PAC-TE Officers
Dr. George Drake
Dr. George Drake has been preparing educators in Pennsylvania for over 20 years, first at West Chester University as a faculty member and associate dean, and now as Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, and School of Social Work at Millersville University. Originally from New Jersey, he taught special education there for ten years and holds NJ teacher certifications in special education, elementary education, and early childhood education. George earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, M.Ed. from The College of New Jersey, and B.S. from West Virginia University. At WCU he taught courses primarily in behavior management and severe disabilities, and he supervised 100 student teachers. As associate dean, his responsibilities were related to assessment, accreditation, curriculum, and student issues. In 2013, George received a gubernatorial nomination to represent higher education on the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission, he was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate and commissioned in April 2014. George believes in PAC-TE’s ability to advocate for educator preparation by helping Pennsylvanians understand the value of higher education-based teacher preparation and the positive impact it can have on the achievement of P-12 students. In his spare time, George enjoys travel, reading, and music.
Dr. Gwen Price
Dr. Gwe
n Price earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Bucknell University as well as teacher certiication in that field. Subsequently earning Physics certification from IUP, she taught high school Chemistry and Physics for 15 years during which time she earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. Gwen then moved to Edinboro University where she became a member of the Middle & Secondary Education Department and later served as the Director of Accreditation & Program Improvement. In the summer of 2017, Gwen joined Clarion University as the Director of the School of Education and Associate Dean for the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences. She maintains a strong commitment to program improvement through effective use of assessment and accreditation, and enjoys her participation in PAC-TE as a way to connect, learn, share, and grow.
Dr. Kevin Zook
Dr. Kevin Z
ook, a native of Lewistown, PA, earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Messiah College, and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in educational psychology from Penn State University. For three years, Kevin taught middle level mathematics and science, as well as elementary music at a private school in Arlington, Virginia, before pursuing graduate degrees. He taught for two years at Winona State University in Minnesota, ten years at Bucknell University, 11 years at Messiah College, and two years at Gannon University. At Messiah College, Kevin served as Chair of the Education Department and Certification Officer. At Gannon University he served as Director of the School of Education. In 2013 he joined Holy Family University as the Dean of the School of Education. His involvement with PAC-TE is rewarding because it has provided opportunities to connect with good people in teacher education across the state and to learn how different institutions structure their programs. When Kevin is not busy at work, he enjoys hunting, flyfishing, reading, and rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.
Dr. Joseph Domaracki
Dr. Joseph Domaracki is a native of Bethel Park, PA and currently resides in Indiana, PA. He earned a B.S.in Health Education from Slippery Rock State College in 1973. While teaching for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and working for Parkway Industries as Floor Supervisor Joe earned his M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Special Education with a specialization in Severe Disabilities from the University of Pittsburgh. Joe was on faculty at the University of Pittsburgh for six years teaching in the Program in Severe Disabilities and Coordinating the Western PA Technical Assistance Center for Supported Employment as well as a federally funded School to Work Transition Grant. In 1992 Dr. Domaracki joined the faculty in the Communication Disorders, Special Education and Disability Services Department at Indiana University of PA. While at IUP Joe served as Department Chair for 11 years and as Interim Associate Dean of Teacher Education for three years. Joe became involved with PAC-TE because he believes in PAC-TE’s commitment to improving the quality of teacher education in PA and the great opportunity PAC-TE provides its membership to network with other teacher educators across the state. In his spare time Joe enjoys traveling, working crossword puzzles, watching sports, and playing disc golf.
Dr. C. Jay Hertzog
C. Jay Hertzog earned a Bachelor's in music education and his Master's and Doctoral degrees in educational leadership from Penn State with post-doctoral studies at the University of Wyoming. He has held several positions within the K-12 environment including: elementary music teacher, director of a competitive high school marching band, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. From 1987 until his retirement in 2009, he worked in higher education as a professor at Valdosta State University (Georgia), the chair of Clinical and Professional Studies at Augusta State University (Georgia), and he retired as the Dean of Education at Slippery Rock University. In 2006, he received the “Excellence in Education Award” for distinguished contributions in education from PSU’s College of Education Alumni Society and in 2007 received PAC-TE’s “Teacher Educator of the Year Award.” Jay served as president-elect, president and past-president of PAC-TE from 2010-2016. He enjoys playing the piano and guitar, traveling, and taking trips to Europe with his grandchildren.
At-Large Directors
Dr. Jim Nolan
Dr. Nolan, a native of Archbald PA, received a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Scranton, an M.S. in Counselor Education from Marywood University and a Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State. He served as an elementary teacher, secondary teacher and guidance counselor in basic education before serving as a faculty member at Lafayette College, the University of Scranton and Penn State. He retired from Penn State in June 2015 after serving as the Hermanowicz Professor of Teacher Education and the Co-Coordinator of the Elementary Professional Development School Partnership between Penn State University and the State College Area School District. Jim has been a member of PAC-TE for more than 30 years and believes that PAC-TE is the single most important voice for high quality teacher education in the Commonwealth. He values the collegiality and friendships that he has developed with PAC-TE members from a variety of institutions. In his retirement, he is engaged in a number of volunteer activities, including his church, a local hospital, an elementary school, and Benner State Correctional Institution. He is also enjoying playing more golf.
Dr. Sally Winterton
Position: At-Large Board Member
Originally from Long Island, New York Sally has resided in Chester County, PA since 1968. She has served as Coordinator of Field Experiences in the Department of Elementary Education, a university supervisor, and as the Interim Director of the Teacher Education Center at West Chester University. Prior to joining WCU she taught elementary school and served as an assistant middle school principal, an elementary school principal, and a director of personnel in Pennsylvania public school districts. Her undergraduate degree is from Immaculata University, PA; her Masters of Education is from West Chester University; her Doctorate is from the University of Pennsylvania. Sally holds the following Pennsylvania certification: History, Comprehensive Social Studies, History and Government, Elementary, Elementary Principal, and Superintendent. Her research interests are in student teaching supervision and technology. Sally is a member of PAC-TE because of the collegiality of the members and the information shared at the the Teacher Education Assembly and Spring Conference. The PACTE publications keep her informed on state and national issues related to teacher education. Her avocation is horseback riding. When not teaching, travelling or reading, her favorite place to be is riding.
Dr. Tom Conway
Director (through May 31, 2022)
Position: At-Large Board Member
Dr. Tom Conway is Chairperson of the Teacher Education Department at Cabrini University. Dr. Conway has coordinated the Secondary Education programs. He has been Lead Faculty and Professor for the Greater Philadelphia Instructional Coach program (GPIC) and Early Learning Principal Instructional Coaching Program (ELPIC), which were both funded through PDE grants. He is currently Lead Faculty for Cabrini’s Educators’ Residency Program (ERP) that is funded through PDE’s current initiative to explore residency models for Pennsylvania. Dr. Conway serves as Co-Chair for the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Taskforce on Addressing the Needs of Cooperating/Mentor/Associate Teachers in their Practices and Roles as Mentors and Supervisors of the Novice Teacher. In addition to this taskforce, Dr. Conway is Program Subcommittee Chairperson for ATE’s 2020 Summer Conference in Washington, DC and a member of the Public Relations Committee. Dr. Conway has also participated in AACTE’s Leadership Academy. He teaches methods and content area reading courses leading to Secondary Education certification on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research areas include instructional coaching/mentoring, leadership, educational technology, and socio-cultural issues. He also serves as an Associate Editor of the Pennsylvania Teacher Educator and was the interim Co-Editor of the journal for the 2019 edition. He enjoys living in the Philadelphia region because of the variety of cultural experiences the area provides.
Dr. Stephanie Gardner
Director (through May 31, 2022)
Position: At-Large Board Member
Dr. Stephanie Gardner, a native of Bloomsburg, PA, received her B.S. in Special Education from Penn State and taught in NY & PA for 5 years as an elementary learning support and middle school life skills teacher. She earned her M. Ed. in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University followed by a Ph.D. in Special Education from Penn State. Stephanie was Assistant Professor of Education at Susquehanna University for 5 years. Currently, Stephanie is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Bloomsburg University where she primarily supervises dual certification student teachers, as well as teaches the student teaching seminar, special education orientation course to first year students, and an upper level course in positive behavior supports. Additionally, Stephanie’s research interests include pre-service teacher preparation (include technology integration) and supervision/mentoring, video modeling and prompting interventions for students with autism and intellectual disabilities, and socio-sexuality education for students with disabilities. Stephanie has found great value in not only being a member of PAC-TE since 2014 but becoming more involved in the organization through various committees, participating in Teacher Education Day in Harrisburg, and most recently, being elected to serve on the board as an At-Large Representative. Stephanie strongly sees PAC-TE as a driving voice in the field of education in our state and is grateful to serve alongside of leading advocates in the field to create ripples of positive impact for our teacher education programs, teacher candidates, and ultimately the children that we all serve.
Directors Representing State Institutions (State-related/PASSHE)
Dr. Nina Girard
Dr. Nina Girard is Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Middle/Secondary Programs Coordinator at University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown. She earned her Doctor of Education in Mathematics Education from University of Pittsburgh and Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Girard’s professional experiences include: teaching undergraduate/graduate education and undergraduate mathematics courses, supervising student teachers, in-service consulting, algebra curriculum writing, grant writing, and former Project Director of the UPJ Center for Mathematics & Science Education funded by a PDE higher education grant. Dr. Girard is a frequent presenter at NCTM/PCTM conferences and is a program reviewer for PDE. She is involved with synergistic activities including professional learning communities and STEM initiatives. Her research interests include promoting pre-service teachers’ reflection through online support and multiple representational frameworks for mathematics teaching with technology.
Dr. Kate McKinnon
Dr. Kate McKinnon lives in State College, PA, but is a native of Pittsburgh. She earned a BS in Special Education/Elementary Education from Penn State University and returned home to Pittsburgh to teach. Kate taught for several years in special education, elementary education, and Head Start, and then in early intervention as an in-home therapist, before becoming EI program director while earning her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in School Consultation. She then earned her doctorate from Pitt in early childhood special education. As a member of the special education faculty at Penn State, Kate serves as the SPLED undergraduate program coordinator and director of field experiences. For six years Kate directed an OSEP teacher preparation grant in early intervention. She enjoys teaching and supervising future teachers. Kate is currently co-chair of the Pennsylvania State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Intervention and is appointed to the Pennsylvania Technical Advisory Board for Newborn Screening.
Dr. Beth Rogowsky
Beth Rogowsky, Ed.D. has 14 years of K-12 teaching experience in both rural and urban public schools. Upon completion of her doctoral studies at Wilkes University, Dr. Rogowsky completed 3 years of postdoctoral training at the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience at Rutgers University which linked her previous teaching experience with the science of how the brain learns. Her research focuses on improving the language and literacy skills of learners from preschool through adulthood—as well as taking on such neuromyths as learning styles. Currently, Dr. Rogowsky is an Associate Professor at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in the College of Education.
Dr. Debbie Grubb
Debbie Grubb has been an employee of California University of Pennsylvania for 18 years. Her current responsibilities include the Director of Professional Education Services which duties encompass those of Director of Student Teaching and Field Experiences for all teacher education candidates. Additional duties include Data reporting for PDE, CAEP, Title II, IPEDS and synthesis of PECT and Praxis data. She is an active participant in the ongoing redesign of the education unit at Cal U. Debbie participates in team collaboration of creating and implementing the required CAEP measures on Dispositions, Clinical Practice, Action Research, Lesson Planning, and Portfolio Assessment Tools. In addition to her work duties, Mrs. Grubb is finishing studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Doctorate of Education DEd in Administration and Leadership Studies. Debbie enjoys spending free time with her husband outside in the fresh air either cycling, golfing or just relaxing by the waterside.
Directors Representing Private Institutions
Dr. Beverly Bryde
Dr. Richard Fuller
Dr. Jennifer Fisler
Jennifer Fisler serves as Professor of Education, Assistant Dean of Teacher Education, and Director of the Graduate Program in Education at Messiah College. She has an undergraduate degree in Secondary Social Studies Education from Messiah College, a master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education, and a doctorate in Educational Statistics and Measurement, both from Rutgers University. Her professional experiences include working with a non-profit agency providing educational services for children and adults including English learners, a multi-year research fellowship in a professional development school, higher education teaching in teacher education programs spanning the K-12 continuum (Educational Psychology, Instructional Design and Assessment, Professional Issues and Ethics), grant administration, curriculum development, and undergraduate and graduate program oversight. In addition to PACTE, she is a member of ASCD, PASCD, and AERA. At Messiah, she led two external grants, most recently Project Excellence, a partnership with two other institutions to implement co-teaching in the professional semester. She served on the PACTE task force that worked to develop the student teacher performance assessment that PACTE endorsed. She is a regular PACTE presenter and is also presenting in 2019 at the National Conference on Co-Teaching and the American Education Research Association (AERA).
