Education Faculty & Staff
Laura Baker, Assistant Professor of Special Education
Office: Parenzo 211C
Phone: 572-5324
Email: lbaker@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Laura Baker joined the faculty in the spring of 2009, after serving as an adjunct for fall of 2008. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Maine at Orono. Her undergraduate work was done at Miami University where she received a B.S. of Ed. Dr. Baker is a member of the Westfield Professional Development School Network, and is also Coordinator of Special Education for the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.
Dr. Baker has taught students in regular and special education in grades from pre-school to graduate school. She was a Director of Special Education and a Principal for many years, most recently as Head of School of Greenfield Center School in Greenfield, Massachusetts. She has been a Director of a center for the Coalition of Essential Schools and has recently published in Horace.
She runs daily and does her best thinking when moving. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, playing with her two dogs, and, most of all, spending time with her partner and two children.
Sandra Berkowitz, Interim Chairperson, Associate Professor of Reading
Office: P206
Phone: 572-5323
E-mail: sjbz@yahoo.com
Dr. Sandra Berkowitz joined the day Education faculty in fall, 2003. However, she began teaching in the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education in 1989. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota, an M.A. in Early and Middle Childhood from Ohio State University, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has taught grades one-five in Massachusetts, Ohio and Minnesota. Dr. Berkowitz is also the Coordinator of the Reading Education M. Ed. program at WSU and is a faculty liaison to the Westfield Professional Development School Network. She teaches multiple courses in literacy in the day and evening programs and helps prepare candidates for the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure in Reading.
Dr. Berkowitz is currently President of the Massachusetts Association of College and University Reading Educators. She is also co-advisor to the campus chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Education Honor Society. She has published in the field of teaching reading in the content areas and rethinking training for undergraduates in literacy instruction. Sandy presents her work on rethinking undergraduate literacy training and on assessment based literacy practices at local, state and national conferences. In September 2009 the New England Reading Association chose Sandy for the 2009 Massachusetts Special Recognition Award for leadership in literacy.This award is given each year to a deserving recipient from each New England state.
Sandy enjoys reading, kayaking, gardening, and attempting to play golf. But most of all, she loves spending time with her husband, her two daughters, her parents, and her adopted Labrador retriever, Gracie.
Robin DiAngelo, Assistant Professor, Multicultural
Office: P206
Phone: 572-5325
E-mail: rdiangelo@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Robin DiAngelo received her PhD in Multicultural Education from the University of Washington (Seattle) in 2004 and joined Westfield State in the Fall of 2007. Her research is in U.S. Race Relations, Critical Whiteness Studies and Anti-Racist Education. Before coming to WSU she was the co-lead of the City of Seattle's Race & Social Justice Initiative. Dr. DiAngelo is a two-time winner of the Student's Choice Award for Educator of the Year at the University of Washington. Her journal publications include Multicultural Perspectives, Teachers College Record, Equity & Excellence in Education, International Journal of Critical Pedagogy, InterActions and Radical Pedagogy.
Richard Frank, Professor (Secondary Coordinator)
Office: P216
Phone: 572-5641
E-mail: rfrank@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Frank joined the faculty at Westfield State in 1985. He earned his B.A. in English at North Adams State College (now MCLA), and his Ed.D in Educational Foundations and Policy Studies from the University Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Frank currently serves as the Coordinator of Secondary Programs for the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education, and as Coordinator for Online Assessment for the Teacher Education Council, Graduate Education Council, and NCATE accreditation. Dr. Frank has taught a variety of courses for the Education Department, and was instrumental in developing the first educational computing course required for teacher certification in the Commonwealth.
Barbara Goff, Associate Professor of Special Education (Coordinator)
Office: P211
Phone: 572-5319
E-mail: bgoff@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Barbara (BJ) Goff joined the Westfield State Education faculty in 1998 and serves as Special Education Coordinator. She received her B.A. in Psychology from The State University of New York at Potsdam, an M.A. in Psychology from West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia and an Ed.D. in Policy, Planning and Administration from Boston University. She teaches Special Education courses as well as a research course at the graduate level.
Dr. Goff is an internationally recognized consultant and designer of services and programs for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. She presented on this subject in Romania in 2007. She is experienced with traumatic brain injury patients, as well as those with physical disabilities, substance abuse, psychiatric and learning and developmental disabilities.
BJ loves spending time with her family and attending theatre events.
Terri M. Griffin, Assistant Professor of Special Education
Office: P211
Phone: 572-5316
E-mail: tgriffin@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Terri M. Griffin joined the faculty in the Department of Education in the fall of 2009. She holds an Ed.D. in Human Development and Psychology, with a concentration in Language and Literacy from Harvard University. She received an M.Ed. in Reading and Language from Harvard University, and a M.Ed. in Special Education from Westfield State University. Dr. Griffin began her undergraduate studies at Smith College and completed them at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, with bachelor degrees in both Psychology and Education. Dr. Griffin has been an Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education teacher in both public and private schools. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at colleges in New York and Massachusetts. Dr. Griffin has published research in the area of language and literacy development and, with two research colleagues, was the 2008 recipient of the International Reading Association's Dina Feitelson Research award.
Stephanie Grimaldi, Assistant Professor of Education
Office P213
Phone: 572-5320
Email: sgrimaldi@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Stephanie Grimaldi joined the faculty in Spring, 2009. She holds an Ed.D in Language, Literacy, and Developmental Studies from Boston University, an M.Ed in Reading and Literacy from Harvard's Graduate School of Education, and a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University. She was a charter corps member of Teach For America.
Prior to coming to Westfield State University, Dr. Grimaldi was the Literacy Department Head for the Lexington, MA Public Schools. She has been a Title I Reading Teacher and a Reading Specialist in urban and suburban districts in the eastern part of the state, and taught fourth grade in the New York City Public Schools.
Dr. Grimaldi has three children and enjoys spending time with them and extended family in the area.
Ken Haar, Associate Professor Education Technology
Office: Wilson 411J
Phone: 572-5588
E-mail: khaar@westfield.ma.edu
Professor Haar joined the Education Department in 2001 after a nineteen year career in academic computing. Professor Haar has completed advanced graduate work in Educational Foundations from the State University of New York at Albany and in Computer Science from Fitchburg State College, an M.S. in Math/Education from the State University of New York at Albany and a B.S. in Mathematics/Psychology from Southampton College of Long Island University. Professor Haar is an instructor of our technology in education course as well as our introductory foundations course.
Professor Haar is advisor to the Student National Education Association campus chapter, a member of the Massachusetts Teacher's Association Student Education Association of Massachusetts (SEAM) committee, and the community service coordinator for the college's First Year Experience Seminar. Additionally, Professor Haar is the president of the Westfield chapter of the Massachusetts State College Association (the faculty union).
Professor Haar's research interests include: school climate issues, and student rights issues, both of which he has presented on at regional conferences. He is a reviewer of texts on technology and educational foundations.
Ken's personal interests include travel, softball (a sport he plays and also coaches as Westfield State's assistant softball coach), and politics (he's held numerous local elected and appointed positions).
Nitza Hidalgo, Professor of Education
Office: P206
Phone: 572-5318
E-mail: nhidalgo@westfield.ma.edu
Nitza M. Hidalgo, Professor of Education at Westfield State University, teaches in the areas of multicultural education, philosophy of education, and Latino studies. She is the Director of the Westfield Professional Development School Network, an eight-year partnership between Westfield State University and five Westfield Public Elementary Schools. She received her B.A. from Hunter College, City University of New York, and her Ed.M. and Ed.D. from Harvard University. Among numerous articles, she is the editor of Facing Racisim in Education, Harvard Educational Review. Her current research focuses on the formation of professional bonds within year-long, pre-practicumto practicum internship programs. Presently, she is writing a memoir of growing up in El Barrio, New York City.
Kathleen Itterly, Associate Professor of Reading
Office: P210A
Phone: 572-8054
E-mail: kitterly@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Kathleen Itterly began her career at Westfield State as the 2002 Teacher in Residence and joined the faculty full time in 2003. She holds an Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts, an M.S. from the State University of New York at Oneonta, and a B.S. from the University of Utah. She teaches a variety of literacy courses in both the graduate and undergraduate education programs at Westfield State University. Dr. Itterly also holds the distinction of being a National Board Certified Teacher.
One of Dr. Itterly's main interests is to merge theory and practice through a professional development model known as cognitive coaching. She serves as a faculty liaison in a Westfield Elementary School where she conducts college classes that allow college students to work directly with children in an apprenticeship format.
Dr. Itterly serves as the faculty co-counselor for the Iota Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Education Honor Society at WSU. She is also an active member of the Faculty Center's Advisory Committee and the Student Affairs Committee. She has recently co-authored a book with Dr. Susan Biggam entitled Literacy Profiles: A Framework to Guide Assessment, Instructional Strategies, and Intervention: K-4, Pearson, 2009.
Besides teaching, Kathy loves playing bridge, reading, taking long walks with her dog, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Dr. Megan Kennedy, Assistant Professor, Elementary
Office P206
Phone 413-572-8375
E-mail: mkennedy@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Megan Kennedy joined the education faculty of Westfield State University in 2010. She earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Teacher Preparation from the University of Denver. Megan earned her initial elementary teacher licensure at Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, IN and her Ed.M. degree at Smith College in Northampton, MA. Before pursuing her PhD she was a sixth grade teacher in Southampton, MA at the William E. Norris Elementary School. While in Denver, she also spent two years as the Gifted and Talented facilitator at a k-8 charter school.
Dr. Kennedy teaches courses that focus on the interconnection between curriculum, instruction, assessment and the elementary curriculum. In addition she teaches graduate courses in advanced pedagogy and is co-counselor for the Iota Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Education Honor Society at WSU. Her current research interests include teacher identity in the classroom, creating inclusive spaces in schools and communities for LGBT youth, and literature as a tool for creating socially just classrooms.
Trudy Knowles, Professor of Elementary
Office: P206
Phone: 572-5724
E-mail: tknowles@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Trudy Knowles has been a member of the Education faculty since 1994. She received her Ed.D. from the University of Tennessee in Curriculum with a specialization in Educational Psychology and Social Studies Education. She also holds an M.A. in Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a B.A. in Psychology from Centre College in Kentucky.
Dr. Knowles is author of What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know (2nd edition), and The Kids Behind the Label: An Inside Look at ADHD for Classroom Teachers (Heinemann Pub. Co). She is a founding member of the "Center for Powerful Education" based in Madison, WI. Dr. Knowles teaches Elementary Curriculum, Social Studies and Arts Integration courses.
Dr. Knowles serves on the Board of Directors of Enchanted Circle Theater in Holyoke, MA. She has been the faculty advisor for the Students for Peace and Justice Club on campus and is currently the advisor for the Musical Theater Guild.
Trudy has five children living from coast to coast and one grandson who lives nearby. She is an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Her work on peace and social justice issues is the passion of her life. Trudy's motto comes from a bumper sticker she once saw in up-state New York. It read, "Dance with Reckless Abandon." She does that in life not matter what she's doing.
William Lopes, Professor of Elementary
Office: P213
Phone: 572-8161
E-mail: wlopes@westfield.ma.edu
William Lopes is Professor of Education at Westfield State University. Dr. Lopes joined Westfield State University in August, 1988 as Senior Vice-President, Academic Affairs. He served in that capacity until the summer of 2005 at which time he joined the Education faculty.
Dr. Lopes received his B.A. from Providence College and his M.A. and Ph. D. from the University of Connecticut. Prior to coming to Westfield State, he served in various faculty and administrative positions at Rhode Island College and Chicago State University. In addition to that service, he has written several articles for professional journals.
Dr. Lopes is a member of the Board of Trustees at Noble Hospital. He has been a trustee at several non-profit organizations in Rhode Island and Western Massachusetts.
Robin Marion, Instructor
Office: P214
Phone: 572-8968
E-mail: rmarion@westfield.ma.edu
Robin Marion joined the Education Department in fall 2010. She has her M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Bachelor’s in Women’s Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Robin Marion is the Pre-practicum Field Coordinator and Supervisor of Service Learning for Educators.
Prior to coming to Westfield State University, Robin held the position of Educational Outreach Coordinator for the Childhood, Youth, and Learning program at Hampshire College. She has been a social studies teacher in the Palmer MA school district, and directed the Belchertown Teen Center. Robin has been a member of Peck K-8 Full Service Community School since 2009.
Robin has a son Ben and daughter Rose, and lives with her husband Bill O’Connell in Belchertown. Robin enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, pottery and spending time with family and friends.
James Martin-Rehrmann, Ph. D.
Professor of Education
Westfield State University
James Martin-Rehrmann is a former special educator with 20 years of experience in higher education in Massachusetts as professor, chairperson and dean of education at Westfield State. He served as the Dean of Education from 2004 to 2010 and returned to his faculty position in the education department in September of 2010. He is also Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Westfield and coordinates a USDOE grant for professional development of elementary and secondary education faculty. The purpose of this five-year grant, which began in 2007, is to further integrate English Language Learning (ELL) pedagogy into methods courses within and across licensure programs. He has served on the Massachusetts Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) Board of Directors since January 2006, as President-Elect in 2008 and 2009, and he will finish his current term as president in December 2011. Professor Martin-Rehrmann has been active in both state and national levels in governmental and legislative initiatives through MACTE and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). He has also advocated and lobbied for fair testing for teacher candidates since the implementation of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in 1998. His academic interests include literacy education, statistics, measurement and large-scale assessment.
Jane Nagle, Professor of Secondary
Office: P213
Phone: 572-5270
E-mail: jnagle@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Jane Nagle has been a member of the Education faculty since 1999. She has her Ed.D in Language, Literature & Culture and M.Ed. in Counseling from UMass, Amherst. She also has an M.A. in English from Westfield State University and a B.A. in English from the College of Our Lady of the Elms.
Dr. Nagle serves as coordinator for our Secondary program. Dr. Nagle is responsible for the Celebration of Teachers held annualy in the fall semester. This program brings together students who are honoring an individual in their lives who has inspired them to teach. It is always a heart-warming and cherished experience.
Dr. Nagle also coordinates the Portfolio Review , an event which showcases portfolios of student teachers to those students who are about to engage in the practicum experience
Jane resides in Northampton with her husband, Ed, and enjoys spending time on the Maine coast.
David Raker, Professor of Secondary
Office: P228
Phone: 572-5293
E-mail: draker@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Raker joined the Education Department in 1997. Dr. Raker received his Ed.D in Curriculum Studies/Instruction Technology from the University of Massachusetts, an M.S. in Education from Florida International University and a B.S. in Philosophy/Psychology from Union College. He is author and co-author of publications in educational computing. Dr. Raker is an instructor of our technology in education course as well as secondary coursework.
David is also interested in equality in the curriculum. He has performed research, and helped to develop curricula and promote reform in this area.
Dr. Raker is co-founder, along with Dr. Hidalgo, of the highly successful Westfield Professional Development Schools Network (WPDS). This network of the college and local elementary schools serves to foster collaborative relationships that benefit both spectrums of the educational process, as well as offer unique pre-practicum to practicum experiences for our teacher preparation program.
David enjoys traveling, and often finds himself in remote corners of the world.
Marion "Lolly" Templeton, Professor Early Childhood (Coordinator)
Office: P012
Phone: 572-5317
E-mail: ltempleton@westfield.ma.edu
Dr. Marion (Lolly) Templeton has been a member of the Education Department faculty since 1998. Prior to her appointment, she was a visiting professor for the WSU Division of Graduate and Continuing Education and Manager of K-12 Academic Outreach at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Lolly earned an Ed.D. in Teacher Education & Curriculum Studies and a B.A in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst - and an M.Ed. in Educational Technology from Westfield State University. She holds three current Massachusetts Professional Teaching licenses: Elementary K-6, Middle School 5-9, and Instructional Technology Specialist PreK-12.
Lolly currently serves as Early Childhood Program Coordinator and Advisor for the day program and the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education. She is a founding member of the Westfield Professional Development School (PDS) Network and a PDS faculty liaison coordinating a collaborative Preservice Mentorship Project in a Westfield Public Elementary School. She is past faculty counselor to the Iota Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education.
Lolly's research interests include mentoring across the teacher development continuum, instructional technology, information literacy, and early childhood teacher education. She presents papers regularly at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the New England Educational Research Organization (NEERO) where she served as an elected Board Member for many years.
Lolly enjoys cross country skiing, kayaking, gardening, and golf with her husband, Jeff, and their family.