Curriculum and Instruction Faculty and Staff
- Curriculum & Instruction Dept.
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Reading
- Special Education
- Teacher Education
Click through each program's tab to see the full list of faculty bios.
Department Chair // Dr. Tonya Garrett
Secretary // Donna Davis
Early Childhood Education
- Dr. Kimberly Phillips, Assistant Professor, Program Chair
- Dr. Anita Ede, Professor
Elementary Education
- Dr. Sherry Been, Associate Professor, Program Chair
- Dr. Samantha Benn-Duke, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Tonya Garrett, Assistant Professor, Department Chair
Reading
- Dr. Sarah Ramsey, Associate Professor, Program Chair
- Dr. Renee Cowan, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Ingrid Massey, Associate Professor
- Dr. Meagan Moreland, Associate Professor
- Dr. Stephan Sargent, Professor
- Dr. Tobi Thompson, Associate Professor
Special Education
- Dr. Jarilyn Haney, Assistant Professor, Program Chair
- Dr. Lisa Bisogno, Associate Professor, Associate Dean
- Ms. Jameie Combs, Lecturer
Teacher Education
- Dr. Jericho Hobson, Associate Professor, Program Chair
- Dr. Sally Armstrong, Professor
- Dr. Jodi Legnon, Associate Professor
- Dr. Jason Proctor, Assistant Professor
- Ms. Lori Riley, Instructor
- Dr. Kathy Seibold, Assistant Professor
Program Chair
Kimberly Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development, a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education and currently working her PhD through the University of Oklahoma. Before her employment with Northeastern State University, Mrs. Phillips worked at Connors State College and the Cherokee Nation. Kimberly has been an adjunct Instructor for Northeastern State University for the last ten years and is excited to be serving her alma mater as a full-time faculty member in the College of Education. In her free time, she sits on numerous advisory boards, is a Certified Appreciate Advisor, has been nominated twice for the Oklahoma Journal's Achievers under 40, Partners in Policymaking 2015 Graduate, 2015 Impact Award winner at her previous Institution, and currently serves as the President for Delta Kappa Gamma Epsilon Chapter. Kimberly was awarded one of nine scholarships for her Doctoral program from the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Kimberly has an adoring husband, two beautiful daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, three fluffy cats, and a dog that complete the family. She enjoys coffee breaks, shopping with her oldest daughter, watching her youngest daughter golf, and Karen Kingsbury novels.
Dr. Anita Ede, ProfessorDr. Anita Ede is a Professor of Early Childhood Education. She joined Northeastern State University in 2006 after earning her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Social Foundations from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Ede also has an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from NSU. Before that, she spent ten years teaching Pre-K fifth grade in Tulsa public schools. Her research interests are in the areas of Early Childhood Education and Literacy.
Dr. Sherry Been, Associate Professor
Program Chair
Dr. Sherry Been joined Northeastern State University in 2013 as an Assistant Professor
of Elementary Education. She received a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from Oklahoma
State University and a B.S. and M.S. in Education from the University of Oklahoma.
She has taught public school, university courses, and professional development courses
over the past 25 years. Her research interests are in the areas of early literacy,
early childhood, teacher professional identity, children's literature, and teacher
advocacy.
Dr. Samantha Benn-Duke, Assistant Professor
Samantha Benn-Duke, PhD, joined the C&I faculty in January 2015. She earned her doctorate
in curriculum studies from OSU. An alum with both a bachelor's and master's degree
from NSU, she is the granddaughter of a student of the Cherokee National Female Seminary
upon which NSU was established. She has been an educator for more than a quarter century,
serving 17 of those years in public school classrooms and 7 years as an administrator.
Samantha's research and passion include advocating for Native American and other minority
children and more effectively meeting their learning needs. She was named the 2017
Oklahoma Indian Educator of the Year by the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education.
Tonya Garrett is an Assistant Professor for Curriculum and Instruction and the Director of Assessment for the College of Education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Education in Teaching at Northeastern State University. She is currently seeking a PhD in Professional Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Mathematics at Oklahoma State University. She had the privilege of teaching first grade students for four years and middle school students math, science, and language arts for eleven years.
Dr. Sarah Ramsey, Associate Professor
Program Chair
Sarah Ramsey has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Oral Roberts University as well
as a Masters of Education in Reading from Northeastern State University, and recently
completed a doctoral degree in College and Higher Education Administration. Dr. Ramsey
is an active member of Kappa Delta Pi. She holds current Oklahoma elementary teaching
and reading specialist certificates and was chosen by her colleagues as Teacher of
the Year in 2006. Dr. Ramsey is a passionate about working with both future and current
educators on creative and innovative ways to engage students in thinking and learning.
Dr. Renee Cowan, Assistant Professor
Renee Cowan has a B.S in Elementary Education from SUNY Plattsburgh, as well as a
Masters of Education in Literacy from Mount Saint Mary College. She completed a Doctoral
degree in Educational Leadership from Oral Roberts University in 2018. Dr. Cowan
holds Oklahoma Teaching Certifications in the areas of: Elementary Education, Early
Childhood Education, Reading Specialist, and Elementary Principal. She was recognized
by her colleagues as Teacher of the Year in 2008. Dr. Cowan has 17 years experience
serving in public education as a Classroom Teacher, Reading Specialist, Instructional
Coach, and School Principal. She is extremely passionate about building both the
capacity and confidence of pre-service teachers in the field of reading.
Dr. Ingrid Massey, Associate Professor
Ingrid Ahrens Massey, EdD, joined the faculty of NSU full-time in 2009 after serving
as an adjunct instructor since 2005. An alum of NSU, she holds a bachelor's degree
in early childhood education, a master's degree in reading education from Oklahoma
State University, and a doctorate in higher education and adult learning. Ingrid's
research interests include teacher preparation in reading and early literacy. Dr.
Massey is passionate about sharing her love of classroom teaching, especially working
with beginning and struggling readers.
Dr. Meagan Moreland, Associate Professor
Meagan Moreland joined the faculty at Northeastern State University in 2008. Her research
interests include engagement and motivation in reading, clinical work and reading
assessment. She has a passion for the reciprocal nature of reading clinics which create
supportive experiences for NSU students and children and their parents.
Dr. Stephan Sargent, Professor
After graduation from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor's in Education and
a minor in science education, Dr. Sargent taught multiple years as a public school
teacher in Ponca City, Oklahoma. While there, he taught science as well as all subjects
in homeroom courses. Dr. Sargent graduated from The University of Tulsa with a Master's
in School Guidance and Counseling. While working on a doctorate at Oklahoma State
University in Reading/Literacy Education, Dr. Sargent taught developmental reading
to adults (ranging in age from 18 to over 60). He also taught reading methods courses,
study skills courses, and served as a reading specialist for an athletic team. After
completing his doctoral work, Dr. Sargent began work at Northeastern State University
as a professor of reading methods. Currently, he teaches both graduate and undergraduate
courses in reading methods and is heavily involved with the Northeastern State University
Reading Clinic on the Broken Arrow Campus. While teaching university courses in reading
methods for current and future teachers, Dr. Sargent works closely with area schools,
teaching the majority of his courses in a school setting. Dr. Sargent works closely
with school accreditation through Cognia (NCA; North Central Accreditation) and CAEP
(formerly NCATE).
Tobi S. Thompson, Ph.D., alum of NSU, and certified dyslexia therapist, joined the faculty of NSU in 2010. She serves as the director of the Cappi Wadley Reading and Technology Center on the Tahlequah campus and the Brackett Endowed Chair of Reading. In addition, she teaches courses in reading/literacy. Her research interests include dyslexia, graphic novels to increase student motivation to read, improving teacher effectiveness, and rural education. Dr. Thompson is passionate about making education accessible and relevant to all children and their families.
Dr. Jarilyn Haney, Assistant Professor
Program Chair
Jarilyn Haney, M. Ed., joined the faculty at Northeastern State University in 2016
as an Instructor of Special Education. She is currently completing a doctoral degree
from Oklahoma State University in Professional Education Studies with a focus in Special
Education. She currently holds a Master's degree of Education in Reading and a Bachelor
of Science degree in Mild/Moderate Disabilities from NSU. Her research interests include
the inclusion of students with disabilities and the multi-sensory approach to literacy
instruction and how this approach improves literacy skills for students with dyslexia.
Dr. Lisa Bisogno, Associate Professor
Dr. Bisogno is currently the Associate Dean of the College of Education at Northeastern
State University. She is the current Treasurer for the Oklahoma Association of Colleges
for Teacher Education (OACTE) and serves on the national Government Relations and
Advocacy Committee for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
(AACTE). Dr. Bisogno graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s and
master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education and she received her Ph.D. in Leadership
and Education from Barry University in Miami, FL. She taught in the public-school
setting for approximately ten years as a teacher of students with mild/moderate disabilities
and severe/profound disabilities in the states of Florida and Alabama. Her area of
expertise and research is in working with children with Autism. Dr. Bisogno loves
instilling her passion of teaching children with disabilities to others and advocating
for the teacher preparation programs she supports within her administrative role in
higher education.
Jameie Combs joined Northeastern State University in 2003 as an adjunct lecturer teaching American Sign Language (ASL). Currently she is a full time faculty member teaching ASL course levels I-IV and Deaf Community and Career Seminar within the American Sign Language Studies Program. In the classroom she practices a total immersion method in which the use of speech is not allowed. In addition to her love of teaching, Jameie also serves as a Nationally Certified Interpreter for the Deaf. With over twenty years of professional experience Jameie holds two national certifications (CI and CT) and is a Member of the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the Oklahoma Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She also holds a Level V Quality Assurance Screening Evaluation by the Oklahoma State Department of Rehabilitation Services for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Jameie's experience working in the Deaf Community exposes her to varied settings and language models as well as specialized vocabulary such as Legal, Medical, Scientific, Mental Health, and Educational terminology. This active participation in the Deaf Community allows her to share current trends in the language and Deaf Culture with her students.
Dr. Jericho Hobson, Associate Professor
Program Chair
Jericho Hobson holds a Bachelor's degree in Pre-Med Biology from Oklahoma City University,
a Master's degree in Instructional Leadership from Northeastern State University and
a Doctoral degree in Curriculum Studies from Oklahoma State University. She has over
15 years of experience teaching in public schools and at the university level. Her
research interests are in the areas of Urban Education, Teacher Education, and Teacher-Student
Relationships. Dr. Hobson is passionate about sharing her love of classroom teaching,
especially working with struggling learners, and empowering teacher candidates to
become effective classroom educators.
Dr. Sally Armstrong, Professor
Dr. Sally Armstrong is a Professor in Teacher Education. She holds a bachelor's degree
from NSU, class of 1974, a Vocational Home Economics degree, a master's in Psychology
and Counseling and earned a doctorate in Higher Education and Adult Learning from
Oklahoma State University. Her research interest as is her teaching passion falls
in the area of teacher preparation.
Dr. Jodi Legnon, Associate Professor
Jodi Legnon, Ph.D., has taught Education courses at Northeastern State University
since 2007. She currently teaches courses in the Teacher Education Program at NSU.
Dr. Legnon earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from NSU and her Ph.D. from
OU in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. She has taught at a public
school, a technology center, professional development courses, and university courses.
She has also served as a University Coordinator at OU. Her research focus is on preparing
pre-service teachers to effectively include children with autism spectrum disorder
in the general education classroom.
Dr. Jason Proctor, Assistant Professor
Dr. Jason Proctor is an Assistant Professor in Teacher Education. He completed his
Ed.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University. Dr. Proctor
earned a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College and a Bachelor of Science
degree in Chemistry Education from Ferris State University. Dr. Proctor taught in
the public schools for 15 years serving as a high school math teacher and cross-country
& track coach. As a National Board Certified Teacher in AYA Mathematics, Dr. Proctor
was recognized as the 2015 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and spent a year traveling
about the state and country as an ambassador of education. His research interests
include mathematics instruction, instructional coaching, and technology.
Ms. Lori Riley, Instructor
Lori Riley is the Director of Assessment for the College of Education. She completed
a Master of Arts in English from Pittsburg State University. Ms. Riley has over 10
years experience in the instruction, advisement, and assessment of college students.
She is currently pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State
university.
Dr. Kathy Seibold, Assistant Professor
Dr. Kathy Seibold is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education. She holds a doctorate
of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Oklahoma State University, a master's
degree in Library and Information Studies from The University of Oklahoma, and a bachelor's
degree in Education with a concentration in computer science from Missouri Southern
State University. Dr. Seibold has over 20 years of experience as an educator, administrator,
and non-profit leader.
Before coming to NSU, Dr. Seibold was the executive director for ImpactTulsa, a non-profit supporting the use of data for improvement in education. She was the Assistant Vice President for Campus Affairs and a professor at The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. There, she oversaw Student Affairs and Donor Relations and worked with external partners to build cooperative relationships between the university and the community. She began her career as a K-12 technology teacher at Jay Public Schools.
During her time in education, Dr. Seibold has worked closely with students, faculty, and staff on projects that bring university and community partners together to address complex challenges. These experiences have provided her with valuable insights into applying groups strengths and forming alliances to improve effectiveness. At NSU, she will continue this work by helping future educators make a difference in the lives of kids, families, and the community.
