Faculty and staff from Niagara University’s College of Education presented their research at the annual conference of the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, Feb. 23-24, 2023, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Associate professor Dr. Sylvia Valentin explored recent research in integrating social justice in teacher education programs, including current approaches and challenges faced by preservice teachers and teachers. Assistant professor Dr. Caitlin Riegel and her colleague, Dr. Jennie Carr of Bridgewater College, presented on the perceptions and attitudes of math teachers that have been found to have an impact on students. Dr. Karen Poland, assistant professor, offered insight into how national curricular battles play out on a local level by re-examining a popular textbook controversy of the 1930s to illustrate the complexity of the curriculum-decision making process and the importance of local voice in a democratic society, and Dr. Elizabeth Falzone, assistant professor, reviewed a collaborative partnership between a university and P-12 school district to create culturally authentic literacy experiences for teacher candidates and P-12 English language learners.
In addition, associate professor Dr. Michelle Ciminelli; Tracia McKissic, director of teacher education field experience; and Drs. Valentin, Poland, and Falzone described the challenges, success, process, and decision-making factors involved in the transition from a temporary online program to a fully online delivery for a Master of Education initial teacher education program.
Dr. Riegel and Dr. Chandra Foote, dean of the College of Education, currently serve on the AILACTE board of directors. The organization, an affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, provides an effective voice for member institutions at the national, state, and campus level in matters related to teacher education.