Rita Curtis joined the faculty at Campbellsville University in August of 2016. However, this is not where her journey began with Campbellsville University. She is also a proud graduate as well, receiving both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with CU. She currently teaches ECE and IECE courses at the regional sites of Elizabethtown and Owensboro. She also teaches several courses through our Belize partners.
Rita Curtis served as a preschool teacher at Breckinridge Grayson Programs Head Start/Early Head Start from 2005 to 2016. Here she had the opportunity to work closely with families in an environment where the main focus is to provide quality experiences for children as well as families.
Rita’s primary research centers around the partnership between the IECE program and two junior colleges in Belize, where she played a part in the creation of the associate’s degree program. She teaches several courses in this program–the first of its kind and made possible through a UNESCO grant. Rita also went on to assist with the implementation of the Early Childhood bachelors’ program through Campbellsville University for Belizean students. She continues to work closely with both programs.
Degrees/Certifications: Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, A. Science (2005). Campbellsville University, B.S. IECE (2013). Campbellsville University, TLMAE. (2016). Kentucky Early Childhood Certified Trainer (2020).
Degree in progress: Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) with specialization in Curriculum and Instruction. Dissertation Defense–Fall of 2022.
Presentations: Rita Curtis has presented both domestically and internationally. Beginning in 2014, she was a part of the first Early Childhood Conference in Belmopan, Belize. She has continued each year to be a part of this conference with presentations through the district coordinators in Belize. She has also presented in China and Nigeria on a variety of early childhood topics.
Presentation 2013-2021 Belize, Early Childhood Workshops
Presentation 2014 & 2020 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Presentation 2016 China, Early Childhood Presentations
Presentation 2017 Nigeria, Kings College
Presentation 2019 San Antonio, Texas
Presentation 2019 Los Angeles, California
Committees: CU-SOE Webpage; SOE-CAEP Standard 4; SOE-Technology Committee; ECE/IECE Advisory Board; Teacher Education Committee.