Ed.D. Students, Alumni, and Faculty Presenting at Research Conference

Seventeen University of Findlay Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) Program students, alumni, and faculty will present at the 2019 Mid-Western Educational Research Association (MWERA) Annual Meeting. UF will be one of the most well-represented schools at the conference. Work completed at Findlay will be seen throughout the conference in the form of peer-reviewed paper discussions, presentations, and panel discussions. The conference takes place Oct. 16-18 at the Kingsgate Conference Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The University’s College of Education doctoral program prepares students to be practitioners, scholars, and leaders. “Research has demonstrated that attending professional conferences and interacting with other education researchers helps develop students’ identity as scholars, enhances their research skills, and boosts their self-confidence,” said John C. Gillham, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the Doctorate Program. “This is an important step in transitioning from student to scholarly-practitioner.  Our students who’ve attended past meetings have enjoyed the opportunity to network with educational researchers from across the region, learned about the latest developments in the field, and gained valuable professional experience!”

The program also provides students with opportunities to showcase their work and become known within the field of education. “The Ed.D. program leaders and professors prepared and supported me to not only write my dissertation, but also to disseminate my research at an academic conference,” said Jonathan D. Woodward, a student who is presenting his ongoing research. “The MWERA conference is an experience students can add to their curriculum vitae and a fantastic networking opportunity. It is opportunities like this that set the University of Findlay apart.”

Several faculty and alumni have taken leadership roles to support the conference. Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the Doctorate Program John Gillham, Ed.D., is on the Association Council for MWERA and is the Division J Postsecondary Education chair while Krontayia Moss Ed.D. ’18 is the Division G Social Context of Education chair. Associate Professor Nicole Williams, Ph.D., is MWERA vice president and the 2019 Annual Meeting Program Chair. She was responsible for coordinating this conference and will move into the role of president next year.

Findlay Presentations

Thursday, October 17

Jason Frank Robinson, Ed.D. ’19
9:20 – 10:30 a.m., Amphitheater I
Differentiation: Do Teachers and Teacher Evaluators Share a Common Definition?

Tiffany Toot, Ed.D. ’19
9:20 – 10:30 a.m., Mt. Washington Room
The Impact of Montessori Preschool on Students’ Phonemic Awareness and Reading Readiness Skills

Jon Brasfield, Ph.D., assistant professor; John Christian Gillham, Ed.D., chair of the Doctorate of Education Program; Nicole Williams, Ph.D., associate professor; Kristie Fetty, Ed.D. student
10:40 – 11:50 a.m., Amphitheater II
The Impact of Teacher Evaluation on Collaboration

Suweeyah Salih, Ed.D. student
10:40 – 11:50 a.m., Mt. Washington Room
African American Vernacular English and the Achievement Gap: Teacher Perception Impacts Student Motivation

Brendon Moody, Ed.D. ’19
1:40 – 2:50 p.m., Amphitheater II
Teacher Candidate Training and the USE of TPACK

Kerry Volansky, Ed.D. student
4:20 – 5:30 p.m., Mt. Lookout Room
What are the Best Practices Used to Teach “Hands-On” Skills in a Blended Environment?

Friday, October 18

Jonathan David Woodward, Ed.D. student
12:40 – 1:50 p.m., Mt. Storm Room
Spiritual Formation in Christian Higher Education

Derek Christman Friess, Ed.D. student
2:00 – 3:10 p.m., Amphitheater I
Completing the Circle of Trust: Do Teachers Feel Trusted by Administrators?

Patricia Jane Santanello, Ed.D. student
2:00 – 3:10 p.m., Mt. Adams Room
The Experiences of Parents and Caregivers at a Sensory Friendly Theatre Performance

Jon Brasfield, Ph.D. assistant professor; Jamie Biecheler, Ed.D. ’19; Amanda Gensler, Ed.D. student; Michele Prater, Ed.D. student; Christine Weber, Ed.D. student
3:20 – 4:30 p.m., Mt. Washington Room
Examining the Experiences of Participants in a Short Study-Abroad Program for Ed.D. Students