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Department of Education

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The mission of the Education Department is (1) to prepare reflective, responsive professional educators with evidence-based teaching skills and strategies to support P-12 students in their learning and development in a global community, and (2) to advocate for best practices for all students in diverse educational environments.

The Education Department is committed to:

  • Building knowledge upon candidates' experience, which leads to learner-centered practice
  • Instilling an appreciation of individuality and multiculturalism within a national and global context
  • Creating and adapting general education environments for all learners, including those with exceptionalities
  • Developing open-minded, reflective problem solvers who are lifelong learners
  • Promoting student-centered, teacher-facilitated instruction and authentic assessment that integrate traditional and technology-enhanced approaches
  • Advocating for children
  • Fostering family and community involvement
All the certification programs at Eastern prepare our teacher candidates to understand and implement the Connecticut Common Core of Teaching (CCCT).
Chair
Dr. Mark Fabrizi
Webb Hall, Rm.129
(860) 465-0659
(860) 465-5099
fabrizim@easternct.edu		 Associate Chair
Dr. Xing Liu
Webb Hall, Rm. 153
(860) 465-5167
(860) 465-5099
liux@easternct.edu
Secretary II
Dana Drouin
Webb Hall, Rm. 124
(860) 465-4530
(860) 465-5099
drouind@easternct.edu		 CAEP Accredited Provider

* During Summer/Winter, please contact the department chair/associate chair with any questions
Pre-Early Childhood Education
Dr. Theresa Bouley
(860) 465-0069
bouleyt@easternct.edu		 Pre-Elementary Education
Dr. Susannah Richards
(860) 465-5210
richardss@easternct.edu
Pre-Secondary Math
Dr. Sudha Swaminathan
(860) 465-4535
swaminathans@easternct.edu		 Pre-Secondary Science
Dr. Laura Rodriguez
(860) 465-4372
rodriguezlau@easternct.edu
Pre-Secondary History / Social Studies
Dr. David Stoloff
(860) 465-5501
stoloffd@easternct.edu		 Pre-Secondary English
Dr. Mark Fabrizi
(860) 465-0659
fabrizim@easternct.edu
Physical Education Advisor
Dr. Darren Robert
(860) 465-5184
robertd@easternct.edu		  
Coordinator for Educational and Clinical Experience
Mary-Grace Shifrin
Webb Hall, Rm. 144
(860) 465-0111
(860) 465-5099
shifrinm@easternct.edu
student presenting a child's book in front of a class of peers
professor in front of a classroom of college students explaining how to integrate picture books into a lesson
professor seated on the back of a chair speaking with the class
student teacher seated on the floor with preschool children engaged in circle time reading

Faculty Spotlights

David L. Stoloff

Professor – Educational Technology and the Social Foundations of Education

“I believe that learners should manage and own their own learning and should find meaning in what they study.” Read More

David L. Stoloff

Sudha Swaminathan

Professor and Director, Center for Early Childhood Education

“Seeing my students comfortable and confident in talking about their research, showcasing their capacity for reasoning and critical thinking, never fails to inspire and impress me. Those are the best moments.” Read More

Sudha Swaminathan

Mark A. Fabrizi

Professor and Department Chair

“Teaching should be purposeful and valuable to both the individual and society. I am strongly influenced by the pedagogical beliefs of Paulo Freire and John Dewey.” Read More

Mark A. Fabrizi

Tanya Moorehead

Associate Professor

“We have a campus environment where everyone is learning, open to conversations. I can even invite President Núñez to speak to my class.” Read More

Tanya Moorehead

Laura Rodriguez

Associate Professor

“Nurturing relationships is a combination of demonstrating care and respect for your students with explicit teaching of interactional norms and communicating high expectations.” Read More

Laura Rodriguez

Kwangwon Lee

Associate Professor

“Through my course in Play and Development, I get the opportunity to see our candidates begin the journey of developing their teaching philosophy and competencies.” Read More

Kwangwon Lee

In the News

Kyle Lukoff at educational lecture

Award-winning children’s author shares insights with education students

 March 31, 2025

Eastern welcomed acclaimed children’s author Kyle Lukoff to an educational lecture, Q&A session, and book signing on March 25. The event, attended by more than 40 students, faculty, and community members, highlighted Lukoff’s award-winning works and provided insights into their use as educational resources for youth.

Chapman with check (photo credit: Milken Family Foundation)

Alumna Jessica Chapman ’11 wins prestigious Milken Educator Award

 December 12, 2024

Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Jessica Chapman ’11, a history and social studies teacher at Norwich Free Academy (NFA), was recently surprised with one of the nation’s top educational awards. Chapman was named one of 45 recipients of this year’s Milken Educator Award (MEA) at a schoolwide assembly on Nov. 12. The award comes with a $25,000 cash prize.

Winsome Bingham holding the book "The Table"

Literacy event unites authors, families, teachers in love of reading

 September 24, 2024

Children and families filled Eastern’s Child and Family Development Resource Center on Sept. 17 for a childhood literacy event titled “Read a Book, Love a Book: Developing Literacy.” Award-winning authors and illustrators Winsome Bingham, Kyle Lukoff, Barbara McClintock and Juana Martinez-Neal presented their books and emphasized the importance of childhood literacy.

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Eastern’s teacher preparation program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

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Programs of Study

  • Eastern graduates the greatest number of Early Childhood majors in Connecticut. Early Childhood students become communities of learners as they prepare to become future teachers in a cohort model. Faculty members and teacher candidates are active participants in the nationally renowned Center for Early Childhood Education and the nationally accredited model preschool Child and Family Development Resource Center, and as partners in regional schools throughout eastern Connecticut. Teaching candidates spend more than 600 hours in classrooms. Additional teaching endorsements available in special ed, health, music, art and world languages. Graduates can earn their advanced master’s degree in Education at Eastern with one additional year of study.

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  • Recognized by Colleges of Distinction, Eastern’s Elementary Education program prepares teachers to be educational leaders at many National Blue Ribbon Schools. Teacher candidates gain competence in pedagogy; academic content areas; educational technology; and knowledge integration, while demonstrating how to create learning environments to support student diversity. Eastern’s program includes liberal art core electives, a dual major in a subject area, and hands-on student teaching experiences. Candidates spend more than 600 hours in classrooms. Additional teaching endorsements available in special ed, health, music, art and world languages. Graduates can earn their advanced master’s degree in Education at Eastern with one additional year of study.

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  • The Liberal Studies major at Eastern is offered exclusively to students who are preparing to become elementary or early childhood educators. Students may complete the undergraduate education program or enroll in the Early Start master’s degree program to earn their certification. The program offers concentrations in the Natural Sciences, History/Social Sciences, English, Mathematics and Environmental Earth Sciences to prepare students for certification as early childhood or elementary teachers and develop in-depth expertise in a single subject.

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  • The Physical Education major is designed for students who have a love of physical education and a special interest in working in sport and exercise activities. The program provides excellent preparation for careers in school physical education programs and other related agencies such as YMCAs, YWCAs, boys and girls clubs, and city or town public and private recreation programs and clubs. The major emphasizes studies in exercise science, instructional philosophy, and pedagogical analysis and techniques. The hallmark of this distinctive program is extensive clinical field experiences in public schools and professional agencies. A Physical Education minor is available to non-PE majors.

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  • Candidates preparing for teaching careers in grades 4-12 take a major in five subject areas, in addition to the Secondary Education Certification concentration. Applicable subjects include English, Mathematics, Environmental Earth Science, History/Social Studies and Biology. Teacher candidates gain skills in content pedagogy, cultural competence, data literacy, educational technology and in differentiating for diverse learners.

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