Alum Receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

by Rachel Berger
January 31
When you're the first person in your family to graduate college, you never imagine you'll one day be recognized among leading scientists, receiving the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Yet, earlier this month, Melanie Pellecchia, EDU '07, '13, found herself in that very position, receiving the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.  The Philadelphia native earned her master's in applied behavior analysis and her PhD in school psychology at Temple University. She was...

Reimagining Science Teaching Through Experiential Learning

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
January 28
For Carol Brandt, associate professor of science education in the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University, science is not just a subject confined to textbooks or laboratories—it's an integral part of everyday life, waiting to be discovered in family homes, museums, parks, gardens and even city streets."The world outside the classroom is an exciting resource," Brandt explains.Her career has been dedicated to reshaping how science is taught and learned, focusing on hands-on, experiential, community-driven and socially relevant approaches that inspire...

From Justice to Joy: Erick Smith Finds His Calling in the Classroom

by Polina Krilyk
January 27
Erick Smith has always dreamed of becoming a teacher. His path to the classroom has been anything but linear, weaving through years of life-changing experiences and a career in criminal justice and residential care. Today, he has found his way back to education through the School District of Philadelphia and the Temple University's Teacher Residency Program (TTR). Erick is now pursuing his lifelong ambition while redefining the role of an educator in urban schools. When Smith joined the autistic support classroom at Solomon Solis Cohen School as a teacher assistant, his dream...

Breaking Barriers, Building Dreams: Sanaa White’s Path to Inspiring Change in Education

by Polina Krilyk
January 24
Sanaa White's journey to becoming an educator is shaped by her unique experiences and driven by a passion for meaningful change. Growing up attending a boarding school and now navigating life as a first-generation college student, she has experienced firsthand the transformative power of education. White believes every child deserves the chance to dream, grow and succeed. Her story is one of resilience, breaking barriers and finding joy in the art of teaching—a journey as inspiring as the lessons she shares. Before attending Temple University, White was a student at...

Internship provides transformative experience for school psychologist-in-training

by Rachel Berger
January 24
From the city of Philadelphia to nearby suburbs in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Emily Duddy is embracing a wide range of experiential learning opportunities while pursuing her educational specialist degree in school psychology at Temple University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).The Harleysville native arrived at Temple's Main Campus in North Philadelphia in fall 2022, after graduating from Penn State that spring. She says she chose Temple because of the school psychology program's commitment to clinical training experiences, along with its social...

From Temple to the World: Lasse Grimmer's Vision for Education and Democracy

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
January 02
Lasse Grimmer, EDU '21, has carved a path defined by resilience, intellectual curiosity and an enduring commitment to making a difference. A former student-athlete and international scholar in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University, Grimmer's journey showcases how education and athletics can intersect to foster personal growth and global impact. Grimmer first picked up rowing in 2010. With hard work and dedication, he quickly excelled as a competitive rower and eventually represented Germany at the Junior World Championships. After high...

Alumni Spotlight: Amberly Caballero

by Rachel Berger
December 20
Amberly Caballero earned her MSEd in applied behavior analysis from Temple University's College of Education, now the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), in 2009. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with her for an inspirational conversation, where she shared her deep passion and commitment to her work and her appreciation for the CEHD in shaping her life.What drew you to Temple's College of Education and Human Development for your graduate studies?Temple's program was the only one that really sparked my heart. I've worked in Autism care for 22 years,...

Acres of Diamonds Lecture Series Brings Nationally Recognized Leaders to Campus

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
December 18
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and thought leadership through the Acres of Diamonds Lecture Series. This series honors the charge of Temple's founder, Russell Conwell, who emphasized discovering the "acres of diamonds" in our backyard, connecting the CEHD community with prominent voices addressing critical issues in education today. In 2024, CEHD welcomed two nationally recognized leaders: Deborah Ball and Royel Johnson. Deborah Ball, professor and former dean at the University of Michigan, is renowned...

Celebrating 50 Years: An Evolution from Service to Self-Determination at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University

by Elisabeth Joyce
December 18
This year, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, a milestone that signifies half a century of transformative work in advocating for the rights and self-determination of people with disabilities.  The Institute on Disabilities, located within the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University, is one of the 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This...

Molly Siuty: Highlighting Inclusion and Intersectionality

by Christine An
December 16
Molly Siuty is an associate professor of special education and disability justice at Temple University's College of Education and Human Development and an affiliate of the Institute on Disabilities. Drawing from her experiences as a special education teacher and scholar, Siuty brings a unique lens to social justice in education, advocating for systemic change and community-centered approaches.The Classroom as a Mirror of Systemic InequitySiuty's journey began in New York City, where she taught in the Bronx and Harlem in various educational environments. It was here that she...

Linn Posey-Maddox: Bridging Research, Community and Equity in Education

by Christine An
December 12
Linn Posey-Maddox, a professor of urban education in the Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies, has dedicated her career to exploring and addressing the intersections of race, class, geography and education. Her teaching and research focus on how these factors shape access, equity and community engagement in urban educational contexts. A scholar and advocate for change, Posey-Maddox blends research with a deep commitment to building collaborative relationships that inspire learning and action.Growing up in a multiracial family across suburban, rural and...

Building Inclusive Classrooms: How Temple University Is Preparing Jefferson Fox for a Life of Impact

by Polina Krilyk
December 09
Meet Jefferson Fox, a driven and compassionate student at Temple University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Growing up in a family of educators and having a strong personal connection to special education, Jefferson has developed a unique perspective on teaching, advocacy and the transformative role of education. Follow along as he shares his Temple experience and future goals as a pre-service special education teacher. Where are you from and what led you to Temple University?I grew up about an hour north of Temple University, so I was always familiar with...

Empowering Student-Athletes Through Community Collaboration

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
November 27
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is strengthening its commitment to impactful community partnerships through a dynamic initiative with Temple University's football team and Paul L. Dunbar School in North Philadelphia.  Spearheaded by Meghan Raisch, assistant professor of instruction the initiative brings together education, athletics and local partners to inspire and uplift students at Dunbar, a community school serving kindergarten through eighth grade. Many Temple football players involved are CEHD students enrolled in the Adult Learning, Training and...

Building Bridges and Transforming Communities: Dean Shealey’s Vision for CEHD

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
November 27
"What we do in North Philadelphia matters." This powerful declaration by Dean Monika Williams Shealey embodies the mission of Temple University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Since stepping into her role as dean over a year ago, Shealey has tirelessly worked to strengthen the college's connection to its community while positioning it as a global leader in education. Reflecting on the start of her tenure, Shealey shared, "Our work at Temple CEHD is to remain laser-focused on our mission, partnering with communities to create educational opportunities and...

Wanda Lewis-Campbell’s Transformative Impact on Education and Community

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
November 26
Wanda Lewis-Campbell's career in student affairs spanned almost four decades, marked by a deep commitment to student success, community engagement and mentorship. With 26 of those years spent at Temple University, including 22 years at the Ambler campus, she spearheaded innovative programs and initiatives that supported students and fostered a sense of belonging. Her work, driven by a passion for higher education and service, has made an indelible impact on Temple and its many students. Since her retirement in 2018, she continues to be a servant leader, giving back and making a...

Alumni Spotlight: School Psychologist Shannon Ryan Takes Community-Driven Approach to Research and Practice

by Rachel Berger
November 25
"I was someone who always knew I wanted to work with kids," says Shannon Ryan. She had her eyes set on something a little outside the box, not in a classroom setting, and not even necessarily in a school setting.  Ryan remembers, during her high school years, being drawn to child-focused work. She received her first exposure to school psychology as an academic area of focus while studying under a professor as an undergraduate student exploring the predictive validity of early literacy screeners to long-term reading outcomes. This passion for research and clinical work was then...

Fostering Community Engagement: CEHD Faculty Sabbaticals

by Christine An
November 21
Faculty sabbaticals provide academic scholars with a unique opportunity to engage with diverse communities, contribute to the social good/make a social impact, advance research and further their professional growth. At Temple University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), a commitment to empowering diverse communities is reflected in the impactful work of its faculty. Building on a long history of faculty sabbaticals focused on community engagement, the sabbatical experiences of Avi Kaplan and Christine Woyshner exemplify how faculty engage in innovative...

Celebrating 20 Years of Jumpstart at Temple University: Transforming Lives Through Literacy and Community Engagement

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
November 19
This year, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University celebrated the 20th anniversary of its partnership with Jumpstart, a national early childhood organization dedicated to ensuring every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed. The milestone was first celebrated at this year's annual Read for the Record event, where the university's community came together to inspire a love of reading among young learners in neighboring schools. Jumpstart is a national movement supporting preschool children in under-resourced communities to achieve academic...

When it All Adds Up: A Life of Learning

by Kirsten N. Halker-Kratz
November 14
Dennis Skehan, EDU '76, first learned about Temple University during his sophomore year at Holy Cross College. The draft took Skehan out of school, but after military service, Skehan remembered that the Temple Intern Teaching Program offered full-time employment and the opportunity to earn a master's degree in education. He enjoyed a vibrant and varied career, holding teaching positions in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. His first teaching experience was as an elementary school substitute teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts. He taught math at Lenape High School...