Education Faculty
Illana Lane, Ph.D.
Acting Dean, School of Education,
Associate Professor
Dr. Illana R. Lane has taught at Medaille since
2001, instructing undergraduate and graduate students in the graduate programs.
She has instructed students in math, science, and technology methods of education,
foundations of education, diversity and research in education. She has also advised
student teachers and directed master's thesis projects. She earned a Ph.D. in the
sociology of education from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2003.
In addition to serving on many College committees, Dr. Lane has served as chair
of program director for the Elementary Education programs. She serves on the Amherst
Central School District Board of Education and is a board member for the New York
Association of Teacher Educators (NYSATE). Her participation in other organizations
includes, Jack and Jill of America Inc., and Delta Kappa Gamma. In addition to presenting
at local, national and international conferences on educational issues, she has
also received recognition from Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals
and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Virginia Batchelor, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Virginia Batchelor (vbatchelor@medaille.edu)
is an associate professor in the Education Department, and has received over a dozen
awards for community service. She earned her Ph.D. in the sociology of education
from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2001, and has taught at Medaille
since 2001. Her courses in Education Methods and Materials, Foundations in Education,
and Explorations in Diversity draw from her research and lecture experience. She
is currently researching women's health and social issues.
Michelle Cefaratti, Ed.M.
Visiting Instructor
Michelle Cefaratti (mac323@medaille.edu)
began teaching at Medaille in 2006. She has taught at D'Youville College in Buffalo
and as an elementary school teacher in the Williamsville Central School District
for 8 years. Michelle earned a B.F.A. from Syracuse University in 1991 and an Ed.M.
from SUNY Buffalo in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Reading in 2003. She
is a member of the International Reading Association (IRA) and runs the Early Intervention
and Elementary Reading Clinics at Medaille. She also teaches Developmental Literacy
and Assessment courses in the Literacy Department.
Craig Centrie, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Craig Centrie (ccentrie@medaille.edu)
is an assistant professor in the Education Department and is the director of the
curriculum and instruction graduate program. As a specialist in ethnographic data
collection, he is the department's resident anthropologist. His work explores schools
as a site for identity and culture construction. His most recent publication, Vietnamese
Youth in an American High School, examines the identity formation of young
Vietnamese refugees and their experiences in American schools. Dr. Centrie is an
experienced world traveler and has lectured widely in Europe, Latin America, and
Asia on education, art and human rights. In June 2005 he presented at the United
Nations' Women's World Conference in Seoul, South Korea, on the experiences of Vietnamese
female refugees and human rights. For over 25 years, Dr. Centrie has been an active
member of Western New York's cultural community, co-founding el Museo Francisco
Oller y Diego Rivera, the area's only visual arts organization dedicated to the
visual art of Latinos. As a photographer and videographer, he inspires creativity
in his students and encourages new ways to explore academic issues.
Claudia Conway, M.S.Ed.
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Program Director for MSED Literacy,
Chair of Undergraduate Education Programs
Claudia Conway is a Clinical Assistant
Professor in Literacy, assuming the role of Program Director for MS Ed. in Literacy
in 2007. Conway’s area of expertise is in language development and early literacy.
Prior to coming to Medaille, she taught for twenty-five years in public schools
in Ohio. In 2000, she joined John Carroll University and the Institute of Educational
Renewal as a literacy specialist working on-site in the Cleveland Public Schools.
Her work included teaching graduate courses focusing on literacy instruction and
whole-school renewal, providing classroom coaching, and presenting whole-school
and district staff development seminars. She also mentored building principals in
the implementation of professional learning communities. Conway currently teaches
both undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy.
Elaine Correa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Elaine Correa (ecorrea@medaille.edu)
earned her Ph.D. from McGill University in the Department of Administration and
Policy Studies in education. She has taught in Canada and the United States in the
fields of Education, Women's Studies and Canadian Studies. Her research areas are
critical feminist pedagogy, popular culture, educational equity, multiculturalism,
and law. She is an associate professor in the curriculum & instruction graduate
program in the School of Education.
Suzanne E. D'Amato, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Suzanne E. D'Amato (sdamato@medaille.edu)
provides the "Medaille Advantage" through extensive service to the college
and direct application of her research findings to her first love, teaching. She
has earned a bachelor's and master's of science in elementary education and human
relations from State University of New York at Buffalo and a master of science in
educational administration and supervision from Canisius College. Dr. D'Amato earned
her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Buffalo in 1994.
Dr. D'Amato's professional affiliations include the New York State Association for
Computers and Technologies Education, the National Council of Teachers of English,
Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education in New York State, Inc. (AGATE), and
the International Reading Association. Working with pre-service teachers is both
her vocation and her avocation.
Salvatore D'Amato, M.S.Ed.
Visiting Instructor
Salvatore D'Amato (sfdamato@medaille.edu)
joined the Education Department in 2004, having previously taught at Canisius College.
He is a member of the executive board of the Western New York Writing Project, for
which he develops and facilitates professional development workshops for teachers.
D'Amato holds a B.F.A. in theater from Niagara University and an M.S. in Secondary
Education and an M.S. in educational administration from Canisius College. He is
currently earning an Ed.D. in educational leadership at D'Youville College. D'Amato
enjoys performing with a local band, going to concerts, boating, and playing with
his Jack Russell terrier.
Susan Dunkle, M.S.Ed.
Visiting Instructor
Susan Dunkle, a visiting instructor in the Education Department, has taught at Medaille College since 2006. She instructs undergraduate and graduate students in math, science, and technology methods of education, foundations of education and children's literature. She is the Team Leader for Children's Literature and serves on the Early Childhood Education Committee. She taught previously for D'Youville College's Education Department and Canisius College in the Department of Military Science. As a former military officer, she has extensive experience in leadership, team building, and professional development. Her affiliations include OAME, NSTA, NCTM, and serves on the Board of Managers for the Lancaster YMCA. She is presently engaged in research for her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at D'Youville College. Her research focuses on Remediation of Math Anxiety in Pre-Service School Teachers.
Jeffrey A. Faunce, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jeffrey Faunce is an Assistant Professor at Medaille College teaching various courses including Social Studies, ELA and Arts Methods, Foundations of Education, The Core of Education, The Teacher as Researcher, and others. He also supervises student teachers in elementary schools throughout the area. Before coming to Medaille, Dr. Faunce was a full-time instructor at Canisius College and an adjunct professor at Daemen College (in the Canadian Scholars Program) and at D'Youville College. Prior to teaching at the post-secondary level, Dr. Faunce was a middle school building principal, a middle school and high school assistant principal and a 10-year public school teacher. He enjoys music, reading, golf, running and most of all spending time with his wonderful children.
Julie Gorlewski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and
Program Director for MSED Adolescent Education
Dr. Julie Gorlewski is an assistant
professor and Program Director for Adolescent Education in the School of Education.
She earned her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in the sociology
of education in 2008. Dr. Gorlewski has New York State certification in two areas:
elementary (N-6) and secondary English (7-12). She has experience teaching all levels
of high school English and has developed lessons and assessments to improve literacy
for students ranging from pre-kindergarten through adult. Additional areas
of expertise involve instructional technology, academic intervention, high stakes
assessments, and teaching English as a second language. Dr. Gorlewski has presented
at numerous national conferences and is a regular contributor to The English Journal,
a publication of the National Council of Teachers of English. Research interests
involve using critical ethnography to examine the interrelations among literacy,
resistance, social class, and schooling.
Felecia Hanesworth, M.S.Ed.
Visiting Instructor
Felecia Hanesworth (fhanesworth@medaille.edu)
has been teaching at Medaille College since 2003 and became a full-time instructor
in 2006. She earned her master's degree from Medaille College in curriculum and
design and is also a graduate of State University of New York at Buffalo, earning
a B.S. in communicative disorders and sciences. She holds a permanent certification
as a teacher of the speech and hearing impaired and has been working as a speech
therapist for 14 years. Ms. Hanesworth has taught various courses within the School
of Education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and also works as a supervisor
for student teachers. Within the framework of the classroom, her students are strongly
encouraged to develop their critical thinking skills, communication, citizenship
and consciousness of diversity among many other qualities, to become successful
educators.
Patricia K. Heffernan, Ed.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Dr. Patricia K. Heffernan
(pkh25@medaille.edu) is a Visiting Assistant
Professor at Medaille College teaching graduate students on both the Amherst and
Buffalo campuses. She has 35 years of experience in the field of education. Prior
to coming to Medaille, she held various administrative positions including principal,
vice principal, coordinating administrator of special education and curriculum coordinator
in addition to teaching. Her experience is in public urban and private schooling
at both elementary and secondary levels. Also, she spent many years in the field
of education of the deaf.
Dr. Heffernan earned her doctorate in curriculum planning and instruction at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Additionally she holds degrees in deaf education and administration. Previously she taught as an adjunct professor at several colleges and recently she taught full time in Rochester. She has written a number of articles, given numerous presentations and served in various state and national capacities.
Kelly Hutchinson, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Dr. Kelly Hutchinson is an assistant
professor in the School of Education. She earned her Ph.D. from Purdue University
in 2009 in chemistry with specialization in chemistry education.
Dr. Hutchinson earned her B.S. in Chemistry and New York State adolescent (7-12) education certification in Chemistry from Nazareth College of Rochester in 2004. Her dissertation research focused on middle- and high-school science teachers’ incorporation of nanoscale science and engineering (NSE) concepts into secondary science classrooms following a professional development program. This research required her to work closely with chemistry, physics, and biology teachers as they prepared, taught, and reflected upon their NSE lessons.
Dr. Hutchinson was also heavily involved with a team running a NSE professional
development program for middle- and high-school science teachers. She has been able
to instruct learners at many different levels ranging from middle-school students
to undergraduate chemistry students to middle- and high-school science teachers.
Dr. Hutchinson has presented papers at many national conferences including NARST,
NSTA, ACS, BCCE, and ASEE.
Sharon Kulhanek, Ed.D.
Professor
Dr. Sharon Kulhanek (skulhanek@medaille.edu)
has taught at Medaille since 1973, with previous experience as an elementary school
teacher. She earned her master's and doctoral degrees from the State University
of New York at Albany. Her primary teaching focus has been on reading and literacy,
specifically in children's literacy. Dr. Kulhanek also enjoys needlework, reading
and travel.
Belete Mebratu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Belete Mebratu (bmebratu@medaille.edu)
has taught in the Education Department since 2004. Mebratu earned a Ph.D. in elementary
education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, with previous studies
and teaching experience at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. Mebratu's courses
include curriculum studies, educational research, and transitions from education's
roots to the present. These courses draw from Mebratu's publications and presentations
on early childhood education and international educational systems.
Carol O'Connor, M.S.Ed.
Clinical Instructor
Carol O'Connor (coconnor@medaille.edu)
has taught at Medaille in the Education Department since 2004. Prior to this, she
was an elementary education teacher in Cheektowaga, with experience in every grade
level from K-6. O'Connor supervised student teachers and junior participants as
a public school teacher, and now instructs student teaching and field experience
courses, among others. She was involved in instruction programs for enrichment students
and learning disabled students, and emphasized computer literacy in the classroom
with integration in all subject areas.
Donald O'Connor, M.S.Ed.
Clinical Instructor
Donald O'Connor (doconnor@medaille.edu)
has taught in the Education Department at Medaille since 2004. Prior to this, he
instructed grades 4-6 in the Cheektowaga Central School District. Throughout that
time, he continually attended workshops, conferences and in-service training, focusing
on curriculum and New York state standards for science and mathematics. O'Connor
has experience teaching in self-contained classrooms and as part of a two-, three-,
four- and departmentalized team. He teaches courses in mathematics methods and math,
science and technology.
Henry George Peters, M.S.
Visiting Assistant Professor and
Program Director for MSED in Special Education
Henry George Peters began teaching in Medaille's
education department in 2007. He earned an M.S. in educational administration from
Niagara University, and has administrative experience in the North Tonawanda, Grand
Island, Williamsville, Honeoye Falls-Lima and Rush-Henrietta school districts.
Peters is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the School Administrators Association of New York State, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Association of Special Education Administrators, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the New York State Association of Pupil Service Administrators.
Peters has presented at over 100 professional conferences, has served as a consultant to public schools and public agencies on education topics, and has served as an advocate for families of handicapped children.
Peters is currently a town justice in the Town of Cambria, a volunteer for the Food Shuttle, and portrays historical characters through the Niagara County Historical Society.
Mary Beth Scumaci, M.S.Ed.
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Academic Technology Coordinator,
Assessment Coordinator for the School of Education,
Program Director for MSED Elementary Education
Mary Beth Scumaci (mscumaci@medaille.edu)
became a full-time instructor at Medaille College in 2005. She is a Clinical Assistant
Professor, Academic Program Director for the Canadian Education Program, and Technology
Coordinator for the School of Education. Scumaci holds a BS Ed and MS Ed. from the
State University College at Geneseo. She holds New York State permanent certification
to teach Nursery School – Grade 6, has an endorsement in Early Childhood Education,
a minor in psychology and a specialization in advanced teaching. She designs, implements,
and teaches online courses for the School of Education. She teaches in the traditional
and virtual classrooms, and supervises students during fieldwork and student teaching.
One of her favorite roles is serving as the advisor for the
Education Graduate Student Society (EGSS).
Jane Scura, Ed.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Dr. Jane Scura (jfs57@medaille.edu)
is a visiting assistant professor at Medaille College, teaching courses in Developmental
Literacy, Literacy Assessment and Early Field Experience. She received her B.S.
from Mercyhurst College in general education and special education, an M.S. from
Nazareth College in special education, a C.A.S. in administration from SUNY Brockport
and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Southeastern Nova University.
After dedicating 31 years of service to the students and families in the inner city schools of the Rochester City School District, she came to Medaille College to further her work in teacher development. While with the Rochester City School District, she served as a special education teacher, director of two preschools, principal of three elementary schools and lead principal. Dr. Scura provided teacher training in several areas including literacy, classroom environment and working with parents as well as leadership training for administrators. She also served as an adjunct professor at SUNY Geneseo. Believing that the optimum working environment is within a community of learners, the leap to higher education with Medaille College has proven to be a positive experience within her new learning community. She feels that her work in public education allows for the opportunity to not only coach future teachers, but also share experiences to enrich their understanding of the world of education and to promote student academic and life-long success.
Susan Sprague, M.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Susan Sprague (ssprague@medaille.edu)
is a graduate of Buffalo State College with a B.S. in elementary education and a
concentration in early childhood. She holds a permanent New York State certification
in nursery, kindergarten, & grades 1 - 6. She obtained her master's degree from
Canisius College in the Literacy Program. After graduating from Buffalo State, she
taught fourth grade at Fourteen Holy Helpers School in West Seneca for ten years.
She then moved on to teach at Medaille College, specializing in the areas of Literacy
and Methods. Some of her hobbies include dancing (tap ,jazz, & ballet) exercising,
and reading. She enjoys spending time with her daughter.
Sprague serves as the faculty advisory for the Education Graduate Student Society (EGSS) and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
Eileen St. John, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Eileen St. John earned her Ed.D.
at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is also a Research Associate working
to implement the MP3 project, “Monitoring Progress of Pennsylvania Pupils.”
St. John also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
She has also served as Math Assessment Project Coordinator at Pittsburgh and has
presented numerous papers on literacy and math education. She has also taught extensively
over the last twenty years, both in K-12 and collegiate settings. Her dissertation
is entitled “Cognitive Tutoring Systems”: A case-study of the use of
an audio support system and its effects on the problem solving abilities of struggling
readers. Her statement of teaching philosophy emphasizes her commitment
”to prepare students academically, professionally and socially for the impact
that they will have on future generations.”
Virginia Stolarski, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Virginia S. Stolarski (vss32@medaille.edu)
has more than twenty years of state, national and international experience at various
levels of education, including teaching and middle-level leadership positions in
P-12 education and higher education. She is recognized in the field of special education
as a national expert and leader in the area of blindness and visual impairments
and multiple handicapping conditions. Dr. Stolarski has taught a multitude of online
courses, co-taught extensively, and taught in and directed a program delivered in
a non-traditional format. She actively provides educational programmatic consultation
for learners with disabilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. In her
free time, she enjoys tennis, golf, gardening and doing crafts with her daughter.
Marcia Swiatek, M.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Marcia Swiatek (mswiatek@medaille.edu)
is a clinical assistant professor who joined the Education Department as a full
time faculty member in 2000, having previously taught as an adjunct professor at
Medaille, Canisius and Buffalo State. She earned her B.S., M.S. and certificate
of advanced study (C.A.S.) in education at Buffalo State College. She teaches both
graduate and undergraduate education courses and supervises student teachers. Prior
to teaching at Medaille, she was an elementary education teacher in the Lancaster
Central School District, with many years of experience in both the primary and intermediate
grades and is permanently certified to teach grades 1-6 in New York State. She supervised
student teachers and junior participants as a public school teacher and was very
involved at the building and district levels while acting for many years as the
teacher-in-charge of the building in the absence of the building administrator.
Her research and teaching interests include action research, teacher induction, staff development and learning styles. In addition to serving on the Faculty Development Committee at Medaille, she is co-chair of the Mentoring Committee. Marcia is a professional member on both the state and national levels of the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE), is a past president of the state unit, past chair of the National Credentials Committee and served on the National 2006 Planning Committee, and has accepted an appointment by the current National President-Elect to serve on the Summer 2008 Planning Committee. She is also an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma International- Alpha Lambda Chapter, which is an educational organization of key women educators. She serves currently as the President of the Alpha Lambda Chapter and is the State Communications Chair and has been nominated for the position of Secretary of Pi (New York) State.
Jim Thompson, M.S., C.A.S.
Visiting Assistant Professor
James R. Thompson began teaching
in Medaille's Education department in 2007. He earned his M.S. at SUNY New Paltz,
a C.A.S. at SUNY Oswego, and is permanently certified by New York for teaching elementary
and secondary students, and as a school district administrator.
Prior to coming to Medaille, Thompson was the principal of Wolcott St. School in LeRoy for twenty years. He worked for the Liverpool Central School District as a social studies and reading teacher, and as assistant principal. Thompson has also taught graduate courses in SUNY Brockport's Educational Administration program.
As an educator for the past 35 years, Thompson tries to “do what is best for kids each and every day.” Thompson was the New York State Elementary Principal of the Year in 1993, and was a National Distinguished Principal in 1994.
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