The Fordham Graduate School of Education welcomes three new assistant professors beginning Fall 2022, who will join its esteemed faculty to further the school’s initiatives in providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse learning environment to prepare educators, school leaders, counselors, and psychologists. All are tenure track positions.
Courteney Johnson, Ph.D., Division of Psychological and Educational Services, has research interests that focus on modifying evidence-based practices and interventions for specific projects. Of note, Johnson is currently working on two projects; one on adapting a social emotional learning curriculum for black youth, the other looking at ways to support the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) in classrooms with children on the spectrum by integrating identified evidence-based practices.
Reverend Kevin Spinale, S.J., Ph.D., Division of Curriculum and Teaching, has been investigating what he terms “humane principles”, comparing scholarly ideas on writing and commitment, then using this information to help students throughout all levels of school. Reverend Spinale is also exploring questions of Ignatian or Jesuit Pedagogy, working toward an account of Jesuit education that comes from the experience and expertise of teachers. He will continue to think and write about the character of Jesuit education and the future of its institutional expressions in the United States.
Phillip A. Smith, Ph.D., Division of Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy is doing research which includes examining how the racial identities and lived experiences of Black male K-12 public and independent school leaders informed their professional lives and leadership. The research builds theory and formulates a new and comprehensive definition and typology of Black male school leadership; he will now aim to develop a conceptual framework and model for mentoring grounded in a Black leadership epistemology. Smith’s other research interests include exploring the intersection of race and gender in education leadership, towards improving diversity and representation across the leadership workforce.
“It is my honor and pleasure to welcome Drs. Johnson, Spinale, and Smith to the Graduate School of Education. We are indeed blessed to have such incredible talent join us in the important work of preparing the next generation of educational leaders, teacher leaders, and school psychologists. I look forward to the incredible contributions each will make in research, teaching and service that will make this world a better place, especially for marginalized and underserved communities,” shared José Luis Alvarado, Ph.D., Dean, Fordham Graduate School of Education.
The Fordham Graduate School of Education is committed to training and supporting top professionals, from initial through advanced levels. GSE offers more than 40 master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs with campuses in New York at Lincoln Center and Westchester, and online. For more information visit www.fordham.edu/gse.
