Ron Shultz, PhD
Associate Professor of Education
91¶ÌÊÓƵ

Across the country, bilingual teachers are in short supply. This has direct implications for Dual Language programs. Professional literature also suggests that equally problematic to the recruitment of DL teachers is their retention. Multiple factors can influence a teacher’s choice to leave the DL classroom, or perhaps even the teaching profession. However, if we are to reverse this trend, greater understanding of these dynamics and an intentional effort to address the related challenges and concerns must be considered. This presentation focuses on efforts to better understand the needs and experiences of teachers in a particular DL program, while also creating opportunities for increased support, with the ultimate goal of increasing teachers’ sense of competence and longevity in their role.

Dr. Ron Shultz is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education and the Coordinator for the PK-6 Elementary Education Program at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. He also serves as the Field Placement Coordinator for the department. He earned a B.S. degree in Liberal Arts studies from 91¶ÌÊÓƵ with a PK-8 teaching certification, an M.A. in Education from Millersville University, and a Ph.D. George Mason University with a focus on teacher education and multicultural/multilingual education. Ron has been teaching in the Education Department at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ since the fall of 2011. In addition to preparing future elementary teachers, Ron’s research interests include bilingual education and culturally responsive teaching.

In this closing chapel of Spiritual Life Week, Vanessa Sandoval (senior), Kristina Showalter (Custodian with physical plant and student), Ron Shultz (professor in Education Department), and Maddie List (sophomore), share how questions, doubts, transitions, fears, and unsettledness shaped them and caused them to grow. They share how these experiences changed how they think about God and what they learned.

In this first chapel of Spiritual Life Week, Vanessa Sandoval (senior), Kristina Showalter (Custodian with physical plant and student), Ron Shultz (professor in Education Department), and Maddie List (sophomore), share about times they experienced questions, doubt, transitions, fears and unsettledness in life. They will share more on Friday as well.