EECE Faculty & Staff

Faculty and staff in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education possess a broad range of expertise in research and curriculum development, including, but not limited to:

Preparing teachers for culturally and linguistically diverse learning environments
Differentiating instruction
Promoting literacy across the content areas
Developing students’ critical thinking skills
STEM education
Social justice education
Appreciating human diversity

Our faculty also have expertise in online learning and course development.

Through the use of a continuous improvement process, faculty and staff strive to enhance the quality of our undergraduate and graduate programs through the redesign of course requirements and field experiences that address the rigor of the standards provided by national content organizations, as well as the ever-changing demands of the 21st century.

EECE Interim Chair

Name

Position

Stacy Delacruz
Stacy Delacruz Interim Chair of EECE and Professor of Reading

Position:
Interim Chair of EECE and Professor of Reading

Phone: (470) 578-6626
Email: sdelacru@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3203

My research expertise is K-12 digital literacy, focusing on digital equity, multiliteracies, and embedding technology tools into literacy teaching and learning. I have presented at ISTE, ILA, LRA, etc., and have published in journals such as Techtrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, and The Journal of Reading Education. I also currently serve as the President-Elect of the Organization of Teacher Educators in Literacy, a special interest group of the International Literacy Association.

Faculty

Name

Position

Erin Adams
Erin Adams Associate Professor

Position:
Associate Professor

Phone: (470) 578-2781
Email: eadams55@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3024

I primarily teach courses on social studies methods and classroom communities. I am interested in the teaching and learning of economics, discourses about work in schools, and using poststructural theories to understand our socio-economic contexts.
Theresa Alviar
Theresa Alviar Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction

Position:
Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction

Phone: (470) 578-5066
Email: talviar@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3209

My research and teaching examine curriculum and teachers within the context of democratic schooling in a multicultural, global age.
Sohyun An
Sohyun An Professor

Position:
Professor

Phone: (470) 578-6718
Email: san2@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3121

I am a Professor of Social Studies Education. My teaching and research center on anti-racist social studies, critical war studies, and Asian American studies. I have contributed to Smithsonian and PBS curriculum projects regarding teaching Asian American history and have my research cited in several media outlets, including CNN, Time, New York Times, Reuters, Vox, and USA Today. I am a former high school social studies teacher in South Korea.
Anna Arias
Anna Arias Associate Professor of Elementary Science Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Elementary Science Education

Phone: (470) 578-5257
Email: aarias5@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3102

My research and teaching focus on supporting learning to teach elementary science. I consider the roles of curriculum materials, professional development, and teacher education in facilitating learning to engage students in science practices (e.g., investigation, argumentation) to make sense of science ideas and concepts.
Douglas Bell
Douglas Bell Professor of Early Childhood Education

Position:
Professor of Early Childhood Education

Phone: (470) 578-2267
Email: dbell22@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3019A

My research and teaching focus on best practices working with young children. I have a strong emphasis on early care administration, infant/toddler quality, young dual language learners, early literacy, challenging behaviors, and supporting social emotional development in the classroom.
Debra Coffey
Debra Coffey Associate Professor

Position:
Associate Professor

Phone: (470) 578-3387
Email: dcoffey1@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3021

Dr. Debra Coffey is an associate professor who enjoys teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State University. Her chapters, articles, manuals, and seven textbooks resulted from extensive professional collaboration, and they highlight innovations with digital literacy, multicultural literature, and research-based strategies for literacy development. She provided professional development for teachers in Belize, Costa Rica, and Ecuador and shared her experiences in teaching students from preschool to the university level.

Dr. Coffey, recipient of the 2018 ALER A.B. Herr Award honoring outstanding contributions to literacy education, has established national collaborative networks as Chair of the Clinical Division, Chair of the College and Adult Literacy Division, and Co-Chair of the Historian Committee of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers. She has orchestrated local, national, and international literacy projects as the KSU Phi Kappa Phi President, the State Field Council Representative for the Literacy Research Association, Regional Initiatives Director and Board of Trustees member for the International Alliance for Invitational Education, and advisor of the KSU chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Dr. Debra Coffey serves the profession internationally as President of the CARE Special Interest Group of the International Literacy Association.
Susan Collins
Susan Collins Senior Lecturer of Elementary Education

Position:
Senior Lecturer of Elementary Education

Phone: (470) 578-6121
Email: scolli48@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3106
Roberta Gardner
Roberta Gardner Associate Professor of Reading and Literacy Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Reading and Literacy Education

Phone: (470) 578-4885
Email: rgardn21@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3211

Roberta Price Gardner is an assistant professor of reading and literacy education. Her research explores Black childhood literacies, African American childrens literature, social-cultural contexts of literacy, particularly emotion and racialized trauma, and the policy implications of race, place, gender, and social class on literacy and literature. She serves on the Executive Committee of the National Council Teachers of English, and Co-Director of NCTEs Professional Dyads and Culturally Relevant Teaching program. Her work has appeared in journals such as Urban Education, Childrenâs Literature in Education, The Journal of Childrens Literature, Research in The Teaching of English, and Language Arts.
Linda Grant
Linda Grant Lecturer of Birth through Kindergarten

Position:
Lecturer of Birth through Kindergarten

Phone: (470) 578-5018
Email: lgrant50@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3022

I have been a teacher educator for over 20 years, and currently teach child development and early childhood curriculum courses. I also have specialized training in infant and toddler development and curriculum, dual language learners, and professional learning communities. My research interests are feminist/womanist perspectives on early childhood education, pedagogical approaches of African American early childhood educators and the child's role in teacher education.
Paula Guerra
Paula Guerra Professor

Position:
Professor

Phone: (470) 578-7590
Email: pguerra2@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3117

Mathematics Education
Jessica Hale
Jessica Hale Lecturer of Mathematics Education

Position:
Lecturer of Mathematics Education

Phone: (470) 578-3460
Email: jhale44@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3114

I am a lecturer of Mathematics Education in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. I learn alongside our students as an instructor in our math methods and math content courses for undergraduate elementary education majors. My teaching and research focus on issues of equity in mathematics teaching and learning.
Amy Hillen
Amy Hillen Associate Professor of Mathematics Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education

Phone: (470) 578-6103
Email: ahillen@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3103

I work with prospective elementary school teachers, teaching specialized mathematics content courses for KSUâs undergraduate elementary education majors. My research interests are in how mathematical tasks support teacher and student learning, particularly in the contexts of whole numbers, rational numbers, and algebraic thinking. I also do research in helping teachers make connections between mathematics and other content areas including literacy and art.
Lateefah Id-Deen
Lateefah Id-Deen Associate Professor of Mathematics Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education

Phone: (470) 578-7536
Email: liddeen@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3215

I teach mathematics methods courses with an emphasis on culturally relevant pedagogies for undergraduate elementary education majors and introductory education courses. My research examines vulnerable students mathematics identities and sense of belonging to enhance student-teacher relationships in mathematics classrooms. I also explore Black students perspectives on their experiences in mathematics classrooms, and ways to support educators in hearing and developing practice in relation to students expressed interests.
Virginie Jackson
Virginie Jackson Assistant Professor of Reading and Literacy Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Reading and Literacy Education

Phone: (470) 578-5016
Email: vjacks33@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3207

I teach undergraduate reading methods, reading assessments, and pre-school curriculum courses. My research focuses on early literacy and critical literacy development of young learners through digital literacy and the integration of the arts.
Raynice Jean-Sigur
Raynice Jean-Sigur Professor of Early Childhood Education

Position:
Professor of Early Childhood Education

Phone: (470) 578-4475
Email: rjeansig@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3009A

I, along with my colleagues, launched the Birth through Kindergarten (B-K) undergraduate degree program and served as program coordinator for several years. My research interests include diversity in Early Childhood Education, families and children with medical/special needs and teacher preparation /leadership for early care and learning providers.
Monique Johnson
Monique Johnson Lecturer in Birth to Kindergarten program

Position:
Lecturer in Birth to Kindergarten program

Phone: (470) 578-6123
Email: mjohn502@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3018

I am a full time lecturer in the Birth to Kindergarten program.I also teach courses as part of the Teacher Preparation Program.
Mary Keogh
Mary Keogh Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction

Position:
Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction

Phone: (470) 578-3570
Email: mkeogh2@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3104
Kristen Killian
Kristen Killian Limited Term Instructor of Elementary Literacy Education

Position:
Limited Term Instructor of Elementary Literacy Education

Phone: (470) 578-7641
Email: kkillia5@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3219
Jinhee Kim
Jinhee Kim Associate Professor

Position:
Associate Professor

Phone: (470) 578-6619
Email: jkim224@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3221

My research and teaching focus on challenging the taken-for-granted teaching practices embedded in curriculum and analysis of discourses that teachers have toward marginalized children.
Yanghee Kim
Yanghee Kim Associate Professor of Birth through K Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Birth through K Education

Phone: (470) 578-6781
Email: ykim44@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3020

Currently I teach Creative Curriculum; Family, School, and Community Collaboration; International Approaches to ECE; and Approaches to Early Learning. My main research interest focuses on the creation of school environment that maximizes the engagement of families, especially minority families. I have published my research with Childhood Education, Early Child Development and Care, Early Years, Educational Research Review, Health Care for Woman International, Journal of Educational Research, and Teaching and Teacher Education.
Ethel King-McKenzie
Ethel King-McKenzie Associate Professor

Position:
Associate Professor

Phone: (470) 578-6237
Email: ekingmck@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3115

Teach social studies methods and any other subject assigned by the chair.
Soon Lee
Soon Lee Assistant Professor of Science Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Science Education

Phone: (470) 578-2542
Email: slee263@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3110

Dr. Soon Lee holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Science Education from the Ohio State University. Dr. Lee has dedicated his research endeavors to areas such as AI-powered science classroom discourse analysis, distance-based instructional coaching methodologies, and the strategic application of educational technologies for enriching science instruction. Dr. Lee has successfully led as the principal investigator on several PD projects, specifically tailored to augment the pedagogical techniques of elementary teachers in the realm of science instruction. Notably, his work has been showcased in the Journal of Science Teacher Education, International Journal of STEM Education, Innovations in Science Teacher Education, and the Journal of College Science Teaching, to name a few.
Rasheda Likely
Rasheda Likely Assistant Professor of Science Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Science Education

Phone: (470) 578-6121
Email: rlikely@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3008

Rasheda Likely is a native of Pensacola, FL. She earned both her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Biology from the University of North Florida. Prior to her doctoral studies at Drexel University, she worked as a medical scientist for the Florida Department of Health where she performed testing during the Zika virus outbreak. While attending Drexel, she has been pivotal in the development and implementation of seven different science curricula across the Greater Philadelphia Area. Over 400 elementary and middle school students and teachers have participated in these science programs, two of which were grant funded by the US Department of Education.
Beyond learning alongside future science educators, Dr. Likely's research passions include developing and implementing decolonized science curricula and culturally sustaining assessments. Her dissertation research titled "Lotions and Potions: Exploring Black Girls' Engagement in and Perceptions of Science Practices through Hair Care" led to the development of a 70 page science workbook that culminates with a DIY video as an assessment tool. Dr. Rasheda Likely takes great delight in imagining and creating learning experiences that support the brilliance of minoritized students.
Marrielle Myers
Marrielle Myers Associate Professor

Position:
Associate Professor

Phone: (470) 578-4752
Email: mmyers22@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3119

Dr. Marrielle Myers (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She teaches math methods and content courses to prospective elementary teachers. She also teaches educational equity and diversity courses for practicing teachers. Dr. Myers engages in scholarship in three areas a) preparing and supporting teachers' development of political knowledge and critical consciousness, b) supporting Black teachersâ understanding of teaching for justice and engagement in creative insubordination at PWIs, and c) supporting teachers and teacher educators to navigate educational censorship.

Dr. Myers currently serves as the Director of Belonging for the Bagwell College of Education, Director of the early career BIPOC mentoring program for The Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE), the Program Chair for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Research Committee, a board member for the Teachers Development Group (TDG), and a fellow for The Math Learning Center (MLC). Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion frames her service work with these professional organizations.
Scott Ritchie
Scott Ritchie Professor of Language and Literacy Education, Affiliated Faculty in Gender and Women's Studies

Position:
Professor of Language and Literacy Education, Affiliated Faculty in Gender and Women's Studies

Phone: (470) 578-6958
Email: sritchie@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3123

Scott Ritchie, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Language and Literacy Education in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. A former grassroots community organizer, P-5 classroom teacher/administrator, literacy coach, Dismantling Racism trainer, and Professional Liaison for Diversity for the Bagwell College of Education, Dr. Ritchie currently teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate literacy education, educational equity and social justice, gender and women's studies, and qualitative research methods.

Dr. Ritchie's research interests include critical literacies, critical content analysis of children's picture books, gender and masculinity studies, and teacher education for social justice. His work has been published in the Journal of Teacher Education, Journal of Language and Literacy Education, Teachers College Record, and Current Issues in Comparative Education, and he serves on editorial boards including Language Arts journal and the Journal of Children's Literature. Dr. Ritchie serves on the Elementary Section Steering Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English and the board of the Center for Expansion of Language and Thinking.

Education
Graduate Certificate, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Georgia State University, 2015
Ph.D., Language and Literacy Education, University of Georgia, 2010
M.Ed., Antioch University New England, 2000
A.B., Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994
Sanjuana Rodriguez
Sanjuana Rodriguez Associate Professor

Position:
Associate Professor

Phone: (470) 578-2809
Email: srodri51@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3023

Assistant Professor of Reading and Literacy Education
Jessica Stephenson Reaves
Jessica Stephenson Reaves Assistant Professor of Science Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Science Education

Phone: (470) 578-7041
Email: jstep198@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3113

Dr. Stephenson Reaves teaches science courses for elementary education students and has experience teaching K12 science education methods courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her research interests are focused on science curriculum development and professional development for K12 teachers in environmental sciences and learning and teaching for sustainability and climate resilience. She holds a BS in Environmental Science with minors in Chemistry and Aquatic Resources from Virginia Tech, a MA in Science Education from the University of Virginia, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Science Education, from Virginia Tech. Dr. Stephenson Reaves has taught K12 Environmental Science in both public and private schools in the US, and abroad in Germany and the UAE, before joining the faculty at KSU.
Camille Sutton-Brown-Fox
Camille Sutton-Brown-Fox Associate Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Phone: (470) 578-6927
Email: csuttonb@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3108

I am an assistant professor of Educational Research. My expertise lies in qualitative inquiry, participatory action research, visual methods, transnational feminism, international development, and photovoice methodology. I have conducted research in several community-based development settings, including a multi-site photovoice study on women's empowerment in the context of microfinance in the West African nation of Mali. My current research agenda focuses on integrating democratic research processes to explore topics related to social justice.
Preethi Titu
Preethi Titu Assistant Professor of Science Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Science Education

Phone: (470) 578-6119
Email: ptitu@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3217

Preethi Titu is an Assistant professor of Science Education in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She has a background in teaching at higher education settings as well as K-12 schools and her work focuses on both pre-service and in-service teachers to meaningfully integrate STEM pedagogy into classroom practice. She earned her PhD in STEM Education from the University of Minnesota. Her doctoral dissertation focused on "Understanding Teacher Professional Identity Development", where she explored Secondary Science Teacher beliefs and practices through reflective practice. Her research interests have focused broadly on issues of understanding (i) how teachers' beliefs impact their classroom practice, (ii) teachers' conception of STEM and (iii) teachers' attitudes toward culturally diverse students. She is also passionate about working on preparing culturally responsive science and math educators. She is currently involved in an IES grant project aimed at supporting reform based instruction of AP Chemistry teachersâ
Shannon Tovey
Shannon Tovey Associate Professor of Reading and Literacy Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Reading and Literacy Education

Phone: (470) 578-3215
Email: showrey@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3105

I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy methods and coordinate the graduate reading endorsement program. My research interests are in how children's literature impacts both teacher educators and children, particularly in terms of intercultural understandings and resilience skills, respectively. I also do research in helping to teachers to use technology for reading more effectively.
Ike Ukeje
Ike Ukeje Professor of Education

Position:
Professor of Education

Phone: (470) 578-3640
Email: iukeje@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3125

Professor of Elementary Childhood Education, Former, Assistant to the Vice President of Research, Former Chair, Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Jennifer Ward
Jennifer Ward Associate Professor of Elementary Mathematics Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Elementary Mathematics Education

Phone: (470) 578-7875
Email: jward105@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3213

I am an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. My research focuses on teaching mathematics to young children (Birth through Grade 3) through a social justice lens. I also focus on working with pre-service and in-service teachers to teach mathematics in early childhood settings.
Mark Warner
Mark Warner Professor of Elementary Education

Position:
Professor of Elementary Education

Phone: (470) 578-6118
Email: mwarner8@kennesaw.edu
Location: KH 3107

Dr. Mark Warner has taught social studies, curriculum and assessment, research methodology, and technology integration courses at the university level for 25 years. His primary research interest is integrating problem based learning and technology into the 21st century classroom. Prior to his work in higher education, Dr. Warner was a school principal and taught grades 5-8 math, social studies, and language arts for 15 years.