Dean:
Dr. Perry Schoon - Became the dean of WCU's College of Education and Allied Professions on June 22, 2009. Prior to his appointment at WCU, Dr. Schoon served as associate dean for assessment and technology at UT Arlington.
Faculty:
Jessica Cunningham - (ELF) Received her Master’s in Mathematics and her doctorate in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation at the University of Kentucky, where she developed an enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and researching. She has extensive experience working with NSF-funded grants in rural math and science education as well as serves on the national research committee for the American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE). Throughout her career, she has adopted the philosophy that collaboration is the key element to excellence in all three facets. It is through collaboration not only with colleagues but also students and the community that we grow into lifelong learners, quality educators, and innovative researchers.
Dr. Tommy Hodges - (EMGE) Tommy comes to WCU from The University of Tennessee where he worked as an instructor teaching mathematics methods and mathematics courses while completing his Ph.D. in Education. Tommy’s doctoral work emphasized teacher education, with specialization in mathematics education. He began work at WCU this summer developing an online version of middle grades mathematics methods for elementary majors and helped to revise an existing online mathematics methods course. He and his wife Jennifer live in Dillsboro, NC with their two boys and girl on the way.
Deborah Racey - (PSY) A cognitive experimental psychologist, Dr. Racey recently completed her doctoral studies at Southern Illinois University, where she taught Learning, General Psychology, and lectured on judgment and decision making topics. Her professional goals include working in a collaborative teaching-centered environment where both classroom and student-focused research are valued, and so is pleased to have found WCU.
Dan Saurino - (EMGE) Dan comes to us with many years of experience in education. He has taught math and science in public schools, and math and science education in colleges and universities. He completed his undergraduate and master’s work in middle-grades education at North Georgia College & State University, and his doctorate at The University of Georgia in Elementary/Middle Grades Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in mathematics and science.
Penelope Saurino - (EMGE) Penny has over 20 years of experience in education. During her 14 years in public education, she taught all grades pre-k through 8th; title 1 through gifted. Her doctorate is from Boise State University in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on adolescent literacy and multi-literacies. An exciting event for Penny this summer was working with Cherokee authors as they created books for children ages 5-9 for the Cherokee immersion school: Kituwah Immersion Language Academy.
Roya Scales - (EMGE) While Roya is a new assistant professor she comes to us with a wealth of experiences. Prior to accepting the position at WCU she taught literacy methods courses and supervised interns and student teachers in the field for 6 years at UNCG while pursuing her PhD. She is also a self proclaimed book addict with over 5,000 children's books in her collection.
Ellen Sigler - (ELF) Dr. Sigler joined us from Indiana University-Kokomo. Her professional areas of interest are assessment, special education and research.
Dr. Heather Thompson - (HS) Completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Virginia. Her professional experience includes individual and group work in community agencies, shelters, transitional housing facilities, and schools.