Dr Jeanne E. Okrasinski
Introduction Education & Training Conference Presentations Publications Funding & Grants Frequently Taught Courses Research & Creative Interests

Dr Jeanne E. Okrasinski

Professor Office: 2132 - Buzzard Hall
Email: jeokrasinski@eiu.edu

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to EIU! I have been in higher ed working with educators since 1999 and have been a Panther since 2010.  I can often be found in the residence halls meeting with students for a Chew, sitting in my office grading/ talking with students or at sporting events.  My family loves living in a college town and interacting with the students. Thanks for stopping by my page!


Office Hours

Education & Training

2007 Ed. D. Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum Leadership – Northern Illinois University
              Dissertation Title: A Study of the Relationship of Middle School Team Ideology and School Achievement Status.

2000 MS Ed. Curriculum and Instruction - Northern Illinois University
             Emphasis: Curriculum Leadership & Multicultural Education/TESOL
                       
1993 BS Ed. Physical Education - Northern Illinois University
 

Conference Presentations

2013   Okrasinski, J. & Wilkins, E. Elementary Education Student Teachers: Levels of Understanding about Induction and Mentoring Programs. Presentation at the Mid Western Educational Research Association Conference, Chicago, IL. November 6-9, 2013.
 
2013   Okrasinski, J. & Stodden, D. Using Picture Books in Instruction. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Literacy and Learning Coference, Mattoon, IL. November 2, 2013.
 
2013   Brownson, A. & Okrasinski, J. The Common Core Standards, The library Media Center, Children’s Literature and Informational Text: Using the Library and the Librarian to Effectively Meet Common Core Standards. Presentation at the 34th Annual History and Social Science Teachers Conference, Charleston, IL. October 24, 2013.
 
2013   Okrasinski, J. & Colombo, J. I still remember the Duomo! Igniting student minds through integrated and differentiated unit study. Presentation at the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, A National Conversation, Countryside, IL. October 10, 2013.
 
2013   Okrasinski, J. Integrating Curriculum for Academic Growth. Presentation at the Illinois Education Research Council Symposium, Champaign, IL. June 13, 2013
 
2013   Okrasinski, J. Reading All Around the World! Presentation at the Illinois Reading Council 45th Annual Conference, Springfield, IL. March 15, 2013.
 
2013   Okrasinski, J. & Wilkins, E. A Collaborative Model: Helping Elementary Education Teacher Candidates Better Understand Induction. Presentation at the Midwest Association of Teacher Educators Conference, Lafayette, IN. March 22, 2013.
 
2013   Okrasinski, J., Hunt, T. & Smith J. Enhancing Literacy and Collegiality among Faculty. Presentation at the Midwest Association of Teacher Educators Conference, Lafayette, IN. March 22, 2013.
 
2013   Wilkins, E. & Okrasinski, J. What do Student Teachers Know about Induction and Mentoring? Presentation at the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative Conference, Springfield, IL. Feb 27, 2013.2012   Wilkins, E. & Okrasinski, J. Induction and Mentoring Programs: Levels of Student Teacher Understanding. Presentation at the Mid Western Educational Research Association Conference, Evanston, IL. November 9, 2012.

2012   Dale, C. & Okrasinski, J. Giving 3rd - 5th Grade Students a Voice. Session presentation at the Illinois Education Research Council Symposium, Tinley Park, IL. June 11, 2012.
 
2012   Okrasinski, J. Celebrating our Place in Space: Using a Literature Base to Discover the Geography of our World. Session presentation at Racine-Kenosha Reading Council and Carthage College Literacy Conference, Kenosha, WI. April 14, 2012.
 
2012   Dale, C. & Okrasinski, J. Putting Students First in an Elementary Practicum Observation Experience. Session presentation at the Midwest Association of Teacher Educators Spring Conference, Urbana, IL. March 30, 2012.
 
2012   Okrasinski, J. & Wilkins, E. Pre-Service Teacher Coaching through Induction. Session presentation at the Midwest Association of Teacher Educators Spring Conference Urbana, IL. March 30, 2012.
 
2012   Okrasinski, J. Pull-out, Push-in, Immersion? This Sounds Like P.E. Class! Session presentation at the English Language Learners Conference, Charleston, IL. March 24, 2012.
 
2012   Dale, C. & Okrasinski, J. Contributions of the Tetrad Model in Practicum Evaluation. Proposal accepted for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning International Conference, Statesboro, GA. March 7-9, 2012.
 
2012   Dale, C. & Okrasinski, J. Preliminary Implications of Block 1 Elementary Teacher Efficacy. Session presentation at the College of Education and Professional Studies 15th Annual Research Fair, Charleston, IL. February 27, 2012.
 
2012   Wilkins, E., Jerich, K., & Okrasinski, J. New Teacher Induction Programs:  Student Teacher Perceptions and the Role Universities Play. Session presentation at the Association of Teacher Educators Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. February 11-15, 2012.
 
2011   Dale, C.M. & Okrasinski, J.  What Have Been/Will Be the Ramifications of State Level Changes in Teacher Certification Regarding the Basic Skills Test? Presentation at the Illinois Association of Teacher Educators Conference, Peoria, IL. November 4, 2011
 
2011   Okrasinski, J. Middle school teaming & school achievement status:  A look at
teacher ideology. Presentation at the Association of Teacher Educators Summer
Conference, Philadelphia, PA. August 9, 2011.
 
2011   Okrasinski, J. Developing Leadership Skills in K-5 Students through Literature. Session presentation at Carthage College Literacy Conference, Carthage College, Kenosha, WI. April 16, 2011.
 
2011   Okrasinski, J. Hidden Treasure: Finding Gold in Newspapers. Session presentation at Illinois Council for the Social Studies Spring Conference, Champaign, IL. April 15, 2011.
 
2011   Okrasinski, J. Leadership and Literature: Creating Learning Communities without Bullies. Session presentation at Midwest ATE Conference, West La Fayette, IN. April 1, 2011.
 
2010   Okrasinski, J. Developing Leadership Skills in K-5 Students through Literature. Session presentation at the IATE Fall Conference, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL Nov. 5, 2010.
 
2010   Okrasinski, J. Creating Effective Middle School Teams. Session presentation at the ROE 11 Fall Classic. Charleston, IL Oct.  8, 2010.
 
2010   Okrasinski, J. Team Ideology and School Achievement Status: What’s the Connection? Poster Presentation at the Illinois Education Research Council Symposium, Champaign, IL, June 8-9, 2010.
 
2007  Okrasinski, J.  Team Ideology and School Achievement Status: What’s the connection?  Poster Presentation at the National Middle School Association (NMSA) Annual Conference, Houston, TX, Nov. 8-10, 2007.
 
2003  Vanlaarhoven, T., Munk, D.D., Okrasinski, J., & Wyland, S. Project ACCEPT :  Creating collaborative experiences to prepare pre-service teachers for working in diverse classrooms.  Illinois Council for Exceptional Children- Spring Conference.
 
2003  Vanlaarhoven, T., Munk, D.D., & Okrasinski, J.  Project ACCEPT :  A collaborative model for improving teacher preparation.  Illinois No Child Left Behind Conference.
 
2002  Vanlaarhoven, T., Okrasinski, J. & Demmert, S.  Assistive technology in the middle school classroom.  Workshop for Kaneland School District 301.

Publications

Wilkins, E., Okrasinski, J. & Jerich, K. (currently under revision) Induction and Mentoring: Levels of Student Teacher Understanding. Submitted for Review in Action in Teacher Education.
 
Rieman, P.L. & Okrasinski, J. (2007). Creating Your Teaching Portfolio. NY: McGraw Hill.

Funding & Grants

2013   Faculty Development Partnership Grant, Co-writer for Young Adult Reading Group (YARG!) "Young Adult Literature and the Common Core: A Partnership
            between YARG! And the P12-University Advisory Committee on Implementing the Common Core" – $750
2013   Faculty Development Partnership Grant, Co-writer for EC-EIU Reading Council - Strengthening Teachers, Encouraging Parents: A Two-Pronged
            Approach to Building Strong Readers" – $500
2013   Faculty Development Support Grant to assist in redesigning MLE program – $478
2013   Redden Grant for “Social Studying” – purchasing Tablets with apps for use in practicum and social studies methods -$1500
2013   College of Education Research Grant - “Reviving the Renaissance.” – $1000
2012   Faculty Development Partnership Grant, Co-writer for Young Adult Reading Group (YARG!) creating inquiry circle boxed sets of texts - $750
2012   Faculty Development Partnership Grant, Co-writer for EC-EIU Reading Council Author Visit - $750
2012   Redden Grant for Content Area Reading materials - $1500
2011   Redden Grant for Social Studies materials -$1500
2011   Faculty Development and Partnership Grant for ELL Conference – $750

Frequently Taught Courses

Predominant courses taught:          
MLE 5150 -Interdisciplinary Curriculum in the Middle-Level School      
MLE 4100 - Assessing Student Learning (Replaces MLE 4000)
MLE 3150 - Interdisciplinary Teaching in the Middle Level School
ELE  5250 - Introduction to Research in Education
ELE  3340 - Social Studies Methods for Elementary and Middle School
 
Other courses taught:
MLE 4280 - Teaching Reading in the Middle-Secondary School 
MLE 4000 - Practicum in Middle School Curriculum and Instruction
MLE 3110 - Curriculum and Instruction in the Middle-Level School
ELE  5640 - Teaching and Supervision of Social Studies in Elementary and Middle Schools
ELE  3350 - Language Arts in the Elementary Schools 
ELE  3000 - Instructional Strategies for the Elementary Classroom

Research & Creative Interests

Differentiation & instructional strategies; middle school teaming/PLC's; leadership development in K-5 classrooms; ESL; middle school organizational structures; social studies instruction