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Meet the Education and Master of Arts in Teaching 
Faculty and Staff

Lisa Nelson, PhD
Director, Master of Arts in Teaching Program
Director, Teacher Education Program

BS Secondary Education in English/Language Arts, University of Nebraska at Omaha
MS in Educational Administration, Creighton University
PhD in Leadership in Higher Education, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Areas of Expertise
Administrative, Data, Curriculum, English Language Arts

Accomplishments and published articles
Nelson, L. & Grady, M. (May 2016). Principal as counselor: The issues teachers bring to the principal’s door. Dissertation. 
Brock, B. L., Nelson, L., Grady, M. L., & Losh, M. A. (May 1998). Public schools and law enforcement agencies:  Joining forces for school safety. Connections: NASSP Journal of Secondary and Higher Education. 1(1), 21-28.          
Brock, B. L., Ponec, D. L., Hamman, V., Nelson, L. & Goff, L.  (Fall 1996). The administration of Nebraska public schools:  Present perceptions and future needs.  Educational Considerations. 24(1), 29-34. 

Involvement
St. James Catholic Church Building Renovation Committee
Volunteer piano accompanist at St. James
Folio Reviewer for Nebraska Department of Education

lnelson [at] theabsolutelongestwebdomainnameinthewholegoddamnfuckinguniverse.com
Melanie Felton, PhD
Director, Early Childhood Education Program
Associate Professor of Education

BS Psychology, Child Development, Iowa State University
MS Child Development, Iowa State University
PhD Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Areas of Expertise
Play, Creativity, Language Development & literacy in ECE; Math, Science & Social Studies in ECE; Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Bias Curriculum

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Nominee for Job Well Done Award, College of Saint Mary, 2017
Individual Governor’s Volunteer Award, Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, 2016
Catherine McAuley Award for Teaching Excellence, 2014-15
Felton, M. & Cortez-Castro, D. (Work in process). Co-Editors of Re-Exploring Play and Playfulness in Early Childhood Teacher Education: Narratives, Reflections & Practices. Routledge.  
Felton, M. (February, 2023) Staying the Course: Being an Advocate in Challenging Times, Affiliate Advisory Council Op-Ed), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Affiliate Connections.  
Felton, M. (April, 2022). Revisiting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: Creating a Culture of Connection, Affiliate Advisory Council Op-Ed), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Affiliate Connections.  

Involvement
National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE) Governing Board Region 7 Representative
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Affiliate Council Member (2021-2023)
Southwest Iowa Make-A-Wish
Board & Volunteer; Early Learning Consortium Omaha Region Board Member
Metro Community College Early Childhood Advisory Board Member
Iowa Western Child Development Program Advisory Board Member

mfelton [at] theabsolutelongestwebdomainnameinthewholegoddamnfuckinguniverse.com
Jennifer Rose-Woodward, EdD
Associate Professor of Education

BS Elementary Education, Psychology, Dana College
MS Education, Literacy, University of Nebraska, Omaha
EdD Educational Leadership, College of Saint Mary

Areas of Expertise
Teaching: K-12 education, inclusive classroom strategies, literacy, and technology

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Shim, A.L. & Rose-Woodward, J. (2019). Dynamic balance drills to promote skill acquisition and prevent injuries in children. Strategies, 32 (3), 3-11.

Involvement
TeamMates Mentoring Program
Bennington Booster Club
Bennington Public Schools Strategic Planning

jrose-woodward [at] theabsolutelongestwebdomainnameinthewholegoddamnfuckinguniverse.com
Sabrina Riggins, MS
Instructor of Special Education

BS in Elementary Education and Special Education, College of Saint Mary
MS in Assessment Leadership, College of Saint Mary

Areas of Expertise
Special Education K-6, Elementary Education K-6, Assessment Leadership

sriggins [at] theabsolutelongestwebdomainnameinthewholegoddamnfuckinguniverse.com
Lori Wewel
Certifications Officer
lwewel [at] theabsolutelongestwebdomainnameinthewholegoddamnfuckinguniverse.com