Associate Dean of Education
Office Location
Center for Teaching and Learning
Biography
With thirty-seven years’ experience in K-12 public schools and higher education as a regular classroom teacher, learning specialist and administrator, it is a joy to work with new teachers who are exploring their own future careers in the classroom. In becoming the person I am; follower of Christ, husband, father, educator, runner, musician, reader, I have come to believe that my work is ultimately grounded in my spirit. That spirit is grounded in a belief that I am called to a purpose beyond myself. I cling to several core values and ideas and make it a practice to reflect on them often. They are:
- I love to learn, therefore I teach.
- Good teaching and learning is ultimately the product of a caring, trusting relationship between a teacher and a student.
- All students can learn and they should have adults and mentors in their lives who are ready, willing and able to teach them.
- Good teaching is the integration of Science and Art. Great teachers recognize the complexity of their task by choosing from a vast repertoire of practices much like a painter picks their colors from a palette. The science is in applying best practices, while the art comes from orchestrating and synthesizing all of those practices, habits and patterns into a production that is the classroom.
- Schools are learning communities where we all learn together- teachers, students, parents and more who are striving to help each other reach their fullest potential as human beings who will create a better world for us all. This is especially important as we face barriers to equity and social justice that include racism, white privilege, poverty and many others.
Education
- Doctorate in Educational Leadership Ed.D – Portland State University, 2015
- Completed Continuing Administrator/Superintendent’s Licensure program at Portland State University, 2006
- Masters in Special Education – Portland State University, 1994
- Bachelors of Science – Education/Social Science- Western Oregon University, 1988
Areas of Teaching
Teacher preparation courses including the following in both undergraduate and graduate levels:
- Exceptional Learners
- Integration of Educational Technology
- Literacy Methods
- Observation, Assessment and Evaluation
Areas of Expertise / Research Interests
Educational Leadership, Teacher Preparation, Social Emotional Learning, Inter-Faith Understanding, Literacy, Special Education and Technology Integration
Publications, Presentations, & Academic Accomplishments
Dissertation
Spooner, Kevin Eugene, “Leadership and Decision-Making Skills of High Poverty Elementary School Principals in an Era of Reduced Resources” (2015). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2456.
http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2456
CIC (Council for Independent Colleges) and Inter-Faith America Seminar in June of 2024
Selected to participate in this seminar on Teaching Interfaith Understanding in June of 2024. More information can be found at this site- https://cic.edu/opportunity/teaching-interfaith-understanding/
Worked with the School of Education team to submit a grant proposal to the Federal Department of Education and the Hawkins Center for Education Excellence with goals that included degree program development in Special Education and Bi-Lingual Education as well as tuition support for teacher candidates pursuing degrees and licensure in these areas. WPU received the grant in October of 2024.
Presented model of Supported Education at the National Middle School conference in 1993.
Fulbright Exchange- One of twelve teachers in Oregon selected to participate in Fulbright Exchange to SouthAfrica to research changes in society, culture and education in July of 1995 after the change in Government and the Election of Nelson Mandela as President.
Professional Affiliations
OAICU (Oregon Association of Independent Colleges and Universities) June 2019 – Present
Served as the elected secretary (2018-2019 Academic Year) for the association of Educator Preparation Programs from independent universities across the state who advocate for the development of Teacher Preparation.
OACTE (Oregon Association of Colleges of Teacher Education) June 2019- Present
AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation) June 2020- Present
Participated in accreditation activities with cohorts throughout Oregon and other states in addition to supporting the work to complete accreditation successfully at Warner Pacific
Community Engagement / Service
TSPC (Teacher Standards and Practices Commission June 2021- Present
Supporting this state agency by participating in several work groups to update policies and procedures in the areas of Clinical Practice and Special Education.
Metropolitan Family Services July 2019- Present
Serving as the Chairman of the Board for this organization in Portland whose mission is to help families move beyond the limitations of poverty, inequity and social isolation. Work focusing on areas of social justice, economic empowerment and public school enrichment programs.
Favorite quote
“It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farmworkers can become the president of a great nation”. -Nelson Mandela