James A. Therrell, Ph.D.
Office:
(580) 327-8448 or jatherrell@nwosu.edu
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 1998 – 2004
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education specialization)
Dissertation: “Ideas from a Balanced “Family”: The Founding and Practice of a Teacher Collaboration”
· Employed ATLAS-ti software as an aide for qualitative data analysis
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 1983-1986
M.S. in Recreation and Leisure Studies
Duke University, Durham, NC, 1973-1976
B.A. in History
Teaching & Supervision Experience
GRADUATE & UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING:
Assistant Professor, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Fall 2004
Adjunct Faculty, Texas State University-San Marcos, Summer 2004
· Graduate: “Advanced Early Childhood Development” (ECE 5318)
· Graduate: “Elementary Language Arts: Current Trends” (CI 5312)
· Undergraduate: “Seminar for Teachers of Young Children” (ECE 4310)
· These courses required that I develop and deliver an original course of instruction, including a detailed syllabus based on my specified learning objectives, required readings, course schedule, appropriate instructional strategies, and diverse methods for constructing and assessing student learning, including the use of Blackboard software.
TA & Assistant Instructor, University of Texas at Austin, 1998-2001, 2004
· Responsibility for auditorium section of “Play & Early Development” (ALD 321)
· Assisted professor in preparation of pre-k and kindergarten teachers: “Early Childhood Program Development” (EDC 371)
· Assisted professor in preparing elementary teachers for their practicum: “Reading and Language Arts (EDC 670)
· Advised undergraduates in most aspects of their coursework
· Developed lesson plans, graded projects, prepared tests, evaluated and submitted final grades
· Planned lectures, demonstrations, and discussion strategies
· Used a variety of instructional technology to enhance pedagogical technique
Adjunct Faculty, Concordia University (St. Paul, MN), 2000-Present
· Developed 2 courses and nine-page syllabi for online environment
· Conduct online classes via WebCT software
· Teach health and recreation content for both School-Age and Youth Departments, including supervision and programming
Lecturer Appointment, San Francisco State University, 1986-91, S’94
· Part- and full-time teaching in Recreation & Leisure Studies Department
· Taught “Play and Child Development,” “Leisure Lifestyle Development,” “Leisure in Contemporary Society,” and “Entrepreneurship”
· Worked successfully with a very diverse population of students
Adjunct Faculty, Pacific Oaks College (Pasadena, CA), 1989
· Taught “Play & Child Development” to seventeen Chinese students via a Cantonese interpreter
PRE-K, ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOL TEACHING:
K-1 Teacher, NYOS Charter School, Austin, TX, 2002
· Completed major trainings in literacy, numeracy, Integrated Thematic Instruction, classroom management, and Baldrige (continuous school improvement)
· Taught in an urban classroom of minority, high-risk, special ed. children
· Performed duties as Teacher Leader for the campus, including staff supervision, liaison with main campus, parent relations, and facility management
· Conducted workshop on collaboration for the school’s Governing Council
K-1 Substitute, NYOS Charter School, Austin, TX, 2002-Present
Pre-K Substitute, Habibi’s Hutch Preschool, Austin, TX, 1999-2001
High School Teacher, Colorado Timberline Academy, Durango, CO, 1979-81
· Head of History Department
· Head of Fundraising
SUPERVISION:
Student Teacher Supervisor, University of Texas at Austin, S 2000, S 2001, S 2004
· Worked with Pre-K thru 5th Grade teacher apprentices, mentor teachers, and principals, observing, recording anecdotal records, coaching, and evaluating student progress
Program Endorser, National Afterschool Association, Boston, MA, 2000 to Present
· Helped to develop the national standards of quality for afterschool programs
· Conduct on-site visits to evaluate and report program quality
Children’s Program Supervisor, Durango (CO) Parks & Recreation Department
· 1981-1983, designed, staffed, supervised, and coordinated a wide variety of programs for children and youth of all ages
· Designed training modules and trained staff to work with children
Teaching Competencies
Play and Child Development
Contemporary Programs in Early Education
Early Childhood Assessment
Emergent Literacy
Guidance with Children
Culture of Childhood & Youth
Parenting in Diverse Families
Working with Families, Schools, & Communities
Educational Foundations: Multicultural Approaches
Qualitative Research Methods in Education
Anthropology of Education / Ethnography
Constructivist Theory & Practice in the Classroom
Classroom Materials & Educative Values
Curriculum Theory & Practice
Cognitive Development & Learning
Theory & Practice of Collaboration in Education
Instructional Design
Integrated Thematic Instruction
Individualized Instruction
School-Age & Adolescent Development
Supervision of Teaching Practicum
Research
PUBLISHED:
Principal Investigator /Author, (w/ Brown, Sutterby & Thornton, 2002). “Age Determination Guidelines: Relating Children’s Ages to Toy Characteristics and Play Behavior.” Washington, D.C.: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
· Obtained grant, recruited research team, organized year-long contract, wrote major portions of report, and co-edited final report
· Designed and implemented a collaborative model for joint research study and coordination with governmental agency
· Document is used by toy manufacturers world-wide to determine and print appropriate ages on toy packaging
Author, (2001). “History, nature and scope of child injuries.” In J. Frost, ed., Children and Injuries, pp. 23-42. Tucson, AZ: Lawyers & Judges.
Co-author, (2002, with J. Frost & J. Sutterby). “Safe heights for playgrounds.” Parks & Recreation, 37:5. Washington, D.C.: National Recreation and Parks Association.
Co-author, (May 2004, with J. Frost, J. Sutterby, C. Thornton, & P. Brown). “The developmental benefits of playground equipment.” Olney, MD: Association for Childhood Education International.
Author, (July 2004). “Racquetball” and “Handball.” In G. Cross, ed., Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in America. New York: MacMillan.
Author, (1998). “A review of teacher efficacy literature: What direction now?” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Author, (1998). “Not necessarily DAP: The influence of Vygotsky, his pedagogy, and sociocultural theory on the 1997 Revised NAEYC Position Statement.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Author, (1999). “Teacher perceptions of efficacy in a preschool classroom: A naturalistic inquiry.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Co-Author, (1999, with J. Frost, S. Kim, & C. Thornton). “Play value and safety of play equipment for crawlers, toddlers, and walkers.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Author, (2000). “Teachers’ scaffolding: A sociocultural investigation of differences between preschoolers and kindergartners.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Co-Author, (2000, with J. Frost, P. Brown, J. Sutterby). “Outdoor play equipment for infants and toddlers.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Co-Author, (2001, with J. Frost, P. Brown, J. Sutterby, & C. Thornton). “The relevance of height for child development and playground safety.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Co-Author, (2001, with P. Brown, J. Sutterby, & C. Thornton). “The nature and value of children’s free play.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Co-Author, (2001, with J. Frost, P. Brown, J. Sutterby, & C. Thornton). “The developmental benefits and use patterns of overhead equipment on playgrounds.” Unpublished manuscript, University of Texas at Austin.
Other Publications
BOOK:
Author, (1989/1992). How to play with kids: A powerful field-tested nuts & bolts condensed guide to unleash and improve your “kid-relating” skills. Nashville, TN: School Age Notes.
ARTICLES:
Co-Author, (2001, with P. Brown, J. Sutterby, & C, Thornton). “Power play: Playgrounds encourage brain development in children.” Today’s Playground, 1:3, 16-17. Idaho Falls, ID: Harris Publishing.
Co-Author, (2001, with P. Brown, J. Sutterby, & C, Thornton). “Brain structure and critical periods.” Today’s Playground, 1:4, 18-19. Idaho Falls, ID: Harris Publishing.
VIDEOS:
Producer, (1990). “The Essentials of Play Leadership.”
Co-Producer, (1994). “Fast, Fun, & Easy Activities for School-Age Children.”
Conference Highlights
Author, (2000). “Scaffolding in preschool: Constructing ‘core’ knowledge.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.
Keynoter, Parent-Teacher Association of Texas, N. California School-Age Consortium, Prof. Assn. of Childhood Educators (plus two dozen state-wide conferences)
Presenter / Trainer, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Austin Independent School District
Santee (CA) Unified School District
Montessori International
National Afterschool Association
(plus over 500 other presentations)
Professional Service
Member, Board of Directors, National Afterschool Association, (1997-2000)
Vice-President, Board of Directors, National Afterschool Association, (1998-2000)
Chair, Professional Development Division (1998-2000)
Endorser, National Afterschool Association, (2000-Present)
Co-Founder & Reviewer, “School Age Review,” a peer-reviewed journal of the National Afterschool Association (2000-Present)
Facilitator, ECE Network, Assn. For Supervision & Curriculum Development, 2004
Reviewer, Education Review (2004)
Certified Playground Safety Inspector, National Playground Safety Institute (2001-2004)
· Volunteered with school/parent committees to design, construct, and inspect developmentally appropriate, challenging playgrounds
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (Facilitator, ECE Network)
Other Employment
President, Play Today, Pflugerville TX, 1986-Present
· A partnership for designing and marketing integrated, interactive teacher trainings
· Content addresses age-appropriate lesson planning, instructional skills, proactive group management, and a model for self-evaluation
· Presented to over 50,000 participants worldwide: teachers, school district trainers, childcare providers, and others working with children
Child Care Director, PlayWorld Day Care, Pflugerville TX, 2000-2001
· Designed, supervised, and operated a state licensed home day care program
· Legislative Aide, U.S. Senator Floyd K. Haskell, Washington, DC, 1976-79
References
Dr. Stuart Reifel, Professor, University of Texas at Austin, SR10@mail.utexas.edu,
512-471-4089 (Dissertation Chair)
Dr. Joe L. Frost, Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin, jfrost@mail.utexas.edu, 512-346-5330
Dr. William J. Michaelis, Professor, San Francisco State University, wiljmich@sfsu.edu, 410-338-7576
Dr. Elaine D. Fowler, Professor, University of Texas at Austin, e.d.fowler@mail.utexas.edu, 512-471-5942
Dr. Sharon H. Evans, Director, Education Placement Services, University of Texas at Austin, sharon.evans@mail.utexas.edu, 512-471-1511
Timothy P. Smith, Human Factors, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD, tsmith@cpsc.gov, 301-504-0468, x1283
Sean Haley, Principal, NYOS Charter School, Austin TX, shaley@nyos.org,
512-583-6967
Jennifer Adams, K-1 Teacher, NYOS Charter School, Austin TX, jadams@nyos.org,
512-583-6967
Deborah Shepard, K-1 Teacher, NYOS Charter School, Austin TX, dshepherd@nyos.org,
512-583-6967