S. West Chester University

M.S. St. Joseph's University

Ed.D. Temple University

Dr. Norris earned her doctoral degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology with an emphasis in reading from Temple University.  She received her Master's in Reading Education from Saint Joseph's University and her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University.  Katherine holds teaching certifications in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Reading, and Middle Years English.  As an adjunct, Katherine taught Multicultural Children's Literature at Richard Stockton College in New Jersey and College Reading and Study Skills at LaSalle University.  For eighteen years Katherine taught with the School District of Philadelphia in various positions.   Katherine spent time teaching first grade, middle school literacy, gifted support, and she spent time working as a high school reading specialist.  Katherine's research interests include literacy, diversity in education, and families.  During her down time Katherine enjoys reading and spending time with family.

Vicky M. Patton (1992), Assistant Professor

vpatton@wcupa.edu
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.

Catherine Prudhoe (1992), Professor

cprudhoe@wcupa.edu

B.S., M.S. Pennsylvania State University

Ph.D. University of Delaware

Dr. Prudhoe teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the early childhood education program.  She received her doctorate from the University of Delaware in Family Studies with a concentration in early childhood and early childhood/special education.   Her bachelor's and master's degrees are from Penn State in Individual and Family Studies and Human Development and Family Studies, respectively.  Dr. Prudhoe has taught young children in Head Start, the Penn State Child Development Laboratory, the Keene State Children's Center, and the University of Delaware's Preschool Laboratory Program. Her scholarship focuses on early literacy development and multicultural education.  Dr. Prudhoe's outside interests include attending the Philadelphia Orchestra performances and travel.

Donna R. Sanderson (2001), Associate Professor

dsanderson@wcupa.edu
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

fslostad@wcupa.edu
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

swinterton@wcupa.edu
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.