SearchDebra Ponec, Ed.D., NCC, Chair
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Debra L. Ponec earned her doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a focus in foundations of education and school counseling. She possesses masters degrees in Elementary School Counseling (Creighton University) and Special Education - Learning Disabilities (University of Nebraska - Omaha.) Prior to coming to Creighton, Dr. Ponec taught special education classes for Omaha Public Schools and was an elementary school counselor within the Archdiocese of Omaha.
Dr. Ponec currently teaches graduate-level courses in Counselor Education and the foundations course within the initial professional sequence in teacher education. Her research interests include guidance and counseling curriculum for public/private schools and program evaluation, building professional relationships within school communities, and integrating immigrant students and their families within school communities. Dr. Ponec is co-author of Growing in Love: a Guidance and Counseling Curriculum for Catholic Elementary Schools which was published by the National Catholic Education Association. She recently completed an immersion project providing insight to schools for the integration of immigrant students and their families. Dr. Ponec is available for speeches, presentations, workshops, or school consulting related to guidance and counseling curriculum and programs and for designing curriculum and/or experiences for integrating all students within the school community.
Dr. Ponec can be reached at dlponec@creighton.edu .
2/2012
Lynne E. Houtz, Ph.D. Associate Chair
University of Nebraska
LincolnProfessor of Education
Lynne Houtz did undergraduate study at the College of Saint Teresa, University of Nebraska, and earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Kent State University in 1971. Her 23-year public school teaching career includes grades 4,5,6,7,8 in Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska. She was simultaneously a perpetual student, doing graduate study at Kent State, the Ohio State University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Iowa, and Purdue University. Lynne accumulated additional teaching endorsements in Music, Middle Level, Social Sciences, and Science. In 1985 she earned a Masters in Elementary Science Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and in 1992, her PhD in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction in Science and Math Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She served as the Science Supervisor for Omaha Public Schools prior to entering academia. Lynne taught science and math education courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wayne State College, Nebraska Wesleyan University and is now Professor of Science and Mathematics Education at Creighton University.
Dr. Houtz's research and application works related to improving science education for all have been shared at national and international venues, including Brazil, Prague, Athens, Paris and Italy. Publication venues include the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Journal of Elementary Science Education, Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, Science and Children, Science Scope, Science Education Review, Journal of the National Medical Association, Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, Academic Medicine, and The International Journal of Learning. Lynne has been involved with numerous grant projects, including outreach programs by biomedical sciences funded by AAMC, HHMI, NASA and NAIDA. She is available for consulting to school districts, medical schools and health science divisions.
Dr. Lynne Houtz can be reached after she returns from sabbatical in January 2013 at lhoutz@creighton.edu. For information on the Secondary Education programs, please contact Fr. Tom Simonds, S.J. at 402-280-3602.
5/2012
FACULTY
Howard Bachman, M.S.
Creighton University
Assistant Professor of Education
Mr. Bachman holds two Creighton University degrees including a Master's Degree in Counseling and holds the position of Assistant Professor of Education where he teaches career planning courses and self-assessment courses to students from all three of Creighton's undergraduate colleges.
A former vice-presidential level university administrator for a period of 26 years, Mr. Bachman has taught at both the graduate level and undergraduate level and now concentrates on working full time with undergraduates in career planning and self-assessment.
02/2012
Barbara Brock, Ed.D., Director of Educational Leadership
University of Nebraska- Lincoln
Professor of Education
Barbara L. Brock earned her Ed.D. in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before coming to Creighton, Dr. Brock was an elementary principal for the Omaha Archdiocese and an art teacher in Omaha Public Schools and the Omaha Archdiocese. She teaches graduate level courses in supervisionof learning, field service in elementary and secondary administration, and research methods in education. Her research interests include leadership succession and the induction and professional development of educators in public and Catholic schools. She is coauthor of eight books and numerous journal articles, including From First Year to First Rate (3rd Ed.). Launching Your First Principalship, Developing a Teacher Induction Plan; Avoiding Burnout, Rekindling the Flame, Principals in Transition, From Difficult Teachers to Dynamic Teams, and The Daily Practices of Successful Principals.
Dr. Brock presents nationally and internationally, and is available for presentations, workshops, or school consulting on topics addressed in her books, such as:
- development of induction programs for beginning teachers and principals
- women in educational leadership
- dealing with difficult teachers
- teaching art in elementary schools
Dr. Brock can be reached at bbrock@creighton.edu.
02/2012
Timothy Cook, Ph.D.
Boston College
Professor of Education
Dr. Cook earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration at Boston College. He served as the chief administrator of a Catholic junior-senior high school in Rhode Island before coming to Creighton. Dr. Cook teaches a broad range of undergraduate and graduate courses in secondary school teaching methods, foundations of Catholic education, and school leadership. His research interests include Catholic school charism, religion teacher preparation, and mission-centered faith school leadership. He is the author of Architects of Catholic Culture: Designing & Building Catholic Culture in Catholic Schools. Since his book's publication, Dr. Cook has become recognized as an expert on Catholic school identity and culture issues stateside and abroad. Dr. Cook is available for speeches, presentations, workshops, or school consulting related to the following topics:
- exploring Catholic identity in 21st century schools, measuring religious mission effectiveness, strengthening Catholic school character and culture
- contemplating the charism of Catholic education for a modern age
- leading and teaching mission
Dr. Cook can be reached at tcook@creighton.edu.
02/2012
C. Timothy Dickel, Ed.D., NCC, Co-Director Counseling
Indiana University - Bloomington
Professor of Education (Primary Appointment)
Professor of Psychiatry (Secondary Appointment)
C. Timothy (Tim) Dickel is currently Professor of Education. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Whitman College, Wall Walla, Washington, a master's degree in counseling and doctorate in counselor education from Indiana University. He holds a graduate certificate in gerontology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Dickel teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in child and adolescent development in Creighton's teacher education program, as well as lifespan development, methods in group counseling, and counseling theories in the master's program in counseling, and a senior perspective course on "Violence in America" in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Dickel has published on such subjects as prevention models for mental health, counseling in gerontology, adult development, technology skills in teacher and counselor education, and Jesuit values in distance education.
Dr. Dickel serves as a member of several community boards. He has also been a grant evaluator for the City of Omaha's domestic violence grant activities.
Dr. Dickel has held leadership positions at Creighton as chair of the Education Department, assistant to the dean and associate dean of the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, and dean of University College and Summer Sessions.
Dr. Dickel is available for presentations, workshops, and consultations related to values presentation in
- distance education
- primary mental health prevention activities
- understanding and dealing with violence in communities
- reflective practice in teaching, cousneling, and leadership
- assessment and evaluation of curriculum and grants
Dr. Dickel can be reached by e-mailing him at ctdickel@creighton.edu.
2/2012
Beverly A. Doyle, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Associate Professor of Education
Coordinator of Special Education
Dr. Doyle serves as Coordinator of Special Education and indicates that "working with exceptional students is my vocation and avocation." Holding a doctorate from the University of Lincoln-Nebraska, she is certified as a special educator and school psychologist, and is a licensed psychologist in Nebraska.
Prior to coming to Creighton University she taught at the Omaha Women's Job Corps and at Glenwood State Hospital School. She was a therapist at Monroe-Meyer Childrens Rehabilitation Institute and worked as a school psychologist for the Omaha Public Schools. Dr. Doyle has written numerous articles and two books that deal with students who have behavioral and learning problems. Currently she is working on a book designed to help educators work with students experiencing mental health problems. Another interest and area of expertise is assessment. She has presented at conferences nationally and internationally on this topic.
Dr. Doyle is available for speeches, presentations, workshops and consultation relating to issues of handicapping conditions, mental health problems, and assessment concerns. She can be reached at bdoyle@creighton.edu.
Patrick Durow, Ph.D., Co-Director of Secondary Education
Iowa State University
Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Durow is a fulltime Creighton faculty member in the Education Department of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2001. Prior to joining the Creighton faculty, he was a Catholic secondary school educator for 16 years and a public high school educator for 17 years. In Omaha, he served as the founding principal of Skutt Catholic High School from 1992-2000.
Dr. Durow has published research on the Catholic school principal-pastor working relationship, services for students with special needs in Catholic schools, and topics dealing with online instruction. He has done other research on immigration and education in the United States and variances in Catholic school teachers' salaries. He teaches a number of graduate educational leadership courses dealing with school goverance factors: law, finance, and school-community relations. His primary interests are in those areas.
He can be reached most efficiently at wpdurow@creighton.edu.
2/2012
Sharon Ishii-Jordan, Ph.D., Associate Dean
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Associate Professor of Education
Coordinator of English Language Learning (or ESL) certificate
Dr. Ishii-Jordan earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She holds a current Nebraska administrative certificate with endorsements in superintendent, principal, mild/moderate mental handicaps, learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, ESL, and elementary education.
Prior to coming to Creighton, she taught special education coursework at UN-L, taught middle and high school special education classes in Omaha Public Schools and Richard Young Memorial Hospital, served as educational therapy administrator at Richard Young Hospital, and taught ESL in Japan.
In August 2011, Dr. Ishii-Jordan was appointed Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, however she continues to serve as coordinator of the ESL and M.S. Special Populations in Education programs and maintains a faculty appointment in the Education Department. Dr. Ishii-Jordan is available for speeches, presentation, workshops, or school consulting related to the following topics:
- differentiation in inclusion,
- working with English language learners,
- human relations/diversity
Dr. Ishii-Jordan can be reached at sij@creighton.edu or 402-280-3887.
8/2011
Lynn E. Olson, Ph.D., Director of Elementary Education
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Lynn Olson earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and included a K-12 administration certificate. Her M.S. was from the University of Nebraska in Omaha and included a K-12 endorsement as a Literacy Specialist.
Dr. Olson has taught in elementary schools in the Omaha area as well as in eastern North Carolina. She was an instructional facilitator/literacy specialist in Millard Public Schools prior to coming to Creighton University. She was also an adjunct instructor at UNL and UNO.
Dr. Olson is the Director of the Elementary Education program, including both the undergraduate and the new M.S. endorsement programs. She teaches most of the literacy courses offered through the Education Department, including the three required courses and related practicum at the elementary levels and the content area literacy program in the secondary education program.
Dr. Olson's current research areas include content area reading and eary childhood education. She can be reached at lolson@creighton.edu.
6/2011
Father Tom Simonds, S.J., Ed.D., Co-Director of Secondary Education
University of San Francisco
Associate Professor of Education
Father Tom Simonds, S.J. has been a coach and teacher at the middle school level, and a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal in Catholic secondary schools. He earned his doctoral degree in education from the University of San Francisco. His current research interests include school violence prevention and faith-based values education.
Books:
Simonds, T.A. (2010). Advent and Christmas reflections: Ideas for teaching the Catholic faith in the home, school, and parish. Washington, DC: National Catholic Educational Association.
Simonds, T.A. (2009). School violence prevention workbook: Stopping harassment and hazing. Washington, D.D.: National Catholic Educational Association.
Peer Reviewd Journal Articles:
Cook, T.J. & Simonds, T.A. (2011). The charism of 21st century Catholic schools: Building a culture of relationships. Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice, 14(3), 319-333.
Simonds, T.A. (2010). School crisis planning: A case study. Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 10(4), 57-65.
Simonds, T.A. (2009). Student on student harrassment in United States Catholic Schools: Prevalence and prevention. Journal of Catholic School StudiesI. 81(2), 35-42.
Simonds, T.A. (2009). Violence prevention in United States Society of Jesus secondary schools. Journal of School Violence, 8(2), 191-204.
Simonds, T.A. (2008). School safety drills as a means to improve school safety plans. Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 8(5), 1-10.
06/2011
Jeffrey M. Smith, Ph.D., NCC, PLMHP, Co-Director Counseling
Kent State University - BS., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Smith earned his Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development Services and completed all other degree work at Kent State University, Kent, OH. He also holds a masters Degree in Health and Safety Education, and a Bachelors degree in Social Studies. Since his arrival at Creighton, Dr. Smith has taught exclusively in the graduate program teaching courses, Educational Research, Appraisal in Counseling, Diagnosis in Counseling, as well as Counseling Diverse Populations, and Community Mental Health.
Dr. Smith's research focus centers on:
- Men's use and avoidance of mental health counseling,
- Interdisciplinary professional collaboration to enhance the client/patient treatment regime,
- Graduate student research, presentation, and publication preparation,
- Horticultural counseling
Dr. Smith is available for workshops and presentations, and has consulted on topics related to research grant - program evaluation, community research development, workplace conflict resolution, family counseling and Bibical counseling related issues.
Dr. Smith can be contacted at JEFFREYSMITH@creighton.edu.
Edward B. O'Connor, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Elementary and Secondary Education and Administration
Professor Emeritus of Education
STAFF
Caroline (Carrie) Wortmann, MA, Director of Magis Catholic Teacher Corps
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
Director of Magis Catholic Teacher Corps
Carrie has her Master of Arts in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, which was completed through operation TEACH, a two year service-oriented graduate program similar to Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. Her teaching endorsements are in English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 and Spanish 7-12. Carrie is an Omaha native and attended Creighton University as an undergraduate where she majored in Spanish and co-majored in Justice and Peace Studies. Following graduation Carrie spent a year abroad volunteering and working as an assistant Student Life Director for Encuentro Dominicano in the Dominican Republic. Other work experience includes teaching Spanish and Religion at Archbishop Spalding Catholic High School in Maryland and developing the campus ministry program at St. Peter Claver Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Omaha.
Recognizing that education is a great vehicle for change in our world, Carrie is thrilled to be directing Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. She can be reached at carriewortmann@creighton.edu.
02/2012
Colleen Keller-Chiacchere, M.Ed.
Loyola University Chicago
Assistant Director
Magis Catholic Teacher Corps
Colleen is originally from the New York City region and received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Religious Studies from Fordham University in the Bronx. She has taught kindergarten at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in western South Dakota and at St. Frances of Rome Catholic School, near Chicago.
While completing her Master of Education in Elementary Education, Colleen was a member of the Loyola University Chicago Opportunities in Catholic Education (LU-CHOICE) program, a fellow UCCE program, similar to Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. During that time, she taught kindergarten, lived in community, completed her graduate studies and prayed the Spiritual Exercises (retreat in everyday life).
Colleen has been active with the University Consortium for Catholic Education since 2006 and with Magis Catholic Teacher Corps since 2008 and formally joined the department in July 2009.
Colleen may be contacted at colleenkeller@creighton.edu .
02/2012
Chrys Townsend-Frey, M.S.
Director of Field Experiences and Certification
In November of 2011, Mrs. Chrys Townsend-Frey joined the staff in the Education Department as the Director of Field Experiences and Certification. Chrys served the students, families, and teachers of the Bellevue Public School system for 25 years as a teacher and administrator. Her experience also includes working with the University of Nebraska in Omaha supervising student teachers and working as an academic advisor with Buena Vista University. She continues to partner with Concordia University as an adjunct professor in their graduate program for curriculum and instruction, literacy, and educational administration.
Chrys is very passionate about mentoring to all teachers, but has a fondness for helping to develop skills in student teachers and teachers new to the field. She has partnered with Girls and Boys Town as a trainer and consultant with their education model since 1994, and brings those skills to her new position. Chrys acquired her Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1991 and her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1985. Chrys may be reached at chrys@creighton.edu or 402.280.3583.
Carol Sudduth
Sr. Administrative Assistant
Carol Sudduth joined the Education Department in March of 2007 as an administrative assistant. She is responsible for providing administrative support to the Chair and department faculty; as well as, maintaining the budget and student records. She began her teacher education career at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska where she was the administrative assistant in the Education Department for over 13 years. During that time she also coordinated and directed statewide math/science conferences for teachers and students.