Our Faculty

Nienhusser Joins AERA Books Editorial Board, 2018-2022

Posted on by

Congratulations to HESA’s Dr. H. Kenny Nienhusser who recently accepted a four year term serving on the AERA Books Editorial Board.

The Books Editorial Board presides over the books publishing program of the association and enables the association to serve as a publisher of books of excellence and importance to the research community, and to practitioners and policymakers interested in education research. AERA publishes works to advance knowledge, to expand access to significant research and research analyses and syntheses, and to promote knowledge utilization.  The Books Editorial Board is an eight person committee who will serve as the board of advisors for books and book series.

Fall 2018 Faculty Appointments

Posted on by

Editor’s Note: This story has been altered from its original form.  The original story, written by Stefanie Dion Jones, appeared on the UConn Neag School of Education website on August 20, 2018.

EDLR welcomes two new faculty members effective August 23rd. Read more about the new faculty hires below!

Gerardo Blanco joins the Department of Educational Leadership as an assistant professor in the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program. Previously, Blanco served as an assistant professor in the higher education doctoral program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He earned his Ed.D. in 2013 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also has served as a summer visiting assistant professor since 2016 at Shaanxi Normal University in China. His research and teaching interests focus on quality assurance and internationalization in higher education.

H. Kenny Nienhusser arrives as an assistant professor in HESA as well. He joins the Neag School from the University of Hartford, where he served as an assistant professor in the doctoral program in educational leadership since 2012. He has more than 15 years of professional experience in student and academic affairs at several types of higher education institutions. His research and teaching interests include implementation of public and institutional policies that affect underserved students’ high school-to-college transition; higher education policy; and undocu/DACAmented students. Nienhusser earned his Ed.D. at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2011.

Gerardo Blanco joins the Neag School as an assistant professor in the HESA program. (Photo courtesy of Gerardo Blanco) H. Kenny Nienhusser joins the Neag School’s HESA program from the University of Hartford. (Photo courtesy of Kenny Nienhusser)

PK-3 Leadership Program’s Instructor: Kerry Jones

Posted on by

This July, Kerry Jones, Director of Elementary Education for West Hartford Public Schools, returned to successfully facilitate the first module of Neag’s 2018-2019 PK-3 Leadership Program. The module, entitled Curriculum and Instruction, covers a diverse range of topics and brings together a team of experts to help participants dig deeper into curricular design for the PreK-3 level.

Kerry Jones headshot
Kerry Jones, Director of Elementary Education for West Hartford Public Schools and PK-3 Leadership Instructor.

Jones’ background in the field of PreK-3 education is both remarkable and extensive. She is now in her sixth year as Director of Elementary Education for West Hartford Public Schools, where she is responsible for PreK-5 curriculum, instruction, and professional development, as well as for K-12 reading intervention. In 2013, she completed the UConn Neag School of Education’s Executive Leadership Program. She holds a Master’s degree in Language and Literacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and, prior to her current position, had 5 years of experience as a building-based leader (elementary assistant principal and principal) and 15 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and teacher-leader.

On top of her rich background in PreK-3 education, this will be Jones’ fourth year teaching in the PK-3 Leadership Program. According to Program Director Dr. Karen List, Jones is a fantastic fit for the program:

“Kerry understands adult learning. Helping educators focus on what is important in their unique setting requires a laser focus on each individual. Kerry brings this quality along with her vast expertise and enthusiasm.”

According to Jones, “Equity is a through line throughout the whole PK-3 program, and certainly the Curriculum and Instruction module.” For PreK-3 educators, said Jones, equitable instruction means a whole range of things, from dynamic learning environment design to developmentally-appropriate learning progressions to targeted allocation of resources to where needs are greatest. Jones said that the PK-3 Leadership Program’s small group cohort model allows for authentic conversations about the challenges of implementing and sustaining quality, equitable PK-3 education.

One of the program’s most valuable offerings, said Jones, is the opportunity to widen the tapestry of support with other educator-leaders. “Leaders in the PK-3 program gain a foundation and meaningful connection with educators across Connecticut,” said Jones. She noted that in her own career those connections and mentors who “both strengthen you and provide the tough advice when you need it” have been invaluable.

Effective leadership at the PreK-3 level is crucial, said Jones. “If you’re just going from fire to fire to fire, you’ll end up burnt out. You have to step away and look at things systemically, strategically.” The 2018-2019 PK-3 Leadership Program creates a space to balance the micro and the macro, said Jones. “It inspires educational leaders to facilitate reflection, dialogue, and action within their own settings and communities.”