Education Faculty



Thomas (Tom) J. Diana

, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education

Phone: (315) 792-3210
Office: 126 DePerno Hall

Thomas J. Diana, Jr. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Utica College. He received his Ph.D. in Science Education and M.S. in Science Education from Syracuse University, and his B.S. in Biology from Utica College. Thomas's research and scholarship activities focus on science teacher development at both the preservice and inservice levels. He teaches both the early childhood and adolescent science methods courses at UC.


Laura Dorow

, Ed.D.
Professor of Education

Phone: (315) 792-3311
Office: C130 Library Concourse

Dr. Laura Dorow, Associate Professor of Education, teaches children's literature, elementary methods, and applied behavior analysis courses. She also serves on the board of the New York State Association of Teacher Educators.


Mary J. Drucker

, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education

Phone: (315) 792-3183
Office: 124 DePerno Hall

Dr. Mary Drucker, Assistant Professor of Education, received a Ph.D. in Reading and Language Arts from Syracuse University and a M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Masachusetts at Boston. Presently, she teaches courses in literacy development and children's literature at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Her areas of research include, but are not limited to: second language acquisition, early literacy acquisition, and school reform, especially in the area of literacy instruction. ...More About Mary J. Drucker


Lois A. Fisch, Ph.D.

Lois A. Fisch

, Ph.D.
Professor of Education

Phone: (315) 792-3815
Office: C129 Library Concourse

Lois A. Fisch is an Associate Professor of Education, Director of Education, and Director of Education and the Institute for Excellence in Education at Utica College. She is a member of the Executive Board of the New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the Board of Directors of the Learning Disability Association of the Mohawk Valley. Dr. Fisch earned her B.Ed. in Biology and Education at Wisconsin State College-Whitewater, her M.Ed. in Generalist-Gifted Education at National-Louis University, and her Ph.D. in Educational Processes at Northwestern University. She has been published recently in The Educational Forum and, along with Dr. Laura Dorow, has written "Individualized Education Plan (IEP)" in Including Children with Special Needs: A Handbook for Educators and Parents. ...More About Lois A. Fisch


Patrice W. Hallock

, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education

Phone: (315) 792-3162
Office: 131 Library Concourse

Dr. Patrice Hallock, Assistant Professor of Education, studied social studies secondary education at State University College, Oneonta, NY, and at Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH. Dr. Hallock studied early childhood special education at the University of Tennessee and at the University of New Hampshire, where she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She teaches special education methods, inclusive strategies, and childhood methods classes in the Teacher Education Program. ...More About Patrice W. Hallock


Steven J. Kalies

, Ed.D.
Associate

Phone: (315) 792-3236
Office: C128B Library Concourse

Dr. Steven Kalies is an associate professor of education at Utica College. He teaches graduate courses in Foundations of Education and Data Based Decision Making. He received his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Albany in Albany, NY. He also has a M.S. from SUNY Albany and a B.A. in Physical Science from SUNY Oswego in Oswego, NY. Dr. Kalies began his teaching career as a math teacher in Huntington Beach, California and then entered administration. He has been a principal, assistant superintendent, and Superintendent. He was recently District Superintendent of the Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison BOCES. Dr. Kalies? interests include curriculum and leadership. He has presented and served as a consultant on how schools, as organizational systems, can be restructured to increase student learning.


Alicja Rieger

, Ph.D.
Assoc. Professor Education

Phone: (315) 792-3721
Office: C131 Library Concourse

Dr. Alicja Rieger, Associate Professor of Education, received her Ph.D. in special education from Syracuse University, and her M.A. degree in special education from Cracow Pedagogical University in Poland. She is currently teaching courses in both the regular and special education teacher preparation programs. Her areas of research include, but are not limited to, family's experiences of humor and disability, general and inclusive education in Poland and USA, supervision and cognitive coaching, and culturally responsive teaching. ...More About Alicja Rieger


Laurence G. Zoeckler

, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education

Phone: (315) 792-5280
Office: C132 Library Concourse

Laurence Zoeckler teaches cuorses in secondary teaching methodologies, advanced English methods, and graduate research methods for education. He received his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana University Bloomington and holds Master's Degrees in English literature from Syracuse Iniversity and Religious Studies from St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY. His past teaching experience includes fifteen years of teaching at both the junior and senior high school levels. His areas of interest include moreal issues in grading, evaluation and assessment, and character development in adolescents. He is listed in the current edition of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." He serves on the executive board of the New York State Association of Teacher Educators.