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Early Childhood Education Faculty
The faculty for our Early Childhood Program are diverse and accomplished members who contribute their expertise to the program. These dedicated educators bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to prepare future educators in the field of early childhood education.
Senetta Bancroft, Associate Professor
Early Childhood, Elementary Education
Dr. Bancroft has expertise in science teacher professional development, qualitative research methods, and the use of critical theories to inform science education research and practice. Her research currently focuses on teacher beliefs about science instruction and the impacts of sociocultural environments on traditionally underserved doctoral student communities’ persistence in STEM. Her teaching includes secondary science methods and introductory chemistry.
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301B Pulliam Hall
618-453-6162
senetta.bancroft@siu.edu
Lingguo Bu, Professor
Early Childhood, Elementary Education
Dr. Lingguo Bu's instructional interests are K-12 mathematics teaching and learning, and dynamic learning environments in school mathematics. Dr. Bu's research interests are mathematic cognition in dynamic learning environments, model-centered learning and instruction in school mathematics, number theory in school mathematics, and linguistic dimensions of mathematical cognition.
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Wham 323L
618-536-2441
lgbu@siu.edu
Lavern Byfield, Associate Professor
Early Childhood, Elementary Education
Dr. Lavern Byfield is an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
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Wham 322G
618-536-2441
byfield2@siu.edu
Kristen Cameron, Assistant Professor
Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Instruction
Ph.D.; Educational Policy Studies (Social Foundations of Education)
2023, Georgia State University
Areas of Interest: early childhood education and care, critical policy analysis, John Dewey, the Reggio Emilia educational project, neoliberal influences in education, philosophical and historical research methods.
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Wham 222 H
kcameron@siu.edu
Christina McIntyre, Associate Professor
Early Childhood, Elementary Education
Christie McIntyre, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum.
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625 Wham DriveLouise Stearns, Senior Lecturer
Early Childhood, Elementary Education
Louise Stearns is a senior lecturer in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She teaches literacy and social studies courses within the Teacher Education Program. Her public school experiences include grades Pre-K- 6th grade.
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Wham 327
618-453-4249
booklady@siu.edu
Stacy Thompson, Professor
Early Childhood
Dr. Stacy Thompson is a professor in the School of Education at Southern Illinois University. She has a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from Oklahoma State University, a M.S in Child Development and Family Relations from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in Child Development from Iowa State University. Her research interests include sensory integration, interventions for families and caregivers, and quality care for young children.
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Wham 322H
618-453-4254
stacyt@siu.edu
Melissa Viernow, Instructor, Director of Child Development Laboratories | Southern Region Early Childhood Programs
Early Childhood
Melissa Viernow is a Program Coordinator for the Southern Region Early Childhood Programs. She is also the Director of the Child Development Laboratories on the SIUC campus. Melissa has held this position since August 2015. During her time as CDL Director, Melissa earned the Early Childhood English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement. Melissa’s experiences and education have provided her with a wealth of knowledge and the skills to lead effectively and professionally and provide a warm, caring and educational environment for the children and families at CDL.
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Quigley 116