Radford University's STEL interim director named

Radford University Associate Professor Jennifer Jones has been named interim director of the university's School of Teacher Education and Leadership (STEL).

Jones will assume the role July 1, announced Dr. Patricia Shoemaker on June 24, then-dean of the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).

In the interim director role, Jones replaces Dr. Kenna Colley, who was selected in April to be the next CEHD dean to succeed Shoemaker. Dr. Shoemaker plans to rejoin the CEHD faculty after a fall sabbatical.

At Radford University, Jones teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, which focus on research-based ways to assess, teach and support the teaching of reading in the K-12 academic setting. She has specific interests in literacy assessment and intervention. Now in her 12th year teaching at RU, Jones is a program area leader for the university's Literacy Education graduate program. The program prepares practicing professionals to serve as literacy leaders in the K-12 setting in the roles of reading specialists, literacy coaches and continued service as classroom teachers.

"Programs housed in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership are among our premiere curricular offerings at RU. Those programs are well known throughout the Commonwealth and beyond and consistently produce graduates who are highly sought by schools and other agencies. This excellent reputation is a direct result of the strength of the faculty and the school leadership. Dr. Jones is a great choice to fill the Interim School Director position and I know she will make meaningful contributions to STEL programs and be an effective partner to the new dean, Dr. Kenna Colley," said Dr. Shoemaker.

STEL offers education programs in early childhood/early childhood special education, elementary, middle, special education, gifted, deaf and hard of hearing, educational leadership, reading, science, math and social studies.

Students enrolled in the school's programs become highly skilled and participate in practical experiences in their fields of study. STEL's faculty feature expertise and research agendas in areas such as high impact teaching strategies, cultural responsiveness, instructional technology, globalization of the curriculum and interdisciplinary teaching.