School of Education Faculty
Full-time Faculty
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Suzanne DeLaCruz, EdDAssistant Professor of Education BA, Valparaiso University MA, University of Illinois EdD, Loyola University Dr. DeLaCruz joins Trinity after thirty years serving as an educator in urban, suburban, and rural public schools: fifteen years as a middle and high school reading and language arts teacher and fifteen years as an elementary and middle school principal. Her main academic interests revolve around curriculum and instruction issues, particularly in the areas of literacy development and best practices, and organizational leadership. |
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Carol Kennett, PhDProfessor of Education Dr. Kennett has taught at all levels, from early childhood to graduate education. An educational anthropologist, she spent several years looking at the development of trust relationships in inner-city schools. Currently, she is studying the role of university-school partnerships in teacher education. Her primary interests include intercultural communication and diversity issues. She is an active member of the Council on Anthropology in Education and the American Educational Research Association. |
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Melissa Lowrance, MEdVisiting Assistant Professor of Education BS, Greenville College Professor Lowrance taught in the Grayslake, Ill., area public schools for more than eleven years as an elementary classroom teacher, a Technology Facilitator (K-4), and an Information Specialist (K-4). She received comprehensive technology training from ISBE as a recipient of the statewide Museum in the Classroom Grant. Professor Lowrance also cowrote and implemented the districts Information Literacy Curriculum. Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member, Professor Lowrance taught as adjunct faculty for Trinity Graduate School's MA/T program. Her current interests are helping teachers integrate technology into their curriculum and instruction and preparing students and teachers with twenty-first century skills. |
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Laurie Matthias, EdDAssistant Professor of Education BS, Bob Jones University MEd, EdD, Regent University Dr. Matthias brings to Trinity International University a passion for teaching, scholarship, and missions. She spent more than twenty years teaching middle and high school English and drama in Christian schools and the last nine years teaching classes in the Master Teacher Program at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As the culmination of her EdD at Regent, her dissertation focused on professors who exemplify the integration of faith and learning at Wheaton College. She plans to continue her research on this important area of higher education. Her interests also include international partnerships with Christian colleges and universities in the global south, particularly on the continent of Africa. |
Karen Rogers, EdDVisiting Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Rogers joins the staff at Trinity after more than thirty years of experience serving as an English/communications teacher and later as division head of English/Fine Arts, associate principal, and principal in Township High School District 214. During this time she acted as coordinator for the Cooperative Teacher Education Program, a student teaching partnership with the University of Illinois. Her dissertation explored the dynamics of reciprocal empowerment as applied to administrators and teachers in the high school setting. Areas of primary academic and research interest include organizational structure, leadership, and school improvement. |
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Phyllis Smith, MAAssistant Professor of Education Prior to coming to Trinity, Professor Smith spent more than thirty years at the elementary and middle school levels as a teacher, mentor, and designated administrator. In addition to her teaching, she has served as a middle school and high school youth director and as a vocalist in a touring gospel group. She is a member of the National Alliance of Black School Educators and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Her areas of interest include brain-based learning, musical multiple intelligence, and diversity issues. |
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Peter Wright, EdDAssistant Professor of Education BA, Trinity College MSEd, Northern Illinois University MSEd, EdD, National College of Education EdD, National Louis University Following graduation from Trinity College, Dr. Wright enjoyed working for thirty-two years in the public schools of Waukegan, Illinois, and Vernon Hills, Illinois, as an elementary classroom teacher, school psychologist (K-12), special education coordinator, and IEP database supervisor. Prior to becoming a full time faculty member, he taught at National-Louis University and at TIU in the College, Graduate School, and REACH program as adjunct faculty. His dissertation was based on a ten-month family journey around the United States studying the impact of family dynamics on living and learning, how personal learner characteristics influence the teaching/learning process, and the influence of experiential education. His interests include working within educational systems to encourage positive change for all students, helping understand and teach exceptional students, brain-based learning, and the application of educational psychology to increase learning for all students. |
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Karen Wrobbel, EdDAssociate Professor of Education Prior to joining the TIU faculty, Dr. Wrobbel ministered for twenty-two years as a missionary educator with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM). She taught both elementary and secondary students at schools in Spain and Venezuela and was Assistant Head of the Evangelical Christian Academy for eight of those years. She also served as TEAM’s worldwide children’s education coordinator and continues to provide educational consultant services to mission agencies. |
Emeritus Faculty
Bristol, Stanley T.
Professor Emeritus of Education
Adjunct Faculty
Part-time (adjunct) faculty enhance candidate learning in the classroom and field experience. Most are active K-12 practitioners.
| Charlie Bilodeau, retired HS biology teacher | Judith Mobile, teacher of gifted students |
| Debra Brackley, educational consultant |
Peg Moneypenny, consultant in children's literature |
| Virginia Glass, district technology coordinator |
Julie Riddick, MS teacher & language arts dept chair |
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Faye Hansen, MS technology teacher |
Todd Sikora, HS math teacher |
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Daniel Larsen, HS history/social science teacher |
James Silasiri, MS social studies teacher |
| Alan Molby, district superintendent | Kim Woodward, MS physical education teacher |
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Elizabeth Burgess, elementary math & science teacher |
