Name: |
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Peggy Burke, Ed.D.
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Academic School: |
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School of Education
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Academic Department: |
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Education
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Titles/Responsibilities: |
Associate Professor, Education
Dean of the School of Graduate Studies Associate Provost
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Contact Information: |
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Office Location/Hours: |
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Hopkins Hall, 223
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Academic Degrees: |
- Ed.D., Curriculum Planning, State University of New York at Buffalo
- MSED, Advanced Teacher Education, St. Bonaventure University
- B.S., Biology, St. Bonaventure University
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Accomplishments: |
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I received a National Merit scholarship that provided the financial wherewithal for me to pursue higher education. I completed my doctoral studies while holding a full-time position and raising five children.
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Teaching Philosophy: |
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My earliest days in the teaching profession were as a science teacher, and as such I developed a firm belief in a constructivist philosophy. This philosophy builds upon the central belief that the learner “constructs” his/her own knowledge base, and of course as a science teacher I planned lessons that set up experiences to facilitate student learning. It is tremendously exciting to watch students construct knowledge and then truly own it. It is so much more powerful than rote learning.
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Current Research Interests/Projects: |
My current major research interest is focused on quality teacher preparation. Teacher education takes a lot of hits from all sectors of society whenever there are economic, political or social issues. According to the media clamor, the teachers, and teacher educators, must not be doing the job. (I have to point out that the reverse never happens when things are going well.)
Because education is so politicized, outside forces shape what happens in the schools, including the mandating of practices that educators know to be unsound. There is tremendous need for research that documents the complexity of the art and science of both teaching and teacher preparation.
My second research interest lies in the potential value of social entrepreneurship as a way to connect to the original purpose of schools as a socializing medium for our citizens and communities. I am examining the connections between this movement and the early work of John Dewey and the role of education in a democratic society.
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Other Interests/Community Involvement: |
My extracurricular interests are many and varied. Reading is at the top of the list – I could quite happily sit around reading books and not do anything else. Balance is a good thing, however. In that vein I also have the following interests: - Fiber arts. I spin fiber and enjoy knitting, crocheting and sewing. I am an experienced quilter and have completed 17 quilts thus far.
- I love to bake, although I do not do it as often as I’d like.
- I enjoy gardening, but always have a beautiful garden at the beginning of the summer that ends up getting away from me by the end. Weeds have their own place in the world though, so it all works out.
- I’m very interested in politics and am a bit of a news junkie.
- And in the spirit of saving the best for last, my children and grandchildren are a central part of my life. I’m probably not the first grandma to think my grandchildren are the best! They certainly bring me a great amount of joy.
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Additional Biographical Information: |
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Dr. Burke is a native of Allegany, N.Y., and still lives in her hometown.
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