Faculty Specialties and Research Interests
Faculty Specialties and Research Interests
| Dr. Julie Bacak bacakj@uncw.edu 910.962.4171 |
Practice-based teacher education, mathematical discourse, elementary mathematics, cross-curricular instruction. |
| Dr. Sarah Bonner bonners@uncw.edu 910.962.2648 |
Middle grades education, teacher education, English/Language Arts methods and adolescent literacy - specific research interests include teacher transformation, inquiry-based practices, design-based research, and social justice pedagogies. |
| Dr. Patti Brooks brooksp@uncw.edu 910.962.4171 |
Dr. Patti Brooks’ research explores critical literacy, social studies pedagogy, culturally responsive teaching, antiracism, and critical service-learning. She is particularly interested in how these approaches empower students to question dominant narratives, engage with diverse perspectives, and connect classroom learning to issues of equity, community, and civic responsibility. |
| Dr. Jes Cardenas cardenasj@uncw.edu 910.962.2919 |
Social-emotional development in early childhood including well-being and mental health of children, teachers, caregivers, and families; children's media engagement (i.e. screen time, children's television), and the impact of social support among salient adults in children's lives. |
| Dr. Alex Chambers chambersa@uncw.edu 910.962.0614 |
Universal Design for Learning; Assessment; Learning disabilities; Evidence-based interventions; Culturally and linguistically diverse exceptional learners. |
| Dr. Elizabeth Crawford crawforde@uncw.edu 910.962.3366 |
Instructional design and learner-centered pedagogies, including design thinking, human-centered design, and inquiry-based learning; interdisciplinary research to inform policy-making, including those related to education quality, workforce development, and learning recovery; global education with emphasis on environmental sustainability; social studies education that cultivates empathy, agency, and democratic participation. |
| Ms. Maggie Guggenheimer guggenheimerm@uncw.edu 910.962.2416 |
Math professional development; Math teaching strategies; Using technology to teach about math; Generational learners; Integrating art into mathematics |
| Dr. Heidi Higgins higginsh@uncw.edu 910.962.2199 |
Mathematics Education in Elementary and Early Childhood Education; Quantitative Literacy; Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice; and Intellectual Development |
| Dr. Jeremy Hilburn hilburnj@uncw.edu 910.962.2897 |
Immigration and social studies; global education, especially teaching migration and conflict via media and experiential learning. |
| Dr. Martin Kozloff kozloffm@uncw.edu 910.962.7286 |
A series of books (How to Teach Your Child with learning and Behavior Challenges) summarizes and extends 50 years of work in the field of autism and other developmental disabilities; it provides curriculum and instructional methods for families and teachers. |
| Dr. Megan Kybartas kybartasm@uncw.edu 910.962.4171 |
Early Childhood Education, Care, and Development; Risky Play; Childcare Program Philosophies and Leadership; Cultural Perspectives on Child Development; Caregiving and Parenting, Systems-Based Approaches to Care and Education. |
| Dr. Lou Lanunziata lanunziatal@uncw.edu 910.962.3368 |
Learning and Behavioral Disorders (BEH/LD/MR); Emotional Disturbance; Applied Behavioral Analysis; Social Learning Theory; Behavior Management; Behavior Measurement; BEH Programming |
| Dr. Christine Liao liaoc@uncw.edu 910.962.3556 |
Identity, Embodiment, and Gender and Technology; New Media Art and Pedagogy/Curriculum; Technology in Art Education/STEAM; Research Methodologies- Arts-Based Research/Narrative Inquiry/Autoethnography |
| Dr. Julia Lynch lynchj@uncw.edu 910.962.4171 |
Art-informed curriculum, art-inquiry, and culturally sustaining literacy practices that foster critical literacy and affirm the diverse identities of teachers and students. Grounded in the contexts of rural education, my work examines how educators’ identities and practices shape equitable, community-driven approaches to teaching and learning. |
| Dr. Meredith Moates moatesm@uncw.edu 910.962.3366 |
Transition planning, academic support, and the development of self-determination skills for students with autism spectrum disorder in both community college and university settings. |
| Dr. Amelia Moody moodya@uncw.edu 910.962.2580 |
Early Childhood and Special Education, STEM, and Technology and Disability. |
| Dr. Shelby Morge morges@uncw.edu 910.962.4501 |
Mathematics Education - specifically mathematics-related beliefs and their influences on teaching and learning; mathematics teacher education and professional development; and the integration of computer science and mathematics education. |
| Dr. Michael Morrow morrowm@uncw.edu 910.962.4171 |
Improving post-secondary transitional opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD); Technology-based and extended reality interventions; Improving access to research and innovation for special educators; Sense of community belonging for individuals with I/DD; Improving health and wellness outcome for individuals with I/DD. |
| Dr. Sara Movahedazarhouligh movahedazarhoulighs@uncw.edu 910.962.0613 |
How early childhood practices can foster sustainable systems that support young children and their families, with particular emphasis on family-centered service delivery and evidence-based interventions that promote positive outcomes. Dedicated to fostering international collaborations that benefit underserved populations, with emerging work focused on system building and capacity development to support children and families from conflict-affected areas, under-resourced communities, and other vulnerable populations. |
| Ms. Andrea Perrone perrone@uncw.edu 910.962.3921 |
Arts integration; Culturally Responsive and culturally sustaining teaching and the arts; Universal Design for Learning and the arts; Multimodal literacy; Interdisciplinary learning |
| Dr. Sharon Richter richtersm@uncw.edu 910.962.3366 |
Improving socially important outcomes among learners with intellectual disabilities; Interventions that improve community inclusion and navigation among young adults with intellectual disabilities |
| Dr. Kathleen Roney roneyk@uncw.edu 910.962.7195 |
Middle School Reform: Characteristics of Effective Teaching; Strategies and Relationships in Effective Teaching; Teacher Education; Culturally Relevant Teaching and Critical Pedagogy; Educational Research: Qualitative Design-Action Research; Case Study Methodology; Professional Preparation Programs for School Administrators; Leadership for Social Justice and Equity; Theory and Practice in Educational Administration |
| Dr. Caitlin Ryan ryanc@uncw.edu |
Elementary reading instruction and curriculum design; the role of children’s literature in supporting reading instruction and engagement; supporting students from diverse families; LGBTQ-inclusive teaching; countering heteronormativity and heterosexism in education. |
| Dr. Crystalyn Schnorr-Goodnight schnorrc@uncw.edu 910.962.2658 |
Instructional Coaching; Instructional Strategies for Students At Risk or with Disabilities; Beginning Reading Instruction; Direct Instruction; Response to Intervention |
| Dr. Amy Senta sentaa@uncw.edu 910.962.2851 |
Social Foundations of Education, Qualitative Research Methodologies, Participatory Classroom Research, Elementary Education, Teacher Education for Diversity and Equity |
| Dr. Lynn Sikma sikmal@uncw.edu 910.962.7287 |
Teacher Education; Elementary Education; STEM; Social Networks; Organizational Culture; Novice Teacher Needs; Distributed Leadership; Teacher well-being and resilience |
| Dr. James Stocker stockerj@uncw.edu 910.962.2739 |
Mathematics, STEM, Applied Behavior Analysis, Inclusion, Tiered Systems of Support, Mathematics, STEM, Applied Behavior Analysis, Precision Teaching, Inclusion, Tiered Systems of Support. |
| Dr. Laura Szech szechl@uncw.edu 910.962.3651 |
School-family partnerships; Culturally sustaining pedagogies; Strength-based pedagogies; Funds of knowledge; Teacher book clubs; Family and community visits; Critical literacy pedagogies |
| Dr. Amy Taylor taylorar@uncw.edu 910.962.2673 |
Professional development for science teachers (K-12) about: Teaching science through inquiry, teaching science at the extreme scales, outdoor education, and teaching with technology. |
| Dr. Cara Ward wardcf@uncw.edu 910.962.2194 |
Inquiry-Based Social Studies Methods to Teach Historical Thinking Skills; Teaching Local History in the Context of National Movements; Effective Practices for Teaching the 1898 Coup and the Wilmington Ten
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| Dr. Martin Wasserberg wasserbergm@uncw.edu 910.962.2917 |
Elementary Student Voice, Stereotype Threat, Urban Education, Elementary Teacher Education. |
| Dr. Randall Wells wellsrs@uncw.edu 910.962.3487 |
Creating early childhood systems and programs that work well for teachers, families, and children ages birth to five. |