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School of Education Faculty
FacultyDr. Brenda Priddy, Dean
Dr. Beverly Ennis
Mrs. Donna Fohl
Dr. Donnie Lawrence
Dr. Teresa Spurling
Dr. Bill Stout
Ms. Norma R. Wheat
Dr. Robert VanEst
Dr. John Vokurka
Dr. S. Pamela Zhu
Adjunct Faculty
Wilma McGuire
Joyce Payne
Lilian Clark
Keith Benningfield
Donald Cheatham
Staff
Secretary to the Dean of the School of Education - Bettye MacFarland bmmacfarland@campbellsville.edu
Data Entry Specialist for the School of Education - Gwen Sampson
Special Education Program Assistant - Sondra Burress srburress@campbellsville.edu
Office Assistant - Brandon Higgs bhhiggs@campbellsville.edu
Faculty
Brenda A. Priddy, Ed.D.
Dean and Associate Professor
Office: Carter Hall 207A
Phone: 270-789-5344
E-mail: bapriddy@campbellsville.edu
Dr. Priddy is originally from Lexington, Kentucky and currently resides in Elizabethtown with her husband, Lewis, who is also in the education profession. Dr. Priddy earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of Kentucky; a M.A. degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English from Morehead State University; a Rank I in Educational Administration with certification for supervision, principalship, and the superintendency; and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville. Dr. Priddy has two grown sons, Michael who lives in Hong Kong, China and Shawne who lives in Fredericksburg, VA.
Dr. Priddy taught English at all grade levels, 7-12, at Owen County High School and served as department chair and gifted education director at the high school. Additionally, she served as the sponsor of the school newspaper, cheerleading squads, and the drill team. She has also worked for the Kentucky Department of Education at two different points in her career. First, as staff development consultant/director and then as a Distinguished Educator, assisting schools in improving their performance on the state assessment.
Dr. Priddy’s career included service in the administrative positions of Instructional Supervisor and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction with the Elizabethtown Independent Schools and as principal at LaRue County Middle School.
She is an alumni of Leadership Elizabethtown and the Kentucky Education Leadership Institute and maintains membership in Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Kentucky Retired Teachers Association, and the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. She is a lifetime member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association. Her awards include: Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator Award, KASA Outstanding Leadership Award; and, Rotarian of the Year Award.
Her scholarly interests include curriculum and professional development, research-based best instructional practices, instructional leadership, and school-based decision making.
Dottie Davis
Instructor of Education
Office: Carter Hall 206
Phone: 270- 789-5090
E-mail: dldavis@campbellsville.edu
Mrs. Davis is an instructor of education at Campbellsville University. She has been employed in the School of Education since August 2001 teaching the Introduction to Education, Children’s Literature courses, and Reading Methodology courses.
She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Elementary Education and from Campbellsville University with an M.A.E. in Curriculum and Instruction. She maintains professional membership in the Kentucky Reading Association, International Reading Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Some of her faculty contributions include serving as a major advisor for (P-5) elementary education majors, supervising student teachers and interns in elementary schools, coordinating CAP 1 interviews for admission to the teacher education program, KEA-SP co-faculty advisor, and faculty representative for the Campbellsville Independent School 21st Century Advisory Council. In addition, she is currently serves on the Professional Development Committee and the Teacher Education Committee.
Mrs. Davis has been active in many local and regional community organizations such as Campbellsville Business & Professional Women’s Club (past president), BPW/Kentucky Board of Directors, Taylor County Jr. Miss Board of Directors, Leadership Campbellsville/Taylor County, University of Kentucky Alumni Association South Central Kentucky Region (past president), and the Kentucky Women’s Leadership Network.
Mrs. Davis currently resides in Campbellsville with her husband Rick Davis, who is a teacher at Green County High School.
Beverly Ennis, Ph. D
Assistant Professor of Education
Office: SUB 11
Phone: 270- 789-5174
E-mail: bcennis@campbellsville.edu
Dr. Ennis is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Campbellsville University. She resides in Greensburg with her husband, Dr. Larry Ennis, who also is in the education profession. Dr. Ennis earned a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Campbellsville College; a M.A. degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in history from Western Kentucky University; a Rank I in Guidance Counseling as well as additional certification as an Instructional Supervisor from Western Kentucky University; and completed a PhD from the University of Louisville in December 2007. Ms. Ennis has two daughters, Jackie who serves in the Space Command at Peterson Air force Base in Colorado Springs, and Jamie who works for The American Heart Association and lives in Lexington. She has one granddaughter, Shelby.
Dr. Ennis retired from the Campbellsville Independent School District after having been a mathematics teacher, high school guidance counselor, and supervisor of instruction. She also worked as an associate for the Center for School Safety by providing guidance to school districts beginning alternative programs.
She is an alumnus of Leadership Kentucky, Leadership Campbellsville/Taylor County, and Leadership Greensburg/Green County. Her awards include: Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Educator, FHA Outstanding Administrator of the Year, and Business and Professional Woman’s-Woman of the Year. She served many years on the Campbellsville City Council and was Mayor-Pro tem.
Donna Fohl
Early Childhood Education Program coordinator/Instructor
Office: Carter Hall 210
Phone: 270-789-5477
E-mail: dbfohl@campbellsville.edu
Donna Fohl is the co-coordinator of the Early Childhood Education program and instructor at Campbellsville University.
She began as a faculty member at the university in August 2006 and teaches Early Childhood Education courses and advises students in both the Early Childhood Education Associates and Bachelors programs.
Donna received her B.S. in Home Economics (Child Development Minor) from Georgetown College and completed her Master of Arts in Education at Western Kentucky University. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA). Donna has been an Infant Center Supervisor, Preschool teacher, Child Safety Coordinator at two military installations, Child Development Center Director for the American School of Kuwait, and an Early Childhood Education adjunct instructor at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Elizabethtown, KY.
She currently resides in Elizabethtown with her husband, Larry, who is Director of the Troops to Teachers program for Kentucky. They have three sons, Tom (graduated EKU 05’), Stephen (attending EKU and will graduate 07’), and Michael (a senior at Central Hardin High School).
Carolyn A. Garrison, Ed.D.
Office: Carter Hall 203
Phone: 270- 789-5284
E-mail: cagarrison@campbellsville.edu
Carolyn A. Garrison is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Campbellsville University. She serves as Director of Program Development and Evaluation and teaches courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
She has been a faculty member at the university since 1973, and has primarily taught in the elementary and middle grades programs. Courses she has taught or is teaching include Reading and Language Arts for both P-5 and middle grades, Middle Grades Literature, Math and Science, Social Studies, Classroom Management, the introductory education course, Instructional Technology, Reading Theory for the online special education program, Curriculum Theory for the MAE program and two basic studies courses, Study Skills and Improving Reading Proficiency. She also supervises student teachers and serves on internship committees.
Originally from eastern Kentucky, she graduated from Berea College with a B.A. in Elementary Education and from Eastern Kentucky University with a M.A. in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Reading. She has an Ed. D. from the University of Kentucky in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in reading. In addition, she has taken courses at Western Kentucky University, the University of Missouri, Drake University and Arizona State University. She is a member of KATE, KACTE, IRA, KRA and ASCD. She has taught on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico and in Mount Vernon, KY.
She lives in Campbellsville with her husband, Bruce, a teacher in the local middle school. Their family includes a daughter, Angie Skaggs and her husband, Mike, granddaughter, Baylie, grandson, Jake, and a son, David Garrison.
One of her favorite quotes is by Winston Churchill when he was invited back to his high school to speak. He introduced his topic about when to ‘quit’ striving for a goal, said “Never, never, never!” and then sat down-the shortest speech on record. His advice is pertinent to personal goals but also to teaching. “Never, never, never give up striving to teach a student!”
Sharon Hundley
Office: Carter Hall 210
Phone: 270-789-5477
E-mail: slhundley@campbellsville.edu
Sharon Hundley is the co-coordinator of the Early Childhood Education program and instructor at Campbellsville University, starting fall 2008. She has served as the Coordinator/Instructor of the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program at Elizabethtown Community & Technical College. Sharon has also worked as a preschool/kindergarten teacher, an early childhood professional trainer, and a program administrator.
Sharon received her B.A. in Speech/Theatre Arts with a secondary education certification and a minor in Dance Education from Western Kentucky University and an early childhood teaching certification from the Association Montessori Internationale in Washington, D.C. She earned a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Oral Roberts University where she is also currently completing her doctoral dissertation in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in early childhood post-secondary education. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA), and the Council for Exceptional Children - Division of Early Childhood.
Sharon resides in Elizabethtown with her husband, Richard, a manufacturer of educational equipment, and Victoria, a student at John Hardin High School. They also have three grown children and four grandchildren. Their oldest daughter is the artistic director for an advertising agency in Kansas City, MO; their second daughter teaches part-time in her church's preschool program in High Point, NC; and their son is an aerospace engineer in San Diego, CA.
Sharon values service in the early childhood community and is currently an Advisory Board member for Grayson/Breckenridge Head Start Program and Community Coordinated Child Care. She was founding member of the LaRue County Early Childhood Council, which has successfully written grants to support local early care and education practices. She values family time, enjoys reading and sports, and has a passion for orphaned and abandoned children as well as international education mission work.
Donna Irwin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
Office: Student Union Building 11A
Phone: 270- 789-5241
E-mail: drirwin@campbellsville.edu
A West Kentucky native, Donna Rice Irwin received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Campbellsville University in 1992 and her Master of Music in Music Education from CU in 1999. Dr. Irwin taught in the public schools from 1992 to 2001 where she served as Choral Director for Marion County High School and Lebanon Middle School. She also has training and experience with Migrant Education and the Gifted and Talented. Following her years in public schools, Dr. Irwin taught part-time for the School of Music at Campbellsville University, teaching music education methods courses, applied voice, and Chamber Choir. She has a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Kentucky.
Donna Irwin has been instrumental in assisting music educators in Kentucky acquire expertise in meeting KERA standards and establishing more prominent Standards-Based Units of study in preparation for KTIP. She is also interested in creating bridges between content areas in order to create a more effective learning environment for all students. Dr. Irwin teaches Instructional Strategies, Assessment, and courses in the Gifted and Talented Endorsement Program as well as Graduate courses in the MAE and Special Education programs.
In addition to her teaching duties, she also directs Campbellsville University's Future Educators of America Camp.
Dr. Donnie Lawrence, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Office: Druin Hall, Room 123
Phone: 270-789-5139
E-Mail: dalawrence@campbellsville.edu
Dr. Lawrence is an Associate Professor of Education. He earned his B.A. in sociology, history, and Latin American Studies from Wichita State University. He also received his Masters from Wichita State in an innovative program which included educational leadership, curriculum and instruction and multicultural education with minor emphases in English as a second language and alternatives in education fulfilling the requirements of a teaching and research fellowship. His Ph.D. was earned at Kansas University at Lawrence. It is interdisciplinary focusing on comparative foundations of education, curriculum theory, and organizational behavior. Cognates include history and Latin American Studies. He has taught in both secular and non-secular settings. He has two sons attending college in West Virginia and one daughter, Kristyna, who is deceased. His wife is a certified interpreter for the deaf. His interests include most parts of Latin America especially Brazil; adolescence, pop culture, and education; history of ideas in education and sociology, juvenile delinquency and social institutions that educate. Current research includes 1) changing education of at-risk youth; 2) William Cameron Townsend and missionaries in Latin America; 3) Brazilian people's movements; 4) comparisons in Brazil and the United States; and, 5) applying multiple intelligences to learning theories.
Teresa Phillips Spurling, Ph.D, NBCT
Assistant Professor, Director of Student Teaching
Office: Carter Hall 202
Phone: 270- 789-5345
E-mail: tspurling@campbellsville.edu
Teresa Spurling is a native of Taylor County, KY. She retired from Kentucky Public Education in 2001. During this time she was a middle school teacher and from 1998 – 2001 she worked as state science consultant at the Kentucky Department of Education in Frankfort, KY.
Teresa earned a B.A. from Campbellsville University; M.A. degree from Western Kentucky University; Rank I in Educational Administration and Supervision from Western Kentucky University; Ph.D. in Professional Studies from Capella University. In addition, Teresa is a National Board Certified Teacher, achieving initial certification in 1998.
Professional memberships include: National Education Association, Retired; KY Education Association, Retired; Taylor County Education Association, Retired; Phi Delta Kappa, Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Taylor County Historical Society; Kentucky Historical Society; National Science Teachers Association, Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators, Kentucky Association of College Teachers of Education, Kentucky Association of National Board Certified Teachers.
Teresa was named Instructional Technology Leader, 1995-97 and Outstanding Instructional Technology Leader, 1996. In addition she has been included in numerous biographical publications including: Who's Who in South and Southwest 1988-1991; Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America 1989-1990; Who's Who in America, 1990-06; World Who's Who of Women 1991-97; International Leaders of Achievement, 1990; Who's Who Among American Teachers 1992; Who's Who in American Education 1992/08; Dictionary of International Biography 1994; Who Will be Who in 21st Century 1994; Who's Who in the World 1995-96; Who’s Who of American Women 2002-09; Two Thousand Notable American Women 2004; Great American Women of the 21st Century 2005; Empire Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry 2005-06; Manchester Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals 2005-06; and Cambridge Who’s Who in Education 2007-08.
In addition to other responsibilities, Teresa is Director of the summer teacher academies at Clay Hill Memorial Forest and Joan White Howell Environmental Education Center
Teresa and her husband, Jim, have four sons and five grandchildren. Jim is retired from General Telephone and Electronics and real estate sales. Their sons are Mark, David, Ronald, and Aaron. Mark, Kate, Sarah Caitlyn and William Parker live in Shelbyville; David, Karen, Matthew, MacKenzie, and Mark Allen live in Lexington; Ronald, Ana-Lisa, Lucas Hanson, and Collier Rhys live in Rochester, NY and Aaron lives in Versailles.
Dr. Billy H. Stout , Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Special Education
Office: Student Union Building 13
Phone: 270-789-5408
E-mail: bhstout@campbellsville.edu
Dr. Stout is an associate professor of education for the Special Education Program at CU. He served as an IDEA due process hearing officer for the Kentucky Department of Education, Division of Exceptional Children Services, for 21 years. Dr. Stout received his B.S. degree in elementary education from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky and his M.S. degree in elementary education/special education from Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana. He received his Ed.D. degree in school administration from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Dr. Stout taught special education law at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky as an adjunct professor. During his 30 years in public education, he has taught elementary education, special education, and has served as an elementary principal, interim director of special education, and a school superintendent for 17 years in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Robert E. VanEst, Ph.D.
Office: Carter Hall 307
Phone: 270-789-5516
E-mail: revanest@campbellsville.edu
My coming from a business background has generated a drive to continually re-examine educational ideas and policies for their value to the students whose educational experience is driven by those ideas and policies. Even for-profit businesses that thrive typically care about their employees, and the evidence of that caring is seen in the conditions and benefits they provide those employees. Schools and teachers need to care even more about their students, because they have taken on the responsibility of working with people in the processes of forming and reforming their lives.
EDUCATION
B.S. in English, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, 1969
M.S. in English Teaching, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, 1997
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/English, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, August 2000
TEACHING POSITIONS HELD
Associate Professor, Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Kentucky, 2001-
Instructor, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, 1998-2001
Instructor, Indiana Vocational Technical College, Terre Haute, Indiana, 1997-2000
Teacher, Audio-visual Coordinator, Plainfield Community Schools, Plainfield, Indiana, 1969-1972
John F. Vokurka, Ed.D.
Associate Professor in Special Education Program
Office: Student Union Building 13
Phone: 270-789-5168
E-mail: jfvokurka@campbellsville.edu
Home E-mail: bohunkjj@insightbb.com
Dr. John Vokurka is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he received all of his degrees. As an undergraduate he majored in elementary education and special education. At the graduate level he concentrated on the area of special education with minors in educational psychology and linguistics. Dr. Vokurka has taught in the public schools, worked as a consultant to institutional programs, and taught in higher education. He retired in 2001 as a Full Professor from Western Kentucky University. While at Western he served as coordinator of the special education program. He was also the Director of the Caveland Educational Support Center for sixteen years. He was a successful grant writer and was honored by Western as being one of the first individuals to become a member of the Millionaires Club for faculty who have obtained more than one million dollars in grant funding. While at Western he received the faculty award for community service and the Tate Page award.
Outside of the university setting Dr. Vokurka was appointed by the Governor to the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children for seven years, he served as a Due Process Hearing Officer for eighteen years, and he also was selected for a five year Kellog Fellowship in leadership by the Kellog Foundation and traveled extensively to South America. His expertise in special education resulted in his serving on many decision making committees at the state, regional, and national levels. Additionally, he has served as a consultant to schools and agencies and has worked closely with the Educational Professional Standards Board in the development of the continuing education option for rank change.
Dr. Vokurka believes that his expertise is in the areas of law, methodology, behavioral management, and program development for individuals with mild to moderate disabilities.
Dr. V or Dr. John as he likes to be called values his family and enjoys the outdoors, fishing, reading, and doing things with his hands. He believes that every life is a gift which should be valued and cherished and shared with others.
Norma R. Wheat
Coordinator for Special Education Program
Office: CH 204
Telephone: 270-789-5169
E-mail: nrwheat@campbellsville.edu
Ms. Wheat is the Coordinator for the Special Education Program for Campbellsville University. With twenty-eight years of experience in working with exceptional children, Ms Wheat has spent the past twelve years as the Director of Special Education for the Russell County School District. Prior to that, she served as a classroom teacher for sixteen years in McCreary County Schools, Somerset Independent Schools, and Russell County Schools.
Ms. Wheat holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in exceptional children (TMH) from Eastern Kentucky University as well as a Master of Arts degree in Exceptional Children/Learning and Behavior Disorders also from Eastern Kentucky University. Her endorsement for Director of Special Education was awarded from the University of Kentucky.
Professionally, Ms. Wheat is active in a number of organizations. She is currently on the executive board of the Kentucky Council of Administrators of Special Education as well as being a member of both the Council of Exceptional Children and the Manchester Who's Who of Executives and Professionals. In addition, Ms. Wheat is also involved in civic and community events. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Jamestown. Originally from Rockcastle County, Ms. Wheat now resides in Jamestown, Kentucky where she enjoys spending time with her three sons - Jeremy (wife Summer), Gary (wife Nancy), Jeff (wife Kim) - her three grandchildren - Jarrod, Reagan, and Reece.
S. Pamela Zhu, Ed.D.
Pamela S. Zhu
Professor of Education
Office: Student Union Building 8
Phone:
E-mail: pszhu@campbellsville.edu
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Shanghai Teachers’ University
B.A. English Education
1982
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M.A. English as a Second Language
1988
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Ed. D. Elementary Education/Special Education
1992
AREAS of EXPERTISE
On-Line Special Education Courses for MASE, P-12 Reading,
Multicultural Education, Supervision of Pre-service Educators and Interns,
Advising Graduate Students
Staff
Ms. Bettye MacFarland
Secretary to the Dean of the School of Education
Office: CH 207
Phone: 270-789-5252
E-mail: bmmacfarland@campbellsville.edu
Ms. MacFarland has a B. A. in elementary education from Georgetown College and completed coursework for a M.A. at Western Kentucky University. A native of Greensburg, KY, she has lived and taught in Kentucky and Florida. Her daughter, Christy and husband live in Lexington, KY.
Mrs. Gwen Sampson
Data Entry Specialist for the School of Education
Office: Carter Hall 214
Phone: 270-789-5156
E-mail: gmsampson@campbellsville.edu
Ms. Sondra Burress
Special Education Program Assistant
Office: Carter Hall 201
Phone: 270-789-5160
E-Mail: srburress@campbellsville.edu
Sondra is originally from Campbellsville, KY. She has a beautiful little girl, Hayley, and a handsome little boy, Lukas, as well as identical twin girls Jillyan and Lillyan. Sondra earned a B.S. degree in Social Work in December of 2002.
Besides working with the special education program full time, she also enjoys spending time as the youth director at her church.
Mr. Brandon Higgs
Office Assistant
Office: CH 207
Phone: 270-789-5252
E-mail: bhhiggs@campbellsville.edu