Dr. Julie Antilla joins the School of Education at SPU after nearly two decades in public education in California. Dr. Antilla worked as an elementary classroom teacher for seven years, a categorical program coordinator for three years, and a school principal for six years. For the past two years, she served as a MEd facilitator, Teacher Education Program course instructor, and doctoral teaching assistant while writing her dissertation in cultural perspectives and comparative education at UCSB. This background expertise, with teaching and supervisory experience from pre-K through graduate levels, helped prepare her for her role as the chair of undergraduate education and assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at SPU.
Dr. Antilla’s research interests include second language acquisition theories in classroom settings, supplemental learning opportunities for agriculturally migrant students, and whole-person support for children with autism. She has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences on these and related topics. She has forthcoming journal publications of her recent research studies as well.
SPU has been a part of Dr. Robin Henrickson’s life in some way ever since she began teaching. She was one of the first cohorts to complete the Professional Certification Program, then became an instructor herself. She also graduated from SPU’s Educational Leadership master’s degree program. From there, it just seemed natural to continue doctoral-level coursework while also serving as an adjunct instructor for a variety of courses in the SOE. Online learning is a specialty of hers, since she lives in Sequim, Washington.
Before coming to SPU, she worked for five years as a mathematics specialist at Olympic Educational Service District 114 in Bremerton. While there, she facilitated a number of activities that revolved around facilitating large-group, small-group, and one-on-one instructional coaching and support, as well as formative assessment courses and a variety of courses on general instructional strategies.
Dr. Henrickson says she very much looks forward to beginning a long career in higher education at SPU and continuing a program of excellence in the forum of online learning. Most important perhaps is to continue to serve Christ within a positive, supportive, and nurturing program that prepares teachers for any classroom -- always through the perspective of a Christ-centered education.
Dr. David Wicks joins the School of Education after serving 15 years as SPU’s director of Instructional Technology Services. Dr. Wicks has also been a high school teacher and basketball coach; university lecturer; school district technology facilitator; multimedia author; and division manager for an educational technology company.
His research interests include collaborative learning in online environments, the use of social media to create electronic portfolios and digital identities, and the efficacy of learning communities on instructional technology professional development. He is an associate editor on MERLOT’s Teacher Education Editorial Board, where he reviews open source learning objects and mobile apps. He will serve as conference chair for the 2014 International Symposium for Emerging Technologies in Online Learning in Dallas, which takes place two days after the NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship. The call for proposals opens in September for those who enjoy hoops with their technology.