Faculty

Assistant Dean | Senior Director of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Program

Dr. Kellie Albrecht is the Assistant Dean for the School of Education, Senior Director of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership program, and a Professor of Education. She is responsible for Ed.D. program operations, program development and improvement, faculty training, curriculum development and assessment, and advising doctoral students with their dissertation research. Dr. Albrecht served as the Chair of the Educational Effectiveness Committee (EEC), a member of the Academic Council and Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Prior to teaching in higher education, Dr. Albrecht was an elementary school educator having taught in grades 1, 4, 5, and 6. Dr. Albrecht's experience teaching in urban schools sparked her passion for educating in diverse settings. 她与文化多样性和代表性不足的儿童一起工作的经验导致了她对英语语言发展和差异化教学实践的兴趣. Additionally, Dr. Albrecht is the mother of four children, her oldest being identical twin boys. Dr. 阿尔布雷希特的博士论文是一篇解释性现象学分析，侧重于将双胞胎识别为一个文化群体, which investigated individual needs for educating twins. The dissertation is titled, Beyond Bonded Voices: A Qualitative Study with Adult Monozygotic (Identical) Twins.

Dr. Albrecht's experience in higher education includes MAED program development and improvement, faculty training and professional development, advising graduate and postgraduate qualitative research projects, teaching undergraduate, graduate, and multiple and single subject credential courses, supervising student teachers in the field, assessing teaching performance assessments (TPAs), and facilitating TPA student workshops.

Areas of Expertise

• Qualitative Research Methodologies: Action Research, Grounded Theory, Interpretive
• Phenomenological Analysis, Case Study
• Twins’ Research
• Differentiated Instructional Practices
• English Language Development
• Classroom Management
• Curriculum Design, Assessment, and Evaluation
• Distance Learning: Online Asynchronous & Synchronous, Blended/Hybrid
• Program/Course Development, Design, and Improvement
• Technological Pedagogy

Lead Graduate Advisor | Credential Analyst

Director, MAED PPS Programs

Biography

Heather Churney serves as Program Director for School Counseling in the School of Education. 她在2010年开始了她的职业生涯，担任路德教育的学校辅导员，并在亚利桑那州继续她的中学咨询事业，她和她的家人居住在那里. She has had the opportunity to build two high school counseling programs from the ground up, which gave her a unique experience in program development. Her experience is mostly in 9-12 grade in the areas of personal/social development, academic, college/career guidance and crisis management. 上帝给了她与青少年一起工作的热情，她喜欢指导下一代的学校辅导员. She has served as an Adjunct Faculty with Concordia University since 2019, has served as a Subject Matter Expert, served as a fieldwork/practicum supervisor and assisted in course writing. Heather enjoys spending time with her husband Robert, and two children, Collin and Hailee. She is active in her church, Risen Savior Lutheran, and has a heart for women's ministry. 

Director, M.A. Educational Leadership

Biography

我的教育生涯始于高中阶段，我喜欢教多年的英语和神学课程. My posts as ASB advisor and basketball coach provided additional ways to connect with my students. 在担任学校公关主任的几年时间里，我开始在亚洲体育博彩平台教书, Irvine, in 2002. At that time, I taught in the CUAccelerate program which is a hybrid on-campus and online program. 搬到亚利桑那州后，我在凤凰城大学(University of Phoenix)执教了五年，在那里我教授了包括说明文在内的一系列写作课程, research, and technical writing. While I enjoyed that post, 我决定从事教育领域的课程，并开始在大峡谷大学教授研究生和本科课程. In 2012, I was thrilled to join the CUI ranks again as a Professor of Education for the MAED Curriculum & Instruction program. 我还担任以下MAEd课程的主题专家:课程设计与评估(edut / edut 520), Coping with Stress and Violence in Today's Classrooms (EDU 524), and Educational Discourse: Change and Reform (EDU 550). My role as Program Director for Curriculum & 指导提供了与其他教师一起工作的机会，并与所提供的所有课程保持同步. 我目前正在大峡谷大学攻读心理学博士学位，研究方向是认知与指导. I have a true love for the online classroom and truly look forward to the start of each new term.

Assistant Professor of Education

Biography

Robin Gomes has been serving in Lutheran education for over 20 years. Before serving at Concordia University, Robin worked as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Lutheran elementary schools in Nevada and California. Throughout that time, Robin led in the areas of teacher recruitment and retention, curriculum and assessment, and school consultancy in the Pacific Southwest District.

Robin is married to Domingo, a middle school teacher who she met as a student at Concordia University. They have two college-age children. Their pastimes include musical theater, going to Disneyland, enjoying the beach, and baseball.

Education

• M.A.Ed, Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University- Irvine, 2007
• California Multiple Subject Clear Teaching Credential, 2000
• B.A., Behavioral Science: Anthropology, Concordia University- Irvine, 1999

Director, MAED Learning, Design, and Technology & Curriculum & Instruction

Biography

Professor Sandy Mercier has been a full-time faculty member in the School of Education since 2014. Sandy attended Concordia University, Irvine both as an undergraduate and graduate student. She currently teaches MAED online courses for both the Curriculum & Instruction and Learning, Design, and Technology programs. She is also the Director of CUI's Learning, Design, and Technology program. Prior to moving into higher education, she taught various grade levels including Kindergarten, 6th, 7th-8th Literature, and K-8 Computers. Sandra's passion is sharing her love of teaching, implementing fun technology, and creating engaging lessons with her MAED students. Sandy and her husband, Nathan, have been blessed with three children. Their family is very involved with St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Orange, CA.

Education

• Master of Arts in Education – Awarded May 2006, CUI - Major: Curriculum and Instruction; Concentration: K-12 Instruction
• Bachelor of Arts in Education – Awarded May 1999, CUI - Major: Liberal Studies; Concentration: Child Development; Christ College Certificate
• California Clear Multiple Subject Credential – Awarded August 2003, CUI - Supplementary Authorization: English/Literature

Areas of Expertise

• Educational Technology
• Innovative, Technology-based Tools
• Enhancement Strategies for K-12 Curriculum
• Brain-Based Teaching and Learning
• Curriculum Design and Assessment
• Coping with Stress and Violence
• Social and Emotional Learning/Mental Health Support
• Child, Family, and Community

Administrative Assistant to the Dean/Assistant Director of Events and Partnerships

Coordinator, MOUs & Faculty Onboarding

Biography

Prior to his full time faculty appointment, Charlie Rodrigues最近担任Concordia University Irvine的助理注册主任，此外他还在M.A. Education program. 他的博士研究是调查新入职的全职和兼职大学教员的入职过程的有效性. As a proud alum of Concordia for both undergraduate and graduate degrees, he also spent 10 years as an educator in public and Lutheran schools. His breadth of experience will serve him well as he will be teaching in the M.A. Education and teacher credential programs. 查理和他的妻子梅利莎(Melissa)也是一名教育家，他们养育了两个活泼的儿子(一个6岁，一个2岁)，并在长滩的伯大尼路德教会做礼拜. They enjoy spending time with extended family, reading, and traveling.

Director, Servant Leadership Institute

Degrees Earned

• Ed.D., Educational Leadership, University of California, Los Angeles
• M.A., Denver University
• B.A., Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE

Biography

Dr. Kent Schlichtemeier is a teacher. He started his teaching career in 1978 teaching 6th-8th grades in Oxnard, CA. After completing his Master’s degree at Denver University in 1984, he continued his teaching career at the high school level in Orlando, FL. Dr. Schlichtemeier served in the School of Education at Concordia University, Irvine from 1988-2003 where he mentored future teachers. In addition to teaching at Concordia, Dr. Schlichtemeier was the women’s basketball coach until retiring in 1993 to pursue his doctorate degree. During the final two seasons of his tenure as coach, 女鹰篮球队在赢得金州体育大会冠军后，连续两次参加全国篮球锦标赛. Dr. Schlichtemeier在1992年和1993年被评为NAIA三区年度最佳教练，并于2006年被选入康科迪亚体育名人堂. Dr. 从2003年到2007年，Schlichtemeier担任Orange Lutheran High School的教师和副校长, before returning to teach at Concordia University. He enjoys frequent opportunities to speak at sports banquets, school graduations, athletic camps, teacher conferences, and leadership retreats.

Areas of Expertise

• Instructional Leadership
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Assessment
• Organizational Culture
• School Climate
• Instructional Leadership
• Action Research

科学教育学教授|本科教师资格认证项目联合主任| M ..Ed. | Professor of Science Education

Dr. Michael Schulteis自2003年以来一直是教育学院的全职教师，专门从事科学和数学教育, teaching instructional methods, classroom management and research methods courses, and supervising graduate research projects. His educational research has focused on evolution education in parochial schools.

Dr. Schulteis is currently a mentor for the American Meteorological Society Datastreme program. 他还为美国和韩国的教育工作者举办研讨会和演讲, Japan, China, South Africa, and Australia on such topics as instructional methods and evolution education. Prior to arriving at Concordia University, Dr. Schulteis taught multiple subjects at the junior high and senior high school levels.

Education

• ScEdD, Doctor of Science Education, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia
• M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University Irvine
• B.A., Biology, Concordia University Irvine

Areas of Expertise

• Curriculum
• Instructional Strategies
• Common Core Standards
• School Climate
• Assessment of Programs and Student Learning
• Statistics
• Qualitative Methods
• Science Education
• Quantitative Methods
• Action Research
• Lutheran Education
• International Teaching

Full Time Faculty, PPS Programs

Degrees Earned

• PHD in Education (School Psychology emphasis) from Chapman University - 2020
• M.A. in School Counseling and M.A. in School Psychology from Chapman University - 1999
• B.A. in Psychology from Biola University - 1996

Biography

Dr. MaryAnn Seng is a professor of education in the area of school counseling. Prior to her arrival at Concordia University, Seng曾在长滩联合学区做了20年的辅导员和学校心理学家. Her roles in the district included being a bilingual consultant (for the Khmer language), crisis team member, and the coordinator of the school psychology internship program. She also served as a faculty coordinator/counselor at Webster University's Irvine campus. 她对高棉语言/文化的了解使她成为长滩警察局和精神卫生部亚洲部门的社区成员顾问多年. She is currently a board member of the Pediatric Arthritis and Lupus Foundation. Her current research interest involves the educational needs of children with medical conditions.

Assistant Professor of Education

Assistant Professor Yvette Stuewe teaches courses in the MA and Teacher Credential programs. Professor Stuewe has served in Lutheran education for 28 years. Her educational experience spans across St. John’s Lutheran School, Orange Lutheran High School, and Concordia University Irvine. In addition to 27 years of classroom experience, Professor Stuewe served in various leadership roles including Curriculum Leadership Chair, Induction mentor, Induction Assistant Lead Mentor for the Orange County Department of Education Private School Cohort, Conference Presenter, President of the Lutheran Educators Conference Committee, Director of Curriculum, WASC Visiting Team Member, and Associate Director of Orange Lutheran Online. In February of 2023, she presented at the national Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) in Austin, Texas.

Professor Stuewe was part of a team that piloted a one-to-one middle school laptop program, and she taught in a one-to-one setting for fourteen years, gaining experience with many different learning platforms and digital tools. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. She truly sees teaching as an art and values reflective teaching practices. Not only does she find passion in crafting effective lessons and building relationships with students, she also finds great value in collaborating with other educators. 斯图维教授目前正在攻读诺瓦东南大学的教学技术和远程教育博士学位.

Education

• EdD Candidate: Instructional Technology and Distance Education, Nova Southeastern University
• M.A. Curriculum and Instruction,Concordia University Irvine
• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Concordia University Irvine
• B.S. Bachelor of Science, History, University of California, Santa Barbara

Areas of Expertise

• Instructional Design
• Planning and Assessment
• Instructional Technology
• Online and Distance Learning
• Reflective Teaching Practices

Senior Director, MA Programs

Biography

Dr. Tanya Tarbutton serves as an Assistant Professor of Education and Program Director for MAED, School Administration emphasis. Prior to joining Concordia University, Dr. 塔巴顿曾在南加州的几所高等教育机构担任主管和讲师, mentoring and supporting new administrators and teachers. 在这个职位上，她为21世纪的教学和学习评估和准备行政候选人和教师候选人. Dr. Tarbutton还参加了专注于转型变革的学术顾问委员会，并在国际会议上发表了演讲. Before entering higher education, Dr. Tarbutton worked as a site based school administrator, resource teacher and general education teacher. As an immigrant, she brings a unique perspective grounded in more than 20 years of career experience.

Education

• Ed.D, Educational Leadership & Management, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA.
• M.A., School Administration, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA.
• M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA.
• B.A., Elementary Education, Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada
• B.A., Sociology Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada

Areas of Expertise

• Curriculum Development and Alignment
• Mentorship and Support of Administrators and Teachers
• Instructional Platforms and Strategies

Dean, School of Education | Assistant Professor of Education

Biography

Dr. Heather Vezner first began her teaching career in 1993 as an early childhood teacher. She has now served as an educator for 30 years. Her experiences include being an early childhood and elementary education teacher, early childhood program administrator, and parent educator for a grant-funded early education program. 她于2009年首次来到康考迪亚大学欧文分校，担任实地经验协调员和加州大学加州技术研究计划署助理协调员. She has also served as Director of Student Teaching, Director of Preliminary Teacher Credential Programs, Assistant Dean, and currently serves as Dean of the School of Education. Her areas of research and expertise include early childhood education, literacy development, mentoring, teacher preparation, and leadership development.  感谢上帝让我们有机会服务和支持学生，让他们成为教育领袖，在我们的学校社区产生积极的影响.

Teaching Credentials and Certificates

• Ed.D. - Organizational Leadership, Northeastern University, Boston, 2022
• California Multiple Subject Clear Teaching Credential, 2009
• Illinois Early Childhood Teaching Credential, 2007
• M.A. - Early Childhood Education, Concordia University, Chicago, 1996
• Illinois Elementary Education Teaching Credential, 1993
• B.A. - Elementary Education, Concordia University, Chicago, 1993

Professor

Degrees Earned

• Ed.D., Instructional Leadership, Argosy University, 2007
• MAEd., Supervision and Administration, University of Phoenix, 2002
• B. A., History, University of California, Los Angeles, 1995
• B. A., Geography/Environmental Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, 1995

Biography

Dr. 凯瑟琳·韦伯是教育学教授，也是加州行政人员绩效评估(CalAPA)协调员。. 她任职于Concordia University Irvine的机构审查委员会，是EDUA 516的主题专家, EDUA 517, EDUA 561, EDUA562 and EDUA563 (5 of the 8 Administrative courses in the MAEd. program). Dr. Webb serves as a generalist currently teaching Education Technology, Administration, MAEd项目的课程和教学课程以及博士项目的论文研讨会.

Dr. Webb served as a K-8 teacher, special education teacher, site administrator, and district administrator for over 15 years in California and Arizona. She holds a Clear Administrative Services credential and Clear Teaching credential in both states. Dr. 韦伯为她的论文进行了辩护，主题是专业学习社区的效力以及学校改进举措对学生学业成绩的影响. Dr. Webb’s expertise lies in curriculum, Instruction and assessment, administration, and technology. Dr. Webb served as a consultant and professional development presenter, serving school districts nationwide. Dr. Webb has worked in Higher Education since 2007.

Areas of Expertise

• Technology
• 21st century Teaching and Learning
• Classroom Management
• Instructional Leadership
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• Diverse Learners
• School Improvement
• Common Core Standards
• Action Research
• APA