BA Elementary Education K-6, K-8

Overview

In this professional educator preparation program, you will take a deeper study of the foundations of elementary education: language, math, science, social studies, and development.

Faculty

• Morris, Jessica

  Assistant Professor, Education
  Office: CEI 207, Henniker Campus
  Phone: 603.428.2937
  Email: jmorris@nec.edu

  Expertise, Awards, and Achievements

  Expertise:

  • Curriculum frameworks to support experiential learning and online pedagogy
  • Effects of trauma on the adolescent brain and social and emotional curriculum at the K–12 level
  • Integrated curriculum writing

  Certifications:

  • State Board of Education: New Hampshire Experienced Educator
  • Secondary English, Grades 5–12
  • General Special Education, Grades K–12

  Awards and Grants:

  • 2021 Tamar March Fund for Professional Development
  • 2018 Duncan-Jenkins, National Junior Honor Society Grant
  • 2015 New Hampshire Humanities Council Grant
  • 2015 Duncan-Jenkins Trust, Experiential Enrichment Grant
  • 2014 Duncan-Jenkins Trust, Student Enrichment Grant
  • 2013 Duncan-Jenkins Trust, Experiential Education Grant
  • 2012 Duncan-Jenkins Trust, Integrated Education Grant
  • 2011 Classroom Technology Mini-Grant
  • 2011 Duncan-Jenkins Trust, Thematic Education Grant
  • 2010 Duncan-Jenkins Trust, Special Education Grant
  • 2009 River Valley Community College Educational Partnership Grant

  Educational Background
  EdD in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership; Northeastern University
  MEd in Secondary English Education and Special Education, New England College
  BA in English, New England College
  AS in General Studies, New Hampshire Technology Institute

  Research Interests

  • The effects of trauma on the developing brain in conjunction with social and emotional curriculum strategies at the K–12 level
  • Communication efforts in rural school districts
  • Integrated and experiential curriculum and online pedagogy

  Bio
  Dr. Jessica Morris initially came to NEC as an undergraduate student nearly 20 years ago. After many years teaching in the public school system, including an alternative education program, as a special education case-manager and spending most of her career as a middle school English teacher, she rejoined the NEC family as an adjunct professor in 2012 and as full-time faculty in 2018 upon the completion of her doctoral work at Northeastern University.

  Dr. Morris has been an active member on the teacher certification team over the past two years, working on the reaccreditation process in all State of New Hampshire teacher licensure areas. Dr. Morris is also the current advisor for NEC’s chapter, Alpha Kappa Epsilon, under Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education.

  During her time as a public-school teacher, Dr. Morris developed several experiential and integrated learning curriculums. Much of the research for this work came from her time spent working in conjunction with many of America’s historic national parks. Some of these units included community-based service-learning through forestry and sustainability, geomythology, and combating nature deficit disorder through the study of transcendental literature.

  She is active in her community, participating in many volunteer activities including The Daughters of the American Revolution, The Living History Event, and is currently serving on the School Administrative Unit #34 school board as well as three committees. She has also coached many youth athletic teams. Outside of professional interests, she enjoys traveling with her family, is an avid watersport enthusiast, and can be found fishing—no matter the season.