A&M International Faculty Headed to Disneyland

Halloween at Disneyland may not sound very academic, but that is just where two Texas A&M International University associate professors are headed.

At the Annual Conference of the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE), held October 31 in Anaheim, Calf., Dr. Patricia Lozano and Dr. Linda Medearis will present their paper entitled "Advocacy For Learner Centered Teaching."

The paper discusses the results of their Early Childhood Education (ECE) survey class, where the utilization of learner centered teaching yielded excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills from the students.

Medearis, who is also the associate dean of the College of Education, explained that learner centered teaching is about allowing the students to take an active role in shaping their education. The paper highlights a handout students created in their ECE class. The handout was designed to educate parents about the importance of play for young children.

"Departmental faculty were amazed and delighted with the critical thinking and problem solving these sophomore pre-service ECE students exhibited. Trusting the learners and bestowing them with autonomy was richly rewarded through this activity," Medearis said.

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