Faculty
Courses in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction are taught by full-time faculty, most of whom have doctorates or terminal degrees in their field. Our faculty have taught in a variety of public and private school settings and have been recognized for their teaching excellence and the use of technology in teaching. Faculty are actively involved in a variety of professional organization, provide continuing education workshops for teachers, and publish books and articles in state, national, and international journals.
The faculty are committed to helping students develop into skilled, competent, and creative teachers. The individual assistance that professors provide ensures this goal is achieved. Students are encouraged to communicate frequently with their professors through office visits, email, and phone calls.
Margo Ayala, Ph.D.
MJ-Byerly@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 74
309-298-1167
Dr. Byerly earned her Ph.D. from Indiana State University in elementary education. Her specialization is social studies. She is active in National Council for the Social Studies and has presented at the state, regional, and national levels. Her areas of interest include history, Native American history, and performance-based assessment.
Kathy H. Barclay, Ed.D.
KH-Barclay@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 56
309-298-2676
Dr. Barclay has her Ed.D degree with a major in Reading and minor in Learning Disabilities from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA. Her areas of specialization are emergent literacy, reading, language arts, parent/community involvement and early childhood education. Active in her profession, Dr. Barclay is a frequent presenter at state, national and international education conferences and has served as an Editorial Advisor for the Reading Teacher, the foremost publication in the field of elementary reading. She is editor of the Illinois Reading Journal and a former member of the Publications Committee for the International Reading Association. During her tenure at WIU, Dr. Barclay has authored over seventy professional publications, including three textbooks.
Cecelia Benelli, Ph.D.
C-Benelli@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 22C
309-298-1118
Dr. Benelli earned her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. She serves as Faculty Director of the WIU Infant and Preschool Center, which is administered under the direction of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Benelli specializes in early childhood education and teaches courses in assessment, child development and curriculum. Her professional activities include frequent conference presentations and workshops and publications in national and state journals.
Laurel Borgia, Ph.D.
LG-Borgia@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 22D
309-298-2101
Dr. Borgia earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Champaign. Her specialization is elementary education, and she currently teaches graduate and undergraduates reading courses and supervises the pre-student teaching experience. She has presented nationally. She is on the Board of Directors of WIRC.
Pamela S. Campbell, M.S.Ed.
PS-Campbell@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall Rm. 48B
309-298-1849
Ms. Campbell earned her Master's degree from WIU. Her specialization is elementary education. She currently teaches elementary education and reading courses in the department. Ms. Campbell is affiliated with several professional organizations. She has national publications and has presented locally.
Marie Cheak, Ph.D.
MJ-Cheak1@wiu.edu
Quad Cities 282
309-762-5344
Dr. Cheak earned her Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She specializes in reading and language studies and environmental education. She currently teaches reading courses in the department. Dr. Cheak has an active research focus in the area of literacy, the integrated curriculum and critical thinking. She has worked as a consultant with local school districts in the evaluation of existing reading programs and has conducted many workshops on the engagement of students in critical thinking through the integration of literacy throughout the curriculum. Her publications focus on her research on the influence of various curricula on critical thinking and literacy skills.
Cindy Dooley, Ph.D.
CJ-Dooley@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 69
309-298-1961
Dr. Dooley is the Department Chair. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Her areas of specialization are teacher education, literacy, and gifted education. She teaches courses in literacy at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Her research interests include teacher education and improving instruction in the elementary classroom. Dr. Dooley serves as a member of NCATE/ISBE teams conducting accreditation visits.
Angela Ferree, Ph.D.
AM-Ferree@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 49
309-298-1125
Dr. Ferree is the Chair of the Department Graduate Committee. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin. Her areas of specialization are literacy and literature instruction for children and young adults. She currently teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in the department. Dr. Ferree serves as president-elect of the Teacher Education strand of the College Reading Association. She currently heads the column “Logging on with Literature” in the Illinois Reading Council Journal.
Pamela Terry Godt, Ph.D.
PT-Godt@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 50
309-298-1782
Dr. Godt graduated with honors from Stanford University and then earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Her doctoral dissertation was awarded the "Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award" from the International Reading Association. She currently teaches graduate and undergraduate reading courses. Dr. Godt serves as faculty advisor (Chapter Counselor) for the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, is the past President of the College Instructors of Reading Professionals (CIRP), and is a consultant to numerous schools and school systems. During her years of service, she has directed over twenty major research grants at both the federal and state levels and presents frequently at state, national and international conferences. She currently writes the “Leadership in Education” column for the Illinois Reading Council Journal.
Diana L. Goff, M.S.Ed.
DL-Goff@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 48A
309-298-1649
Ms. Diana Goff is an Assistant Professor in Curriculum and Instruction. She received her B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education, her M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood from WIU, and her Reading Specialist certification from the University of Illinois.. She is teaches entry-level courses, as well as elementary and early childhood education upper level field experience courses. Ms. Goff has presented at international, national, and state educational conferences and has published in both state and national journals. She has over 30 years experience teaching in K-2 and Reading Recovery classrooms.
Barbara Hendricks,
BB-Hendricks@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 65
309-298-1748
Ms. Hendricks received her B.A.in Elementary Education with a minor in Art from DePauw University, and her M.Ed. in Reading from Duke University. She teaches literacy courses as well as supervising students in the pre-service field experiences. Ms. Hendricks has taught over fifteen years in the elementary and middle school classroom. She has also led workshops about integrating Art into the elementary curriculum.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Hommel, M.S.Ed.
E-Hommel@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 48C
309-298-2171
Ms. Hommel earned her Masters from WIU. Her areas of specialization are language arts, reading, literature, social studies and middle level education. She currently teaches courses in Elementary Education, Reading and children's literature in the department and serves as the director of the Children's Literature Examination Center. She previously served as an Educational Consultant for the Regional Office of Education and has over 15 years experience in teaching in the intermediate grades.
Deborah Horack, M.S.Ed.
DA-Horack@wiu.edu
WIU-QC, Rm. 218
309-762-5344
Ms. Horack earned her M.S. in Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. She specializes in reading and language. She currently teaches literacy courses in the department and coordinates/supervises the pre-service teaching field experience for students at the Quad Cities Center.
Frederick Isele, Ed.D.
FC-Isele@wiu.edu
WIU-QC, Rm. 252
309-762-5344
Dr. Isele earned his Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University. He teaches courses in Social Studies Education in the department. He is very active at state and national levels in the National Council for Social Studies and has presented at both levels.
H. Jon Jones, Ph.D.
HJ-Jones1@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 46A
309-298-1750
Dr. Jones earned his Ph.D. in Reading from Ball State University. His area of specialization is reading and literacy. He currently teaches reading and literacy courses for the department and serves as Director of WIU Reading Center. Dr. Jones works with a staff of graduate assistants to provide diagnostic and tutoring services to university and public school students. He is Director of the America Reads Challenge activities for WIU. He served as a consultant for an Indiana statewide reading and reading assessment program.
Debbie Lee, Ed.D.
DM-Lee3@wiu.edu
WIU-QC
309-762-5344
Dr. Lee has her Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education with a cognate in Special Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her areas of specialization are parent involvement, early childhood curriculum, and serving young children with special needs. Dr. Lee has presented at local, state, regional, and national conferences. She has held offices on the local and state level of the National Association for the Education of Young. She comes to Western Illinois University with a wealth of classroom experience and college level teaching.
LaVerne Logan, Ph.D.
LK-Logan@wiu.edu
WIU-QC, Rm. 284
309-762-5344
Dr. Logan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. His area of specialization is Science and Middle Level Education. He currently serves as associate professor and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Science and Middle Level Education in the Quad Cities Center.
Robert H. Lombard, Ed.D.
R-Lombard@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 54
309-298-1785
Dr. Bob Lombard teaches social studies methods courses and graduate curriculum courses at Western Illinois University. He has been active in leadership and committee assignments with the National Council for the Social Studies and the Illinois Council for the Social Studies. Prior to joining the WIU faculty in 1990, Dr. Lombard was active with the Indiana Council for the Social Studies; he previously taught at Kent State University and I.U.P.U.I. before moving to W.I.U. He is a graduate of: Purdue University; Butler University; Indiana University; the U.S. Army Infantry School; the U.S. Army Armor School and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Dr. Lombard retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Susan L. Massey, M.Ed.
SL-Massey2@wiu.edu
WIU-QC, Rm. 286B
309-762-3999 ext. 269
Ms. Massey earned her M.Ed. in Reading and Language Arts from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and is a Ph.D. candidate in Reading Education at the University of Virginia. She teaches reading and literacy courses at the graduate and undergraduate level. Her areas of interest are early literacy, diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties, and professional development for professional educators. She has presented at the local and national levels.
Philip R. Murphy, M.S.Ed.
PR-Murphy@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 42A
309-298-2359
Mr. Philip Murphy received his M.S.Ed. in counseling from Eastern Illinois University and his Education Specialist degree from WIU. He has served as a school psychologist, assistant principal, and gifted director for Canton schools. While principal of Canton School District, he introduced the middle level concept for grades 5-8. He is an instructor of middle level education courses at WIU.
Donald T. Powers, Ph.D.
DT-Powers@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 61
309-298-1258
Dr. Powers has a B.A. in Science Teaching (1971), a M.A. in Science Education (1984) from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (1989) with a Science Education emphasis from Kansas State University. He teaches Elementary Science Methods courses as well as introductory education courses. His focus on science is in the area of physical, earth, and environmental sciences. Dr. Powers and the WIU Science Education faculty regularly conduct undergraduate environmental workshops in Project WILD, Project Learning Tree and Project WET and recently added an astronomy workshop utilizing the STARLAB Portable Planetarium System to the schedule of workshops. He presents at national, state, and local conferences; presents numerous in-service teacher workshops; co-authored various books on the teaching of science; and co-directed a number of grants. He also serves as the Director of the WIU Maurice G. Kellogg Center for Science Education, which annually sponsors the WIU Regional Illinois Science Olympiad and the Pre-K-8 Science Update Conference.
Barbara R. Sandall, Ed.D.
BR-Sandall@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 62A
309-298-1411
Dr. Barbara Sandall was awarded her BA from Illinois Wesleyan University; her MA from DePaul University in Chicago and her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University with an emphasis in science education. She serves as professor in Science Education and Elementary Education teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. She works with students and classroom teachers in the senior field experiences. Her professional activities include working with grants, conducting in-service teacher workshops and courses for regional offices of education; presenting at state and national conferences; has served as a reviewer for higher education Elementary Education Programs for the Illinois Board of Education, and has served as an officer with state, national and international associations and special committees. Dr. Sandall also works with WIU Science Education faculty to conduct undergraduate environmental workshops in Project WILD and Project WET and to host the Illinois Regional Science Olympiad and the Pre-K-8 Science Update Conference.
Sara D. Simonson, Ph.D.
SD-Simonson@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 48D
309-298-2510
Dr. Simonson earned her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She teaches graduate courses in secondary reading methods, decoding, vocabulary, assessment, literacy techniques and strategies, and leadership in reading. She has presented at the state, national, and international conference levels. Dr. Simonson is very active with in-service and workshops at the local level. She works with the Illinois State Board of Education, writing and presenting modules across the state to share best practice in reading instruction at a variety of grade levels. Dr. Simonson also writes a column for professional development in literacy for the Illinois Reading Council Journal.
Abha Singh, Ph.D
A-Singh@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 63C
309-298-3013
Dr. Abha Singh has her MS and Ph.D. degrees in Science Education and Environment Science with a minor in Gifted Education from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Her areas of specialization are in Elementary and Middle School Science Education. Her dissertation title is "Professional Development and Perspectives of Science Teachers: An Extracurricular Science Program for Gifted Middle School Students". She has presented at state, national and international conferences. Her latest research was a collaborative effort documenting weekly reflective journaling by in-service teachers as a means of initiating practice of "consistent reflection of teaching". Other presentations were Curriculum Innovation through the Practicum Experience and Professional Development: A Recipe for Excellence, which focused on encouraging teachers to use differentiation in teaching science to highly able science students at the Iowa Talented and Gifted Conference. Her desire is to encourage undergraduate science teachers to intergrate science content with other subject areas.
Frances A. Steward, Ph. D.
FA-Steward@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 22A
309-298-1694
Dr. Frances Steward earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading; Ed.S. (Administration, Supervision, Student Teaching Supervision and Reading
Specialist) from Louisiana State University; Masters in Elementary Education from Mississippi College; and her Bachelors in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She currently serves in the department as a tenured Associate Professor teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in Language Arts, Reading, and Parent and Community Involvement. Dr. Steward is the Newsletter Editor, Webmaster and Publicity Chair of Western Illinois Reading Council; and is a member of the Illinois Reading Council International Project Committee. She actively presents at national and state conferences and district level workshops. Her national, state and local level publications, presentations, and research interests are in reading, parent and community involvement, and science.
Melissa Stinnett, Ph.D.
M-Stinnett@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm, 66
309-298-2033
Dr. Melissa Stinnett is assistant professor of reading at Western Illinois University in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses. She is involved in Western Illinois Reading Council, serving as Governmental Relations Chair and is currently President Elect. She is also an officer for Kappa Delta Pi. Dr. Stinnett has had much experience with early literacy instruction, teaching Reading Recovery, kindergarten, first, and second grades. She is a frequent presenter at state and national literacy conferences. She writes the research column for Illinois Reading Council Journal.
Barry L. Witten, Ph.D.
BL-Witten@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 76
309-298-1789
Dr. Witten earned his Ph.D. from Kansas State University in Curriculum and Instruction in 1999. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Social Studies Education at both elementary and secondary levels in in the department. Dr. Witten is active both at the state and national levels of the National Council for the Social Studies and is also active in the National Council for Geographic Education. His area of specialization is history education. Dr. Witten helps administer a U.S. history grant for area middle level and high school American history teachers funded by the U.S. Department of Education. He is finishing his seventh volume of teaching strategies as editor of publications for two different history grants. His research interests include the American West, historical inquiry, performance assessment, and current trends/issues in elementary education.
Jean Maakestad Wolf, Ph.D.
JE-Wolf@wiu.edu
Horrabin Hall, Rm. 22B
309-298-1542
Dr. Wolf earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She currently teaches Early Childhood Education courses in the department with a focus on curriculum and methods, the function of play, foundations of the early childhood field, and pre-student teaching experiences. Dr. Wolf is faculty advisor for the student group, ECHOS (Early Childhood Organization for Students). As an active participant in various statewide initiatives, she has played a key role in identifying core knowledge, skills, and dispositions for early childhood educators in Illinois, as part of a newly implemented Professional Development System for Early Childhood in Illinois. Current research interests include making connections between theory, knowledge, and practice in early childhood settings and exploring interactions between personal, professional, and practical knowledge.