Meet the Faculty
Full-time Faculty
Dr. Amy Hewitt
Courses taught: TEP 436 Math Methods for Middle and Secondary Students, TEP 405 Teaching in the Middle School
Research Interests: Mathematics education, whole-class discussions, selecting and sequencing strategies for whole-class discussions
Email: ahewi2@uis.edu
Office phone: 217-206-8150
Dr. Meghan Kessler 
Courses Taught: TEP 318 Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment, TEP 425 Methods of Elementary Social Studies and Humanities, TEP 438 Social Studies Methods for Middle and Secondary Levels, TEP 448 Elementary and Middle Level Clinical Practice Seminar
Research Interests: Social Studies education, social justice education, teaching controversial issues, teacher professional learning and socialization, policies and practices of teacher evaluation
Meghan Kessler Curriculum Vita
Email: makessl2@uis.edu
Office phone: 217-206-7587
Dr. Jennifer Martin 
Courses taught: TEP 315 Managing the Diverse Classroom, TEP 419 Content Area Literacy Methods, 449 Middle Level and High School Clinical Practice Seminar
Research Interests: Culturally responsive teaching and leading, curriculum theory/critical theory, educational equity and multicultural education, English education and literacy, service-learning, urban education
Selected Publications (Journal Articles):
- Martin, J. L., & Beese, J. A. (2020). The bus incident. Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership.
- Hoffman, J. W., & Martin, J. L. (2020). Abolitionist teaching in an urban district: A literacy coup. Urban Education.
- Hernández-Saca, D. I., Martin, J. L.,& Meacham, S. (2020). The hidden elephant is oppression: Shaming, mobbing, and institutional betrayals within the academy—finding strength in collaborative self-study. Studying Teacher Education: A Journal of Self-Study of Teacher Education Practices, 16(1),26-47.
- Martin, J. L., & Beese, J. A. (2020). Moving beyond the lecture: Inspiring social justice engagement through counter-story using case study pedagogy. The Educational Forum, 84(3),210-225.
- Martin, J. L., & Brooks, J. N. (2020). Turning white: Co-opting a profession through the myth of progress, an intersectional historical perspective of Brown v. Board of Education, Educational Considerations, 45(2). https://doi.org/10.4148/0146-9282.2190
- Martin, J. L. & Chase, E. (2019). Space defenders: A Foucauldian analysis of power and privilege for women in positions of K -12 leadership.Psychology of Women and Equalities Review (POWER) Special Issue – Feminisms and Leadership.
- Hoffman, J. W., & Martin, J. L.(2019). Critical social justice inquiry circles: Using counterstory as a counter-hegemonic project. Qualitative Inquiry, 26(6), 687-694.
- Beese, J. A., & Martin, J. L. (2017). The bathroom case: Creating a supportive school environment for transgender and gender nonconforming students. .Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, 21(2), 65-76. Recipient: Paula Silver Case Award.
Selected Publications (Books):
- Martin, J. L., & Brooks, J. N. (In progress). Mentoring the mentor: Celebrating the intersection of learning together, a reciprocal journey. New York, NY: DIO Press.
- Martin, J. L., Nickels, A., & Grier, M. L. S. (Eds.). (2017).Feminist pedagogy, practice, and activism: Improving lives for girls and women. New York, NY: Routledge. [Reprinted in paperback in 2019]
- Beese, J. A. & Martin, J. L.(2017). Teaching for educational equity: Case studies for professional development and principal preparation, volume 2. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Martin, J. L. & Beese, J. A. (2016). Teaching for educational equity: Case studies for professional development and principal preparation, volume 1. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Martin, J. L. (Ed.). (2015). Racial battle fatigue: Insights from the front lines of social justice advocacy. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger. Recipient: AERA Division B’s Outstanding Book Recognition Award.
Podcast: eduCATE: Caring Activist Teachers for Equity
Jennifer Martin Curriculum Vita
Email: jmart315@uis.edu
Office phone: 217-206-7007
Dr. Hanfu Mi
Courses taught: EDL 592 Linguistics, TEP 419 Content Area Literacy Methods, TEP 423 Methods of Elementary Reading and Language Arts
Research Interests: Applied linguistics, global Englishes, assessment and accreditation, language acquisition, literacy development with an emphasis on sociocultural linguistic factors
Email: hmi2@uis.edu
Office phone: 217-206-8518
Dr. Ronda Mitchell
Courses taught: TEP 202 Introduction to Teaching as Service (PATI); TEP 211 Wellness for Elementary Teachers; TEP 207 Foundations of American Education; TEP 318 Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment; Director of Prairie Area Teaching Initiative (PATI, formerly Project Midstate Student Support for Teachers – MSS); and Chapter Advisor for Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Alpha Gamma Chapter(KDP).
Research interests: Portraiture methodology as it applies to career changers and first-generation/diversity college students; Paraprofessionals journey to licensure.
Ronda Mitchell Curriculum Vita
Email: rmitche@uis.edu
Office phone: 217-206-7008
Adjunct Faculty
Scott Doerr, Ph.D.
TEP 207 Foundations of American Education
Mike Finnell-Gudwein
TEP 435 English Methods for Secondary
Michelle Hellman
TEP 224 Exceptional Child for Teachers
Julie Hoffman, Ed.D.
TEP 423 Methods of Elementary Reading and Language Arts
Kara McElwrath
TEP 305 Technology for Teachers
Rod McQuality
TEP 207 Foundations of American Education, TEP 222 Child Development for Teachers
Rick Stokes, Ph.D.
TEP 426 Elementary Science Methods, TEP 437 Science Methods for Middle and Secondary Levels
Tyler Tanaka
TEP 223 Adolescent Psychology for Teachers