Ellen Spencer, Ed.D.
MAE Program Director
Educational Background
Teaching Endorsement
Special Education/Strategist I Endorsement
Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa
August 2016
Doctor of Education
Curriculum and Instruction
Northcentral University
Prescott, AZ
July 2015
Master of Arts in Education
Educational Leadership
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
July 2004
Bachelor of Arts in Education
Elementary Education with Spanish Endorsement
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
May 1996
Bachelor of Arts in Business
Marketing and Management
Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa
1992
Teaching Philosophy
I want to honor each student right where they are and help them move forward in their development as a person. One way I do this is through discovery. Learning through discovery is the essence of meaningful retention and understanding of any concept.
‘Teach without seeming to teach.’ ~ Mary Frances Clarke
Profile
Professional Background
Prior to my career in higher education I taught grades 3rd through 8th in both Iowa and Florida.
Research Interests
Special Education: Autism, behavior, and mental health
Courses Taught
- EDSP 200: Foundations of Special Education
- EDSP 301: Strategic Academic Learning
- EDSP 400: Spec Education Practicum
- EDSP 401: Prevention and Remediation of Challenging Behaviors
- EDSP 402: Collaborative Solutions
Certifications and Memberships
- AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education)
- ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)
- ASTE (Association for Science Teacher Education)
- CEC (Counsel for Exceptional Children)
- IACTE (Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Education)
- ISMTE (Iowa Science and Mathematics Teacher Educators)
- NAPDS (National Association for Professional Development Schools)
- NCEA (National Catholic Education Association)
- NSTA (National Science and Technology Association)