Faculty and Staff

Melina Alexander

Biography

Dr. Melina Alexander has worked at WSU for 10 years teaching a variety of courses including introduction to education, the exceptional student, and a variety of special education methods courses. She received her Bachelors degree in psychology, anthropology, and special education and Masters in curriculum design and instruction with an emphasis in math from Weber State University. Melina received her PhD in special education with an emphasis in distance education from Utah State University. She has also received a post-doctoral degree in distance education from University of Kentucky. Her primary areas of research interest include instructional methods for students with and without special needs, and teacher preparation.

Degrees

Post-doctoral degree in distance education from University of Kentucky.
Ph.D in special education with an emphasis in distance education from Utah State University.
MA in curriculum design and instruction with an emphasis in math from Weber State University
BS degree in psychology, anthropology, and special education from Weber State University

Michelle Checkman

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts

Vincent Bates

Biography

Vincent Bates teaches arts integration for elementary teachers in the undergraduate program and history and philosophy of education at the graduate level. He began teaching at WSU in 2012 after six years in the music department at Northwest Missouri State University and twelve years as a K-12 music and art teacher in Eureka, Utah. Here at Weber, Vincent chairs the WSU Storytelling Festival and directs the Weber/Snow Collaborative Music Licensure Program. He also serves as production editor and former editor of Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education, a peer-reviewed, international, online, open-access professional journal. His research and writing have centered on critical social theories in music education (place/land, socioeconomic class, ecology/sustainability).

Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2005, Music Education, The University of Arizona
Master of Music (MM) 1996, Performance, Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Music (BM) 1992, Music Education, Brigham Young University

David Byrd

Biography

Originally from the great state of Montana, Dr. Byrd has taught German, English and Psychology for ten years in Utah, Texas and Colorado. He worked as a visiting professor at the University of Iowa, where participated in Project Relevance (Reaching English Language Educators via Advanced Networked Collegiate Education). His main research interests include second language writing, culture and identity development. When not teaching or doing research, Dr. Byrd enjoys spending time at home with his wife and daughter or traveling.

Degrees

Ph.D. in Foreign Language and English as a Second Language Education from the University of Iowa
MA in German literature with an emphasis in pedagogy from the University of Arizona
BA in German teaching with a minor in Psychology teaching from Brigham Young University

Shirley Dawson

Biography

Born in Heber City Utah, to amazing parents who sacrificed much to give Shirley an education. Her grandmother had an 8th grade education and her mother was the first woman in her family to graduate high school. Shirley is a first generation college graduate. She always wanted to become a teacher and has spent her career in the greatest profession, teaching. Taught public school for 22 years in Jordan School District as an 3rd , 4th , and 5th grade teacher, special education resource teacher for students with disabilities, and cluster teacher for students with severe autism. State gifted and talented coordinator for junior high students. Prepared teacher candidates at University of Utah, Westminster College, Argosy University, and Salt Lake Community College before joining faculty at Weber State University

Degrees

PhD. Special Education
M.Ed. Special Education
B.S. Elementary Education

Andrea Martinez

Biography

Andrea Garavito Martinez is a first-generation Chicana college graduate and originally from Northeast Los Angeles, California. She also attended elementary school in her parent’s native hometown of Jocotepec, Jalisco, Mexico. Prior to joining Weber State University, she served as the Community School Facilitator at Hillcrest High School in the Canyons School District where she worked closely with school administration, the district and multiple community partners to implement the Midvale Partnerships for Student Success initiative. She was also a Family Center Coordinator and Latinos in Action teacher at West Lake Junior in the Granite School District. She currently teaches the courses: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Educational Psychology and Classroom Management.

In addition, for eight years, Andrea helped to coordinate outreach and recruitment efforts in the Urban Institute for Teacher Education that focused on increasing the number of students from diverse backgrounds entering teacher education programs. Her dissertation research is an extension of this work. For her dissertation, she gathered the narratives of Chicana/Latina undergraduate pre-service teachers to understand their professional experiences. The findings from this study indicate the need to develop teacher professional practices that center their unique and varied lived-experiences. At WSU, she is the co-advisor for Future Educators of America (FEA).

Degrees

BA: Chicana/o Studies and Sociology, University of California at Santa Barbara
MA: Education, Culture, & Society, University of Utah
Ph.D.: Education, Culture, & Society, University of Utah

Louise Moulding

Biography

Louise Richards Moulding is a professor in Teacher Education at Weber State University. She began her career in education as a biology and chemistry teacher, and has served in district and state level administrative positions, including Director of Assessment at the Utah State Board of Education. She holds a Ph.D. from Utah State University in Research and Evaluation Methodology. In addition to teaching, she is the director of the Graduate Studies in Education program for the College of Education.

Degrees

Ph.D. Research and Evaluation Methodology, Utah State University
M.Ed. from Weber State, Ph.D. from USU
BS from Weber State in Biology/Chemistry

DeeDee Mower

Biography

Dr. DeeDee Mower is loving her time at Weber State University. It is a beautiful campus with outstanding students. The Teacher Education Department is bursting with energy and scholarship. She is excited to be part of a great collaborative department where future teachers are trained well and go out into communities and schools to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Before coming to Weber State, DeeDee taught third and fourth grades for fifteen years in Jordan School District where for another four years she also was an ESL Teacher Specialist. During her teaching career, she was fortunate to receive a grant to fund a large Oral History Project at our school with four other teachers. It sparked her current passion for history and how to teach young children about past events that shape their contemporary lives. DeeDee found that including oral histories as primary documents was another way she could teach literacy to my students with great success. She has written two articles about this experience that have found their way as chapters in educational texts.

Degrees

BS: Elementary Education, Weber State University
MA: Linguistics, University of Utah
Ph.D.: Education, Culture, & Society, University of Utah

Daniel Pyle

Biography

Dr. Pyle, is an assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Weber State University. Prior to arriving at Weber State University, Dan completed a post doctoral fellowship at San Diego State University. Dan earned his Ph. D at Utah State University in the Special Education and Rehabilitation department. He has worked as a special education inclusion support teacher in secondary schools for 12 years of which he has had the unique opportunity to open a fully inclusive, comprehensive high school in southeast San Diego, CA. His research interests include peer-mediated interventions, multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS) and evidence-based instructional supports and services to improve academic and behavioral outcomes for secondary students with disabilities accessing general education settings.

Degrees

Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with an emphasis in special education in the Disability Disciplines Program in the Department of Special Education and RehabilitationUtah State University, 2015
Bachelors of Science (B.S.), Exceptional Education/Elementary Education Dual Teaching Credential
Masters of Science (M.S.), Physical EducationAzusa Pacific University, 2004, SUNY College at Buffalo, 1999

Clay Rasmussen

Biography

Dr. Rasmussen has specialization in curriculum and instruction. Prior to higher education he taught middle school science. He conducts research in the areas of student motivation and effective teaching practices.

Degrees

PhD in Education
MED in Educational Technology
BS Agriculture: Agricultural Education

Sheryl Rushton

Biography

Dr. Sheryl J. Rushton is very delighted to be a member of the Teacher Education Faculty. Sheryl has taught mathematics to middle school and college students for 35+ years. She loves math, but more than math, she loves teaching. Sheryl is excited to be teaching pre-service teachers and, hopefully, instilling in them the love of teaching she has. Sheryl received her doctorate degree in Math Education and Leadership from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Her Master’s Degree (Instructional Technology) and Bachelor’s Degree (Math, Computers, and Statistics) were also in the fields of Education and Curriculum and Instruction.

Sheryl is anxious to be working with the education students as they move forward on their path of furthering their education. She feels educating oneself is the most important thing a person can do to gain an advantage in life!

Degrees

PhD – Curriculum and Instruction: Math Education and Leadership
MEd – Curriculum and Instruction: Instructional Technology
BS – Secondary Education: Mathematics/Computers/Statistics

Stephanie Speicher

Biography

Dr. Stephanie Speicher is an associate professor and the Digital Fluency Faculty in Residence at Weber State University, specializing in digital pedagogy, curriculum design, and the creation of authentic learning communities. With over 30 years of experience in the field of education, she infuses compassion and heartfelt elements into teaching and learning while simultaneously revolutionizing the methods by which individuals and ideas converge across learning environments.

As a champion and practitioner of human-centered learning, Stephanie has presented at international conferences and various colleges and universities worldwide and has collaborated with leading creative technology companies such as Adobe and Course Hero. Recently awarded the Presidential Teaching Excellence Award at her university, Stephanie enables others to share their wisdom and ideas in an environment that thrives on collaborative thought, effort, and action. Beyond her academic role, Stephanie serves as a legislative voice for innovation on the Utah State Charter School Board. Her dedication to revolutionizing teaching and learning extends from her roots as an Outward Bound instructor to teaching the educators of tomorrow, ensuring that all individuals feel interconnected in creative, collaborative spaces.

Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2017, Curriculum and Instruction, Utah State University
Master of Education (MEd) 2001, Educational Leadership, University of Maine
Bachelor of Science (BS) 1993, Social Sciences/Secondary Education, Towson University

Deborah Vaughn

Biography

Dr. Debbie Vaughn is excited to join the Teacher Education faculty at WSU in the Fall of 2024. Debbie brings over 22 years of K-12 public education experience to share with her students and fellow faculty members. All twenty-two years were in service to students at Title I schools, illustrating her belief that every student can and will achieve excellence if given the needed support and opportunities. Her educational experience includes elementary school, middle school math, special education, ESOL/ELL school leader, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. She is eager to share her experience and knowledge with the next generation of teachers and school leaders here at WSU. Go Wildcats!! .

Degrees

B.S. - Elementary Education, Mercer University
M.S. - Mathematics Education (K-8), University of Georgia
Ed.S. - Curriculum & Instruction (K12), Piedmont University
Ed.D. - Curriculum & Instruction (K12), Liberty University

Natalie Williams

Biography

Natalie Allen Williams began her career at Weber State University in the fall 2005. She currently teaches Human Exceptionality, and oversees the special education practica courses. In conjunction with the Human Exceptionality course, Dr. Williams co-directs the CAPES program here on campus. She has also taught courses in classroom management and special education law. Dr. Williams was the adviser for the Student Council for Exceptional Children for eight years, and served on the University ADA committee for three years. Dr. Williams lives in Layton, Utah with her husband, John, and their daughters Ava and Lucy.

Degrees

Ph.D. (2005), Special Education & Applied Behavior Analysis, The Ohio State University
M.S. (2002), Special Education & Comprehensive Classroom Management, University of Utah
B.S. (1993), Early Childhood Special Education, Severe Disabilities, Utah State University