Faculty and Staff
* = Program Director
Educational
Studies

Title: Associate Professor
Program: Special/Combined Education
Email: sturmel@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5624
Educational Background:
2015 Ed.D. Lewis University
2005 M.A. Lewis University
2003 B.A. National Louis University
Courses Taught :
Development and Characteristics of Unique Learners
Approaches and Applications for the Multicultural Classroom
Special Education Clinical Experience II
Special Education Clinical Experience III
Instructional Strategies and Learning Comm. for Social Studies P-12
Research Interests:
Social Studies and Diverse Learners
Social Justice and Equity in Schools
Early Childhood Special Education

Title: Associate Professor/Program Director
Program: Early Childhood Special Education
Email: pruittre@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5626
Educational Background:
Ph.D. Oklahoma State University
M.S. Oklahoma State University
B.A. Oklahoma Baptist University
Courses Taught:
Child Development
Child, Family, Culture and Community
Physical Development and Creative Expressions
Liability, Ethics and Advocacy in Early Education
Foundations of Early Childhood Education
Introduction to Psychology
Applied Psychology
Research Interests:
Constructivist approaches in higher education
Epistemological development in adult women
Developmental benefits of interaction with nature
Novice teachers and developmentally appropriate practice

Title: Associate Professor
Program: Early Childhood Special Education
Email: jreyes5@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5014
Educational Background:
2008 Ed.D., Educational Organization, University of Illinois
1996 M.Ed., Educational Psychology, Loyola University
1992 B.A., Psychology and Spanish, St. Louis University

Title: Visiting Assistant Professor
Program: Early Childhood
Email: etertell@lewisu.edu
Educational Background:
1993 Post Graduate Certification, Pacific Oaks College, Portland, OR
1985 M.Ed., University of Illinois: Chicago Circle
1981 B.S., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Elementary Education

Title: Assistant Professor/Program Director
Program: Elementary Education
Email: obrienan@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5241
Educational Background:
1996 MS University of St. Francis
1990 BA University of St. Francis
Courses Taught:
- Methods of Teaching Mathematics K-9 Undergraduate Level
- Differentiated Instruction Undergraduate Level
- Instructional Methods K-9 with Field Experience Undergraduate Level
- Child and Adolescent Literature and the Fine Arts Undergraduate Level
- Methods of Teaching Language Arts K-3 Undergraduate Level
- Instructional Strategies and Learning Communities for Mathematics in Special Education P-12 Undergraduate Level
- Instructional Methods K-9 with Elementary Field Experiences Undergraduate Level
- Classroom Management with Elementary Field Experience Undergraduate Level
- Elementary/Middle School Student Teaching Graduate Level
- Methods of Teaching Mathematics K-9 Graduate Level
- Instructional Strategies and Learning Communities for Mathematics in Special Education P-12 Graduate Level
- Endorsement Certification Mathematics 6-9 Graduate Level
Research Interests:
- Early Childhood
- Singapore Math
- Brain Based Learning

Title: Assistant Professor
Email: hlee6@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 834-5139
Educational Background:
Ph.D., Educational Studies, Purdue University
M.A., Gifted Education, Columbia University
B.A., Elementary Education, Seoul National University of Education

Title: Assistant Professor
Program: Elementary Education
Email: mwilkins1@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5258
Educational Background:
2016 Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Lewis University
2009 M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University
2007 B.S., Elementary Education, University of Illinois
Secondary/Middle Level/Foreign Language

Title: Professor/Accreditation and Regulatory Coordinator
Department: Educational Studies
Email: huvaerdo@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5885
Educational Background:
1997 Ph.D. Loyola University
1989 M.A. Northeastern Illinois University
1981 B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
Courses Taught:
Educational Psychology
Instructional Strategies and Learning Communities for Adolescents
Secondary Education Student Teaching
Research Interests:
Improving Teacher Quality

Title: Associate Professor
Program: Secondary/Middle School/Foreign Language
Email: kwiatker@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5984
Educational Background:
2013 PhD, Mathematics Education, Illinois Institute of Technology
1997 M.Ed., Mathematics Education, University of Missouri-Columbia
1994 B.A., Mathematics & Psychology, Lewis University
Courses Taught:
Methods of Teaching Mathematics
Elementary Field Experience
Classroom Assessment and Intervention
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers
Research Interests:
Improving Clinical and Field Experiences for Prospective Elementary Teachers
Mathematical Knowledge of Prospective Elementary Teachers
Preparing Elementary Education Candidates for the edTPA
Workshops, Conference Presentations, Lectures, Events:
Kwiatkowski-Egizio, E. (2014). Preparing Elementary Candidates for edTPA: Documenting Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching in a Coordinated Math Methods Course and Field Experience. 2014 American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education 66th Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.
Kwiatkowski-Egizio, E. (2014). Developing Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching: Documenting Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Experiences. 2014 Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
Kwiatkowski-Egizio, E. (2013). Preparing Elementary Teacher Candidates for the edTPA prior to Student Teaching: Documenting Experiences in a Math Methods Course. 2013 EdTPA National Implementation Conference, San Diego, CA.
Kwiatkowski-Egizio, E. (2013). Developing Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching: Documenting Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Experiences. Lecture given at Lewis University, sponsored by the Lewis University Diversity Committee.
Kwiatkowski-Egizio, E. (2013). Let’s Take a Tour of the Common Core Math Standards. Professional Development Workshop, St. Norbert School, Northbrook, IL.
Kwiatkowski-Egizio, E. (2013). Family Curriculum Night. Event conducted at Lewis University.
Kwiatkowski-Egizio, E. (2012). Family Curriculum Night. Event conducted at Lewis University.

Title: Associate Professo/Program Chair
Program: Secondary/Middle School/Foreign Language
Email: palmich@lewisu.edu
Phone: 815-836-5963
Educational Background:
2009 Ed. D. Curriculum and Social Inquiry, National-Louis University
2003 C.A.S. Administration and Supervision, National-Louis University
1994 M. Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, National-Louis University
1991 B.A. Education and English, National-Louis University
Courses Taught:
History and Philosophy of Education
Pedagogy and Assessment for Effective 6-12 Instruction
Student Teacher Supervision
Research Interest:
Critical Pedagogy
Social Justice and Responsibility
Multicultural Education
Special/Combined Education

Title: Associate Professor
Program: Special/Combined Education
Email: bussje@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5627
Educational Background:
2015 Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago
2000 Masters Administration Type 75 Aurora University
1996 B.A. Illinois State University Special Education
1993 Joliet Junior College
15 additional Graduate hours completed
Courses Taught:
Foundations Teaching Learning
Instructional Strategies for the Exceptional Learner in the Community
Student Teachers Supervisor
Clinical Instructor
Research Interests:
Inclusion
Autism

Title: Associate Professor/Program Director
Program: Special/Combined Education
Email: fishermm@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5651
Educational Background:
1996 Ph.D. University of Virginia
1977 M.S. University of Illinois
1973 B.A. Saint Mary’s College
Courses Taught :
Assessment for Learning
Instructional Strategies and Learning Communities for Teaching Reading and the Integrated Language Arts, P-3
Special Education Field Experience
Exceptional Learners in Inclusive Communities

Title: Professor
Program: Special/Combined Education
Email: robertch@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5317
Educational Background:
1998 Ph.D. Texas A&M University
1991 M.Ed. Sam Houston State Univeristy
1987 B.A. Stephen F. Austin University
Courses Taught:
Instructional Planning and Performance Based Assessments
Foundations of Teaching and Learning
Research Interests:
Teachers as Leaders
Intergrated Teacher Preparation Programs
Adult Lives of People with Disabilities

Title: Associate Professor
Program: Special/Combined Education
Email: sturmel@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5624
Educational Background:
2015 Ed.D. Lewis University
2005 M.A. Lewis University
2003 B.A. National Louis University
Courses Taught :
Development and Characteristics of Unique Learners
Approaches and Applications for the Multicultural Classroom
Special Education Clinical Experience II
Special Education Clinical Experience III
Instructional Strategies and Learning Comm. for Social Studies P-12
Research Interests:
Social Studies and Diverse Learners
Social Justice and Equity in Schools
FOUNDATIONS, LEADERSHIP & LITERACY

Title: Professor
Program: Literacy
Email: augsbude@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5883
Educational Background:
2001 Ed.D. Northern Illinois University
1996 M.Ed. Northern Illinois University
1986 B.A. Wheaton College
Courses Taught:
Child and Adolescent Literature
Clinical Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Problems
Foundations and Methods of Teaching Reading P-3
Methods and Strategies for Reading Comprehension Instruction
Practicum for the Reading Specialist
Technology in the Reading and Writing Program
Practical Research for Learning Communities
Research Interests:
Storytelling
Diversity Literature
Reading Teacher Education
Children's Engagement with Poetry
Educational Leadership

Title: Professor
Program: Foundations, Leadership & Literacy
Email: davilaer@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5103
Educational Background:
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Ph.D., Educational Policy Studies, June 2005
Dissertation: Educational Policies in Lived Context: Puerto Ricans Schooled in Chicago
Adviser: Yoon K. Pak
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Masters of Education, August 2001
Major: Educational Policy Studies
NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Chicago, IL
Bachelors of Art, May 1999
Majors: Elementary Education, Sociology
Endorsements: Middle School, Language Arts, and Social Sciences Certification: Illinois Type 03 (K-9)
Courses Taught:
Policy Studies in Education
Critical Pedagogy and Assessment
Critical Perspectives in School Law
Theories of Cultural Difference in Education
Research Interests:
Critical Race Theory in Education, Latinx Studies, Critical Studies in Mathematics

Title: Associate Professor
Program: Educational Leadership
Email: wrightve@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5662
Educational Background:
2002 Ed.D. Loyola University, Chicago
1997 M.Ed. Loyola University, Chicago
1995 B.S. Loyola University, Chicago
Courses Taught:
Principalship
Curriculum Planning and Program Improvement
Educational Organization and Administration
Practicum in Administration
Research Interests:
Neuroscience
Effective Schools
School Leadership
Literacy

Title: Professor
Program: Literacy
Email: augsbude@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5883
Educational Background:
2001 Ed.D. Northern Illinois University
1996 M.Ed. Northern Illinois University
1986 B.A. Wheaton College
Courses Taught:
Child and Adolescent Literature
Clinical Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Problems
Foundations and Methods of Teaching Reading P-3
Methods and Strategies for Reading Comprehension Instruction
Practicum for the Reading Specialist
Technology in the Reading and Writing Program
Practical Research for Learning Communities
Research Interests:
Storytelling
Diversity Literature
Reading Teacher Education
Children's Engagement with Poetry

Title: Professor/Program Chair
Program: Literacy
Email: kimju@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5099
Educational Background:
2010: Ph.D., University of Illinois-Chicago
2004: M.Ed., University of Illinois-Chicago
2000: B.A., University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
Courses Taught:
Children's and Adolescent Literature
Academic Reading Skills
Practical Research for Learning Communities Foundations and Methods of Teaching Reading 4-12
Research Interests:
Critical pedagogy
Popular culture and the curriculum
Issues of equity and social justice
Critical Race Theory
Multiliteracies

Title: Professor
Program: Literacy-Instructional Technology
E-mail: kimse@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5042
Educational Background:
1997 Ed.D. University of Houston
1994 M.Ed. University of Houston
1983 B.S. Sungkyunkwan University
Courses Taught:
Technology for Teaching and Learning
Integrating Technology for Teaching and Learning I & II
Web Design and Development
Online Virtual Learning
Seminar in Instructional Technology
Research Interests:
Constructivist Approaches in Technology Integration
Online/Web-based Learning Environment
Multimedia Design and Development
Design and Development of School/Classroom Web Sites
Teacher Preparation with Technology
Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation of Technology-based Instruction

Title: Assistant Professor
E-mail: jmaravillacano@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 834-6107
Educational Background:
2020 Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago
2012 M.Ed. University of Illinois at Chicago
2007 B.A. University of Illinois at Chicago
Staff

Title: Administrative Assistant, Educational Leadership/Literacy
E-mail: McConole@lewisu.edu
Phone: (815) 836-5121/5316
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