Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I have been a FT Adjunct Faculty member in the Education & Communication Department for 9 years. I have an MS degree in Education and I am completing my studies at Purdue University Global for an MS degree in Psychology. I am the Faculty Advisor for the PG National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

Outside of the University, I am a NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (L-CAT). I am credentialed as a Journal to the Self Therapeutic Writing Specialist, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and Certified International Health Coach. I have extensive training in Health, Nutrition, Wellness, Contemporary Health Issues, & Interpersonal Communication. In private practice, my areas of expertise include Therapeutic Writing & Holistic Mental Health; Health, Nutrition, and Wellness; Disordered Eating; and Resilience, Thriving, and Coping Skills. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My career and work experience have always focused on the needs of diverse populations in the inclusionary setting. Teaching in the non-traditional University setting has afforded me the opportunity to apply my outside experiences to meet the learning needs of our diverse students while employing the use of differentiated instruction. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

Each step that I have taken along my career path has allowed me to reach higher and continue to grow. In my role as an Educator, I have been fortunate to be able to build onto my expertise and gain multiple achievements in my work with students of all ages. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Believe in yourself and in your abilities to succeed! Keep moving forward and be proud of your accomplishments, every step of the way. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I teach a variety of early childhood education courses. I enjoy helping students understand how quality early care and education makes a difference in the lives of children and families. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

Suzanne has a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and a M.S. in Speech and Hearing from the University of Kansas. She taught hearing impaired children at the University of Kansas, Vanderbilt University’s Bill Wilkerson Speech and Hearing Clinic, and Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri. She opened and directed an NAEYC Accredited early childhood learning center for 17 years in a faith based setting in Sarasota, Florida. She was the Executive Director of a non-profit professional membership organization, the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children, for 18 years. Currently Suzanne lives in Tampa, Florida and has been an adjunct professor at Purdue University Global teaching in Early Childhood Administration for 6 years. Suzanne currently teaches kindergarten in a religious institution. She is the author of the book, Building Children’s Brains: 600 Activity Ideas published by Red Leaf Press. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My experience working with children with profound hearing losses and other special needs allows me to share a variety of experiences with my students. Having run an accredited early care and education program gives me insight into what is necessary for quality. I know how to work with diverse families and to provide community resources for both typical and atypical children and families. I spent many years as an early childhood advocate and can share insight into how to work with community leaders and legislators. Being Jewish has taught me how to fight discrimination and speak up when I see injustice. Continuing to teach young children allows me to see societal change and knowledge of the ever changing of young families. I use technology in various ways for my work in community organizations. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

I always knew I wanted to teach and had a child in the family with a profound hearing loss. The head of the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he went for tutoring in learning to talk as a preschooler, took me under her wing and mentored me throughout high school, providing me a role in their preschool program. After graduation, I became a teacher at the medical center running a demonstration preschool for doctors and nurses. I also had many mentors in the early childhood field through children's organizations, local, state, and national. I was encouraged to run for offices and learned to much. I was selected to present at many early childhood conferences throughout the United States. I was fortunate to be chosen to teach brain development to teachers all over the state of Florida and saw the need for a practical book on the application into the classroom. Using all my experiences, I was able to write a book and revise it four times over the years. My career morphed into my wonderful job at Purdue University Global! 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Be open to new ideas and learn from others. Never stop pursuing new avenues of learning and seek out mentors. Enjoy each and every experience. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I have been an adjunct at Kaplan and now Purdue Global for 13 years. I have taught a variety of courses in the Early Childhood Education program. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I started out wanting to become a Kindergarten teacher with my B.S. degree in Elementary Education. I then pursued a Master's degree in Child and Family Studies followed by a doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision. I have been involved in higher education for more than twenty years. During that time I continued to work in public schools in a variety of roles. I have worked in various parts of the United States which has brought about opportunities to experience diverse cultures, ethnic groups, abilities as well as economic status. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

I find that my real life experiences connected with the course materials lends to my credibility as an instructor for the courses. I taught for 10 years in the Chicago area visiting many schools as I supervised student teachers. I then worked in Montana for more than 15 years in both higher education as well as elementary schools. Earlier in my career I was an itinerant public school preschool teacher for young children with disabilities. All of these experiences have led to a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges that young children and their families face on a daily basis. Those are the real life experiences that I can share in the courses I teach 

How did you find your way to your career path?

I always new I wanted to be a teacher. I really was focused on teaching Kindergarten. My first position was as a preschool teacher for three to five year old students. Since then I have worked with students from Pre-K through 5th grade. I realized that every group has positives. Then I decided that I could have a bigger impact on children and families if I worked with pre-service teachers and that is how I got into higher education. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Choose a career that you are passionate about. That will provide the motivation to keep moving forward overcoming the challenges that you may be faced with. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I have been with PG for 16 years. I started as an adjunct, then went to full-time adjunct and finally I was hired as a full time faculty. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I wear many hats outside of PG. I started as a public school speech and hearing teacher and then a Reading specialist (MS Ed). I was a private tutor for reading for many years. I also have a PhD in K-12 teaching and learning as well as five other degrees. I have an AAS in Criminology, a BS in Business Administration, a second MS Ed in Instructional Design, a graduate certificate in Human Resources, and an ABA certificate.

Lifelong learning is so important to me. I am a volunteer volleyball coach at my local YMCA. I have run a youth volleyball program going on 11 years this fall for ages 5-18. I am also an NCAA III collegiate coach (my 3rd season). I am a former homeschooling parent of 27 years. I still work a great deal with the homeschooling community. I evaluate of 600 students every year in the state of PA. I started and ran a private, religious school in PA for six years. I also started Valley Learning Cooperative 5 years ago. VLC currently serves 90+ students and is a democratic homeschool cooperative. I am the Educational Director at Maranatha Home Missions Network (a not for profit organization started nearly 40 years ago by my parents) , and the President of Lycoming & Clinton County Homeschool Association of PA. These positions are all volunteer work that I do in the homeschooling community. This is where my diversity and inclusion come into play as the homeschooling community is varied and requires me to work with families from all backgrounds, ethnicities, economic status, and faiths. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

These roles help me to improve my leadership skills and because I am intimately involved with 600 k-12 grade students it keeps me present in the field. I am constantly supporting parents in developing curriculum for their students. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

I have always loved education, but once I became a mother, I knew I would stay home and educate my own children at home. My goal was to be able to also be an advocate for the homeschooling community. I knew most stay at home moms would not go to school to get their doctorate. So I did it for those moms. Once I earned my PhD, I couldn't stop there. I wanted to be able to support educators at the earliest stages and still be able to stay home with my own children. Online teaching seemed the perfect fit. For me the learning never stops. I am working on my 9th credential in education. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Your future is what you make it. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I teach early childhood classes online, and I love every minute working at Purdue Global. The students are eager to share their knowledge, and once a classroom community is formed, we learn from each other. I've had the pleasure of presenting several workshops with my peer and friend, Suzanne Gellens, and we always have the support our Department Chair, Dr. Dena AuCoin. Dena makes my job at Purdue a delight, and she is always ready to assist in any way possible, assuring that the students and her department members are really having a stress-free journey at Purdue Global. I am beyond grateful to be doing what I love in this positive atmosphere! 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I teach at various colleges, so I have the opportunity to work with a diverse group of adult learners. My minor was diversity, so this learning helps me assure a positive, respective, and individualized learning atmosphere that meets the needs of each student.

Currently, I, also, present quality and interactive early childhood workshops for various conferences and college professional development venues.

I was in the early childhood classroom environment for over 16 years, which prepared me for teaching adults. I took the leap into adult teaching, because I believe that I can impact more young children by teaching their teachers. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

Without a doubt, my experience presenting workshops and working in the classroom gave me the knowledge and the overall perspective of early childhood. As I began to interact more with educators, I was able to step back and look at life through their eyes, as early childhood educators. So my classroom experience offered me the perspective of young children and my workshops opened my eyes to the educators, which offered me a very real starting point to my journey teaching online. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

When I left the classroom to present workshops, I fell in love instantly with working with educators. I truly believed that I had become an advocate for young children, as I shared developmentally appropriate practices. At that point, I wanted to enhance my knowledge to share with educators further, so I returned to school to obtain my Master's Degree. After leaving one on-line college to join a different college, I realized the power of online learning, when the teacher's presence was known. At this point, I knew that I found a home in the virtual environment. Almost immediately after graduation, I was able to join the teaching staff at a local state college, and the rest was history. I advocate for on-line learning and early childhood education in every class that I teach; it does not get any better! 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Communicate, communicate, and comunicate some more. Ask questions to assure understanding. Get involved, going beyond the requirements. The more you give, the more you will get. Intentionally be aware of all the learning opportunities that Purdue Global offers, and enjoy every moment of the journey. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I am an adjunct professor in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. I have taught several courses in the department and am the course lead for CE371. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I have worked in public education as a teacher and principal in North Carolina and Virginia for 24 years. I currently serve as a principal of a Pre-K through 5th grade school in Fayetteville, North Carolina. My experience includes serving as a principal at three very diverse elementary schools, one of which served as an exceptional children’s center for the school district.

I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Methodist University. I was chosen as a North Carolina Principal Fellow in 1996 and began study toward a Master of School Administration from Fayetteville State University. I returned to school in 2013 to earn my Educational Specialist Degree and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University.

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My experience in public education has easily transferred into teaching at the college level. I am heavily involved in teaching and mentoring my staff. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

I found my career path by following my passion. I have always had a passion for teaching and learning. From the time I was a child I knew I wanted to be a teacher. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Stay the course! Don't give up on your dreams. Small steps lead to accomplishments. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I am a professor in Early Childhood Administration. I am also the Faculty Advisor for Autism Speaks U here at Purdue University Global. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I am a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in the state of Florida. In this role, I work with many diverse families, foster families, and other caregivers to ensure that the children I work with are in safe and healthy living and learning environments. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My volunteer work ensures that I continue to develop strategies to work with diverse families, professionals, and children. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

After I completed my PhD, I was hired to teach a new course on working with children with special needs as an adjunct. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

I think it is important to get involved in student life here at Purdue University Global and to join committees in these groups.