Faculty, Chair, Staff Biographies

Staff:
Patricia S. Poulter, Ed.D. Professor and Chair | Betty Carr I Ellen Shupe

Faculty:
Rebecca Barnett
Judith Briggs
Jim Bush
Nanette Carli
Michael Dubois
Glenda Duke
Les Edwards
William Fischer
Glenn Hoffman
Carol Hubbartt
Raymond LaPorte
Sallee Lowery
Alex M. Martino
Allan McCowan
Leslie Mason
Thomas Mullins
Michele Olsen
Roger Reardon
Philip Rogers
Zac Standerfer
David Stimac
Erma Williams

Dr. Patricia Poulter I Email I MUS 5701 I MUS 5700
Dr. Poulter is the Chair of the Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences. She is also a Professor of Music at Eastern Illinois University, where she has been on the faculty since 1994. Dr. Poulter was the Area Coordinator of Music Education, conducted the select EIU Women's Ensemble, advised the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference (MENC) chapter, advised Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), and taught several classes for the Department. She is active as a curriculum consultant, clinician, guest conductor, adjudicator, and performer. Her performances with the internationally recognized ‘Ensemble Choragos’  include those at the Institut fur Musikwissenschaft Medieval and Renaissance Music Conference (Weimar-Jena), Saint Benoit du Sault monastery, Musikinstrumenten-Museum in Berlin, International Musicological Conference in Toronto,  WILL Second Sunday live radio broadcasts, and the American Choral Directors Association conference in San Antonio. Dr. Poulter holds a Doctorate of Education in Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting, and a Bachelor of Music with Teacher Certification, both from Eastern Illinois University.

Dr. Poulter is also a member of the Graduate Faculty, and she currently acts as the primary committee chairperson for two Master's Theses. Her research interests include brain development and music, learning theory, and creative processes in composition.

Dr. Poulter is the University coordinator for LiveText, the university's e-portfolio and lesson-planning/teaching software. Dr. Poulter is on the International Executive committee of the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) program. She is a Faculty Fellow, working with students in Andrews Hall, a member of the President's Commission on Energy, EIU Marketing Committee, EIU Educator Dispositions Committe, the College of Education and Professional Studies Telefund Committee, the Council on University Planning and Budget, is Chair-Elect of the Council of Chairs, and the EIU Coordinator for the COST program. Dr. Poulter was awarded the Department Chair Leadership Award in 2008. (back to top)

Betty Carr Email (back to top)
Betty Carr is the receptionist for the Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences.  She has been at Eastern for eight years and has worked in the Student Teaching office for seven years.  Betty lives on a farm south of Charleston with her husband and two daughters.  Betty’s main responsibilities include assisting students, faculty and visitors, processing travel vouchers, practicum waivers, and handling the clinical observation aspects of student teaching.  Her personal interests include playing the piano, scrap booking, being active in church activities, and enjoying country life.

Ellen Shupe Email (back to top)
Ellen lives in Charleston with her husband Rick.  She has been employed at EIU for over 20 years, the last nine in the Student Teaching Department.  Her main duties are mostly computer-related, from maintaining student teacher databases to processing tuition waivers for cooperating teachers and administrators, and from updating clinical experience agreements to processing budget forms. Her hobbies include singing in a local Shaped Note group and church choir, playing the piano, and reading.

Faculty:

Rebecca Barnett I Email
Becky Barnett earned her BS in Education with a specialty in Physical Education and Health from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. She extended her degree in a fifth year program in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona in Tucson.  She earned her MS in Administration at Ft. Hays University, in Hays, KS. She has over thirty years of experience in the education field.   Becky is an active learner who co-designed and wrote two college texts and instructor’s manuals, Working Smarter, Using Assessments to Drive Instruction and Designing Motivation for All Learners.  This work enabled her pursue her passion for understanding creativity, motivation, and diverse students’ strengths.  The pursuit of her passion has lead her to participate in John Goodlad’s Network for School Renewal, Project Zero, ATLAS, and the Coalition of Essential Schools.  In 2004, Becky became a student teacher coordinator for Eastern Illinois University.  She considers this a great opportunity to work with diverse learners and teachers.  She incorporates Honoring Diverse Teaching Styles into her current work that enables her to draw on her passion for understanding creativity, motivation, and diverse strengths. At the same time, she is able to collaborate with others to expand and apply her own knowledge of her passion to the best practice strategies of effective communication, classroom management, and instructional practice.  (back to top) 

Judith Briggs | Email (back to top)

Jim Bush | Email (back to top)
I am beginning my sixth year as a student teacher coordinator for EIU.  I really enjoy this position; working with college students to prepare them to be teachers, seeing the many different levels of students in the classrooms, working with the cooperating teachers, seeing and talking with the various administrators, and exchanging ideas with other coordinators.  I have taught mathematics in grades 7 - 12 and social studies in grades 7 - 8.  I have coached or sponsored many sports and activities.  My last 10 years in the K - 12 schools, I was a principal for five years and a superintendent for five years. I live south of Palestine and place students in Lawrence, Richland, Jasper, Crawford, and Clark counties. Occasionally, I have students in other areas.  Again, I really enjoy what I do as a student teacher coordinator. My wife is a school counselor at the middle school in Robinson.  She has taught, been a principal, and a school counselor.  My two daughters both have college educations and one is qualified to teach.  One works at the University of Illinois and the other at Auburn University.  I have one grand child, a wonderful young lady in Middle School! (back to top)

Nanette Carli I Email (back to top)
Dr. Nanette Carli-Smith holds the rank of Professor in the Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences. She joined the faculty of Eastern Illinois University in 1991, after completing graduate studies at Illinois State University . Prior to graduate school, she taught in the Frankfort Public Schools, District 157C, in Illinois . At Illinois State , Dr. Carli taught multiple courses and supervised student teachers for the Art Department .

Dr. Carli taught in the Art Department at EIU for four years prior to transferring to the Student Teaching Department. Her enjoyment of working public schools, combined with methods instruction, lead to her current position. Dr. Carli finds that being in the public schools on a daily basis allows her the opportunity to observe current trends in education as used in classroom, to work closely with student teachers and cooperating teachers, and to act as a liaison between the public schools and EIU.

Dr. Carli lives in Lake Zurich , IL and serves as the North/Northwest Chicago Center director. She places and supervises student teachers in Lake , McHenry, Kane, and Cook Counties . Dr. Carli is an active member of the Illinois Association of Teacher Educators and the National Association of Teacher Educators. She is a past president of the state association, and encourages students to become involved in their professional organizations throughout their teaching careers.

Michael Dubois Email (back to top)

Michael Dubois, Sr. has B.A. and M.A. degrees from Western Michigan University.  He has 42 years of classroom experience in the US, Brazil, and Portugal.   His main academic interests are in the Social Studies and Behavioral Sciences.  He has been a presenter for the Michigan Council of the Social Studies at their state convention.  Prior to his retirement from East Kentwood High School in west Michigan, the students he taught in AP Psychology and AP World History classes had great success on the AP exams.   He also has many years experience in coaching various sports.  His recent move to Charleston has led to the opportunity to assist new teachers as a Student Teacher Coordinator at EIU.

He and his wife, Nancy, have five grandchildren from their four adult children and two younger daughters in Charleston Elementary schools.  They enjoy travel and are active in church affairs.  They are also deeply involved with adoptions through a nonprofit foundation called Operation Starfish (www.op-star.org). 

Glenda Duke I Email (back to top)

Mrs. Glenda Duke is a career educator with over 25 years experience as an elementary school teacher. She joined the faculty of Eastern Illinois University in 1998. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University .

As an elementary school teacher in southern Illinois , Mrs. Duke taught all areas of the curriculum. She developed and implemented curriculum for the Whole Language Program in the primary grades. Among her other accomplishments, Mrs. Duke initiated, developed, and taught the Unit #200 Gifted Education Program for grades two through eight.

In Mrs. Duke’s role as Student Teacher Coordinator serving Centralia and surrounding areas, she works diligently to support the student teacher, as well as the classroom teacher. “It is truly a team effort and everyone benefits when we all work together.” Mrs. Duke’s ability to communicate well, her highly organized approach to life, and proven strength in assessing student needs are all well suited to what EIU expects of its faculty members.

Among other interests, Mrs. Duke enjoys traveling throughout the United States and internationally. Since 1997, she has organized and led student groups on educational tours to New York City, San Francisco, Washing, D.C., throughout Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. “We are truly becoming a global schoolhouse, and it is imperative that individuals become aware of other cultures and regions of the world.”

Les Edwards I Email (back to top)

William Fischer I Email (back to top)

Glenn Hoffman (back to top)

Carol Hubbartt I Email (back to top)

Carol Hubbartt attended Eastern Illinois University , receiving a BS degree in Business Education. Her MS degree in Educational Administration is from Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois at Springfield ). She has taught Business Education, and has served as an assistant principal and principal, primarily in the Chatham , IL area. After 33 years in education, Ms. Hubbartt retired, only to join the faculty at EIU where she enjoys her responsibilities as a student teaching coordinator. Her husband, Dr. Steve, is also an EIU grad. Their three children are also involved in public school education as teachers and with the Illinois State Board of Education. Ms. Hubbartt’s hobbies include reading, bowling, traveling, Grandparenting, and volunteering at Ronald McDonald House in Springfield , IL , Chatham Area Library, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn , IL. Ms. Hubbartt joined the faculty of Eastern Illinois University in 2004.

Raymond LaPorte(back to top)

Raymond LaPorte joined the EIU faculty as a student teacher coordinator in January, 2008. Mr. LaPorte retired as a school superintendent in the Beecher School District in 2003 after serving in the district for thirty- four years as a high school principal for twenty years, a guidance counselor for three years and district superintendent for eleven years. He also taught chemistry at Thornridge High School for three years. Since retirement he has held positions as an interim superintendent in Markham SD #144, interim elementary principal in the Hammond City Schools, adjunct professor in the graduate school at Concordia University and a school consultant for risk control for Gallagher Bassett Insurance. Mr. LaPorte has been married for thirty- eight years and has two sons who graduated from Indiana University. He enjoys traveling to Italy with his family and plays golf as much as possible.

Sallee Lowery I Email (back to top)

Mrs. Sallee Lowery began her career as a special education teacher in Crystal Lake, Illinois.  After two years she helped begin the program for students with physical disabilities in Schaumburg District #54.  She continued to work for District #54 for more than 30 years as a special education teacher in instructional, inclusive and resource settings; and later as an assistant principal and special education coordinator.  During this time she earned an M.S.ed from Northern Illinois University in Counselor Education and a C.A.S. in School Administration from National Louis University.  

Mrs. Lowery currently is one of the Student Teaching Coordinators for the North/Northwest Chicago suburban region.  As a Coordinator for EIU, she enjoys using her experiences and knowledge to support students and their cooperating teachers during the final step of their journey on the way to becoming teachers. 

Along with her continued passion for special education, her interests are in brain research, the use of technology and assistive technology in the classroom, and reading instruction.   “I believe it is an exciting time to be an educator.  We are learning so much about the brain, how children learn, and how to teach.”

Alex M. Martino I Email (back to top)
Alex M. Martino has been a member of the Student Teaching Faculty at Eastern Illinois University since 1997. Mr. Martino received his Bachelor of Science degree, in Education from Western Illinois University; Master’s of Science degree in Educational Administration from University of Illinois and has completed advanced graduate work at Northern Illinois University.

In 1995 Mr. Martino retired as superintendent from New Lenox School District 122 in which he served in that capacity for a period of 18 years. During his tenure as superintendent, three schools in his school district received the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence in Education from the United States Department of Education.

In addition his school district received national recognition from the American Association of School Business Officials for its excellence in financial reporting. Mr. Martino has over 35 years of experience in the field of education both at the elementary and secondary level. During his career he has served as an assistant superintendent, building principal, classroom teacher and coach.

Leslie Mason I Email (back to top)

Leslie Mason is a Student Teaching Coordinator in Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas. She retired from teaching in June 2004 after having taught 34 years. Ms. Mason earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of Illinois, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Specialization in Reading from the University of Illinois, and an Educational Specialist’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Illinois University. She has had a variety of teaching assignments, ranging from elementary classroom teacher to high school guidance counselor. Ms. Mason was a reading specialist (including Reading Recovery) for many years, taught gifted students and was a middle school counselor for one year before her last position as a high school counselor at Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois. Most of her teaching experience was in Champaign Unit Four Schools but she was also an elementary classroom teacher for two years in the city of Chicago and one year in Rantoul before moving to Champaign. Ms. Mason thoroughly enjoyed her educational coursework at Eastern Illinois University and is very excited to mentor beginning teachers at the start of their teaching careers.

Allen McCowan I Email (back to top)

Thomas Mullins I Email (back to top)

Dr. Thomas Mullins has been a member of the faculty at Eastern Illinois University since 2003. He is a member of the South Suburban Chicago coordinator’s group. Dr. Mullins retired as school superintendent from New Lenox School District 122 in 2001. Prior to that position, he served as superintendent in Matteson-Richton Park . His past 35 years of educational experiences include the principalship, assistant principalship, and junior high school English teacher. He has also served on the faculties of Lewis University, Governor’s State University , and Moraine Valley Junior College in adjunct positions.

Dr. Mullins received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Loyola University of Chicago, and his doctorate from Northern Illinois University . Dr. Mullins also does consulting work with school boards throughout Illinois in the areas of school architectural design and superintendent searches. Dr. Mullins has been married for 38 years and has three children. He and his wife enjoy travel, cycling, golf, the Cubs, and their grandchildren.

Roger Reardon <(back to top)

Michele J. Olsen, Ph.D. | Email (back to top)
Michele J. Olsen is a member of the Student Teaching Faculty at Eastern Illinois University and a former member of the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle Level Education.  Michele earned a Ph.D. in the field of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

Michele relies on her classroom teaching background as she provides inservice training to practicing teachers.  She is the Director of ArchiTeacher,  a public education program that encourages K-12 students to value architectural design and make good choices for the environment of future communities.  ArchiTeacher reaches students by training their classroom teachers in year-long institutes and intensive summer workshops.  Participants, called ArchiTeachers, receive learning units and university credit for their work with the program.  In addition, ArchiTeacher provides participants with curriculum materials and classroom visits by local architects and preservationists.

Michele’s inservice work has reached teachers and students in classrooms throughout Illinois and overseas.  The three year Peoria project sponsored by the Regional Office of Education and The Peoria Arts and Sciences Council was a significant example of the outreach of ArchiTeacher.  In addition, Michele Olsen has taught workshops and prepared curriculum for the Museum of Science and Industry Summer of Science Program, Art Institute of Chicago, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Dana Thomas House Foundation.  She has also presented teacher education workshops for the Department of Defense Schools in Japan and Germany, for the Hawaii Department of Education, for the ICOMOS conference at UNESCO in Paris and the Built Environment Trust in Cambridge, England.  Michele’s work is documented on the web at www.architeacher.org. Michele is also very active with the Rotary ShelterBox project, a registered charity that provides emergency aid for victims of natural and other disasters anywhere in the world.

Philip Rogers | Email (back to top)

Zac Standerfer (back to top)

David Stimac | Email (back to top)
I graduated from Danville High School in Danville, Illinois and attended Danville Junior College before enrolling at Eastern Illinois University.  After earning a BS Degree in History, I taught 6th grade for 6 years at Tilton Elementary School.  During this time I participated in an Administrative Intern Program sponsored by EIU and Danville School District #118 in Danville, Illinois for teachers who desired to move to administration.  After earning a Masters in Administration, the remaining 26 years of my educational career where spent in administration.  I was an elementary school principal for 18 years, assistant principal of  a middle school for a year,  principal of a middle school for a year and Director of Human Resources for 6 years before I retired from the Danville School System.  I have coached basketball and track, served on numerous district committees, and was the Chief Negotiator for the District. My administrative assignments allowed me to work with universities in recruiting new staff, organizing new staff orientations and assisting new staff in understanding the skills needed to be an effective educator.  My goal in assisting student teachers is to prepare the students to assume a teaching position in any district.  I want student teachers to have the skills necessary to effectively handle all situations that may arise once they have obtained a teaching position.

Erma Williams | Email (back to top)