People whose School Affiliation is The School of Education

• Ed.D., Instructional Technology and Media, Columbia University Teachers College

Assistant Professor

• Advancing the design, development, implementation and inquiry of meaningful technology-supported online, hybrid and face-to face learning environments

"I welcome this opportunity to contribute to the Vincentian vision and spirit within the University and to work with the Fellows to advance equal opportunities of excellence to disenfranchised communities and students through education aided by technologies. "

St. John's University

During her nearly 20-year long professional career, Dr. Brenda I. López Ortiz has worked as middle school teacher helping low income students learn English language skills, as teacher professional developer, educational website developer/editor and instructional technology assistant professor. Her research interests focus on online collaboration to foster meaningful learning helping students bridge social, cultural, economic, gender-based and digital divides.

Ph.D., Counselor Education, St. John's University
Advanced Certificate in School Psychology, City College of CUNY

Associate Professor

Accountability and best practices in counseling, linking research and practice, closing achievement and opportunity gaps for all students, outcome research in counseling and literacy, use of therapeutic communication skills to improve counseling outcomes.
 

St. John's University

Dr. Eschenauer has dedicated his career toward ideals embodied by the Vincentian philosophy in educational counseling and evaluation for over 40 years. A licensed mental health counselor, he has practiced and taught in a variety of venues. Dr. Eschenauer has conducted numerous seminars and group sessions for priests and religious and is an annual presenter in the Acculturation Seminar for International Priests conducted by the Vincentian Center. He holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from St. John's University and an advanced certificate in school psychology from City College of CUNY. His research is focused on accountability (therapeutic outcomes), psychotherapy and therapeutic language.

Director of Academic Programs, Project ReConnect

St. John's University

Associate Professor

St . John's University

• Ed..D., Department of Instructional Leadership, St. John's University

Associate Professor;
Chair, Human Services and Counseling; and
Coordinator of the Graduate Literacy Program

• The diagnosis and remediation of children and adults with learning disabilities, especially dyslexia
• Developing effective strategies for reading, oral and written communication.  

St. John's University

E. FRANCINE GUASTELLO, is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Human Services and Counseling and the Coordinator of the Graduate Literacy Program in the School of Education at St. John’s University. She is a Senior Vincentian Research Fellow and a fellow in the Orton-Gillingham Academy of Practitioners and Educators dedicated to working with children and adults who are dyslexic. She coordinates a program on leadership development in the non-public sector. Her research focuses on developing effective teaching strategies especially for struggling readers and writers. Dr. Guastello earned her Ed. D. at St. Johns University.
 

• Ed.D., Educational Leadership, DePaul University

Assistant Professor, Early Childhood and Adolescent Education

• Assessment in exploring the relationships between computer adaptive testing, data analysis, and student achievement
• Constructivist-staff development and development of inter-cultural understanding among students. 

St. John's University

• Ed.D., TESOL/Spanish, Columbia University Teachers College

Professor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

• First and second language acquisition
• Standard English as a second dialect

"Becoming a part of the Vincentian Fellow's Program will enable me to further focus attention and expand the scope of what has been a lifelong personal mission: to be an ear for the unheard and a voice for the voiceless members of our diverse community."

St. John's University

Yvonne Pratt-Johnson is a Professor in the School of Education and has just attained the rank of Senior Vincentian Research Fellow. She has taught English as a Second Language for over 30 years and has been the recipient of several research grants. Through her research, presentations, and publications, she has raised awareness of the special needs of second language learners, especially the English/Creole-speaking population in U.S. Schools. Dr. Pratt-Johnson serves as a consultant for the NYC Board of Education and holds a Ed.D from Teachers College, Columbia University.

• Ph.D. Special Education, University of North Texas

Professor

• Mathematics learning and literacy of bilingual students, and students with learning disabilities.

"Interacting with other Vincentian scholars has opened my eyes to the many ways in which all of our work is connected toward a common goal of making a positive difference in the lives of the people around us."

St. John's University

• Ph.D., Educational Administration, Fordham University

Director

• Educational leadership effectiveness in economically impoverished communities
• Servant Leadership

"The Fellows program contributes to the learning community at St. John's University through shared learning, teaching, networking, reflection and planning with individuals who share values dealing with social justice and poverty.The experience of being a Fellow has enriched every facet of my life and those whom I serve."

St. John's University

• Ed.D., Mathematics Education, Columbia University

Associate Professor

• Mathematical pedagogical practices
• The challenges of teaching mathematics
• The effects of a professional development initiative and parental intervention on student achievement

"The opportunity to be a Vincentian Fellow has nurtured my ability to research, teach and serve in the spirit of the Vincentian mission."

St. John's University

Regina Mistretta is an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction in The School of Education of St. John's University and a Senior Vincentian Research Fellow. Her research and publications involve teacher preparation program design, professional development frameowrks and parent-child collaboration in mathematics, SHe holds an Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University and serves as co-chair for the Mathematics Teacher Educator Special Interest Group of the Association of Teacher Educators.

• Ed.D., Educational Administration and Supervision, Rutgers University

Associate Professor

• The development of teachers who work effectively in urban settings and with high-risk students (0 years-6th grade)
• Inclusion education and special needs
• Parent engagement strategies
• The integration of the arts into academic education

"Being selected as a Vincentian Fellow launched both a period of reawakening and personal examination. Surrounded by such solid and caring scholarpractitioners, it is hard not to be moved into action and advocacy when examples abound at our collective table of how to alleviate the human condition by doing what you do anyway

St. John's University

• Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Illinois, Chicago

Associate Professor

• Language acquisition and literacy particularly as it pertains to the challenges urban, poor, and/or second language learners face both in school and out of school; seeking ways to ensure equitable education for all.

"Being a Fellow has helped me to continue to make connections between my research and teaching as I search for ways to find equitable opportunities for

St. John's University

Brett Elizabeth Blake is an Associate Professor in the department of Early Childhood and Adolescent Education in the School of Education and Senior Vincentian Research Fellow. She has written several articles and has authored or co-authored seven books related to the challenges "multiply-marginalized" students face in their language and literacy learning in a society that continues to perpetuate inequitable standards for education and achievement. Dr. Blake holds an M.A. in linguistics from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

• Ph.D., Counselor Education, University of Iowa

Associate Professor

• Mentoring and the resilient behavior of disenfranchised youth

"It is truly uplifting to be part of a group of dedicated colleagues whose individual contributions ultimately leads to the shared vision of enhancing the quality of life of the poor and marginalized."

St. John's University

James S. Bethea, Assistant Professor in The School of Education, St. John's University, Department of Human Services, is a 2005 Vincentian Research Fellow.   His research interest is in critical success factors for disenfranchised youth.   Professor Bethea is the creator of a special mentoring program for the students in the Brooklyn Bridge Program. He received his M.S. from Boston University and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.