Faculty & Staff

Education

B.S., Millersville University
M.Ed., Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Ed.D., Widener University

Courses Taught

• Educational Philosophy and Ethics
• Research Design and Methodology
• Law and Policy in Education
• Educational Psychology
• Literacy II Field Experience II
• Elementary Field Experience III
• Secondary Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience

Career Highlights

Nancy L. King is an assistant professor and the chair for the department of education at Cedar Crest.

Even as a child, Nancy always wanted to become a teacher. Her parents valued education and instilled that value in her.

Nancy completed her career in public education at Muhlenberg School District, beginning as a fourth grade teacher and retiring as the Assistant Superintendent. During that time, she also served the district as a Reading Specialist, Reading Supervisor, and Federal Programs Coordinator. She also earned certification as an Elementary Principal at Lehigh University and completed the doctoral program in Reading and Language Arts at Widener University.

After earning her doctorate, Nancy returned to Widener University and completed additional coursework in the Educational Leadership program to earn her Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility.

Nancy also worked for the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, Division of Federal Programs, as a per diem Assessment Adviser and Federal Programs reviewer.

In addition to her current position as an assistant professor at Cedar Crest, Nancy has served as an adjunct professor in the education departments at Albright College, Alvernia University, and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Nancy also worked for Holt McDougal, the secondary education division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company, as the Language Arts and Social Studies Consultant for Pennsylvania and Maryland.

"Teaching is an Opportunity. Throughout your career, there will be many times that you will be asked to take on a special assignment, work on a collaborative project, or assume a leadership role. Consider these Opportunities that you should not pass up. You never know where these Opportunities will lead."
--Nancy L. King, Ed.D., Assistant Professor and Chair, Education

Memberships

Nancy is a member of the following organizations:

• Association of Teacher Educators
• Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers
• International Reading Association
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• Professors of Reading
• Teacher Educators
• Keystone State Reading Association
• Tri-County Reading Council
• Organization of Teacher Educators in Reading
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Education

B.S., Elementary Education, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
M.Ed., Elementary Education, Lehigh University

Courses Taught

• Student Teaching (all levels)
• Professional Seminar

Career Highlights

Mary Beth O'Connell is an assistant professor in the department of education at Cedar Crest and the director of student teaching and field experience.

Mary Beth knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a teacher-her true calling in life. She began her career in the Allentown School District teaching third grade at Mosser Elementary School for 10 years, after which she stopped teaching to stay home with her two children. When her youngest child was seven years old, Mary Beth accepted an adjunct position at Cedar Crest, where she continued in this capacity for seven years. Although Mary Beth taught most of the courses offered in the education department during that time, her main responsibility was supervising student teachers. This continued to be her focus when she accepted a full-time position at the College, becoming the first director of student teaching here. Mary Beth has been teaching at Cedar Crest for 22 years.

Mary Beth is inspired by her husband-who has been in the education field for 38 years-and their children.

"As a future teacher, it is imperative for you to learn and practice excellent organizational skills. You also need to maintain a balance between your personal life and the demands of student teaching. These factors-and the excellent planning and delivery of lessons-are critical to your success."
--Mary Beth O'Connell, M.Ed., Assistant Professor, Education

Memberships

Mary Beth is a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Education

B.S., Elementary Education, East Stroudsburg University
M.Ed., Reading, East Stroudsburg University
Ed.D., Reading and Language Arts, Widener University

Courses Taught

• Reading
• English as a Second Language
• Diversity in Education
• Teaching Methods
• Courses in literacy, mathematics, and social studies

Career Highlights

Jill Purdy is an associate professor and the director of graduate programs in the education department at Cedar Crest College.

Jill cannot remember a time when she didn't want to be a teacher, so it is no surprise to her family that she has been in the teaching field for over 15 years at the middle and elementary levels.

After receiving her bachelor's degree, Jill began teaching in fifth grade in the Easton School District. Shortly after obtaining her master's, Jill moved to a middle level teaching position at Southern Lehigh School District, where she taught English, Reading and Social Studies. Jill's next position was as a Reading Specialist at Salisbury Middle School.

Since joining the faculty at Cedar Crest, Jill has been researching the teaching of English Language Learners. She has enjoyed visiting several ESL classrooms in local school districts. Jill's current position as the graduate program director and assistant professor has allowed her to teach many different courses and occasionally supervise teachers in the field.

"I teach at Cedar Crest to inspire students to become enthusiastic and knowledgeable educators who have a passion for the profession."
--Jill Purdy, Ed.D., Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs, Education

Memberships

Jill is a member of the following organizations:

• International Reading Association
• Keystone State Reading Association
• Colonial Area Reading Educators
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• National Science Teachers Association

Education

B.S. in Early Childhood Elementary Education
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
M.Ed., Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Joan is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Alvernia University.

Courses Taught

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education (Graduate and Undergraduate)
• Educational Planning
• Field Experience I and III
• Curriculum and Learning Experiences in Social Studies
• Technology for Educators

Career Highlights

Joan M. Kern is an instructor in the education department at Cedar Crest College.

Joan was a stay-at-home mom and then enjoyed a career in the business world before realizing that she wanted to become a teacher. She went back to school after her children were in school full-time.

After earning her bachelor's and master's degrees, Joan taught elementary school in the Lehigh Valley area in fourth and fifth grade classrooms. In 2006, she became an instructor at Cedar Crest College.

Joan joined the Cedar Crest faculty in order to share her experience as an educator with future teachers. She enjoys watching students reach their goals, as well as gaining insights from her students' field experiences.

"It is important to do your best and make an impression on everyone you meet. Build your resume with experiences and activities that will help you move to the top of the applicant file for open positions. Your strong work ethic will be an asset to obtaining a teaching position."
--Joan M. Kern, M.Ed., Instructor, Education

Memberships

Joan is a member of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Alpha Epsilon Lambda.