Faculty List

Peggy A. Thelen, Ph. D.

Chair and Associate Professor of Education
Joined Alma College Faculty in 2004
SAC 239
(989) 463-7202

Education

  • Ph.D., Family and Child Ecology, Michigan State University (2004)
  • M. A., Elementary Administration, Central Michigan University (1998)
  • B. S., Elementary Education, Central Michigan University (1990)
  • B. S., Business Administration, Central Michigan University (1980)

Research Interests

Early Literacy, Early Childhood Education

Recent Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Early Childhood.  EDC 183.
  • Involving Parents and Community in Education..  EDc 282.
  • Child Development and Education..  EDC 203/203.
  • Child Development and Learning: Birth-Age 8.  EDC 281.
  • The Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers.  EDC 283.
  • Curriculum and Methods in Early Childhood.  EDC 383.
  • Diverse Learners.  EDC 100.
  • Child Development and Education.  EDC 230/203.

Selected Articles

Selected Reviews

Recent Presentations

  • Dr. Elizabeth Cameron.  "Children with Food Allergies: Best Practices in Early Childhood Programs."  Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children.  Grand Rapids, MI.  April 4 & 5, 2013.
  • Dr. Elizabeth Cameron.  "Keeping children safe: Adressing food allergy issues and concerns."  National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Atlanta, Georgia.  November 10, 2012.
  • Dr. Elizabeth Cameron, Anne Ritz, Caitlin Hamstra.  "A Collaboration in the Pursuit of Civic Engagement Through Service Learning."  Intercultural Horizons Conference 2012.  New York City, New York.  October 4, 2012.
  • "English Language Workshop: Reading Realities in the College Classroom."  Advanced Reading for International Students.  English Language Institute, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI.  April 3, 2012.
  • Michigan Delegation of MiAEYC Representatives.  "2012 NAEYC Public Policy Forum."  U. S. Senators and Representatives.  Washington D. C..  February 28-29.
  • Dr. Lynda Ludy.  "Yes! Early Learning Does Pave the Path to College Doors and Beyond."  2012 Annual Conference of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters.  Alma, MI.  March 2, 2012.
  • See More...

Awards, Honors, Recognitions

Professional Memberships

  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Society for Research in Child Development
  • National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
  • Michigan Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • Society for Research in Child Development
  • Michigan Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
  • National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
  • Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Society for Research in Child Development
  • National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
  • Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
  • Society for Research in Child Development
  • Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • Michigan Reading Association
  • Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • National Council for Teachers of Mathematics
  • Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning
  • Society for Research in Child Development
  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • Michigan Reading Association
  • Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
  • National Council for Teachers of Mathematics
  • Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning
  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children

Service to the College

Service to the Community

Service to the Profession

Other Professional Activities

 

Alma College students have the ability to design their own area of academic concentration—with the assistance of a faculty advisor—to meet specific educational or career goals. In recent years, students have graduated with Programs of Emphasis majors in such fields as arts management, archaeology and anthropology, environmental policy and community advocacy, Foreign Service and international law, and music technology and digital media.

 

Student Profile

Mercy Bourdet

Mercy Bourdet
Graduation: 2014
Major: Anthropology

A Posey Global Fellowship gave Mercy Bourdet the opportunity to make her lifelong dream of traveling to Africa a reality. It also changed her life.

“I taught classes at a school in Ghana that is supported by Literacy Beyond Borders,” she says. “Though I really enjoyed teaching, I realized interacting with the people and learning about their daily lives was my true passion. Anthropology is what I’m meant to major in.”