Education

vbarnes@lagrange.edu

706-880-8646

Dr. Colby Jones joined the Education Department as an assistant professor in August 2016.  Prior to becoming a member of the faculty at LaGrange College, he taught courses at Southern Union State Community College and Auburn University.  He also served Auburn University as an internship supervisor for secondary social studies student teachers during their internships. Before working in higher education, Dr. Jones taught history, religion, and AP Psychology courses at Troup High School in LaGrange.

Dr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (General Social Science) from Auburn University as well as a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from LaGrange College.  He completed his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teaching at Auburn University in 2016.  As part of this program, he completed a dissertation focused on teachers’ short- and long-term fidelity to teaching philosophies and practices encountered during their undergraduate experiences. Some of the results of this research were published in The Journal of Social Studies Research in 2018.  He has also been published in Social Studies Research and Practice and has presented at state and national education conferences.  His research interests include support of teachers during the induction period, bullying, problem-based historical inquiry, and Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW).

In addition to teaching courses in the undergraduate, MEd, and MAT programs, Dr. Jones teaches in the TESOL minor/major program.  He also works with the undergraduate research program in the Education Department and supervises the field experiences of MAT candidates seeking certification in social studies/history at the middle and high school levels.  When he isn’t teaching or working in any of these capacities, he can be found spending time with his wife and son or reading Marvel comics. 

Assistant Professor of Education

rcjones@lagrange.edu

706-880-8216

Dr. Livingston “Dr. D.” received his B.S. from Drexel University in Early Childhood Education, his M.Ed. from West Chester University in Elementary Education and his doctorate in Curriculum Studies from Georgia Southern University. Dr. D. joined the LaGrange College community in 2001.

Dr. D. has served as the President of the Georgia Association of Independent College of Teacher Education (GAICTE) twice and once as President of the Georgia Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (GACTE). He has also served as the President of the Georgia Educational Research Association and was co-editor of the association’s journal, The Georgia Educational Researcher. In 2017, Dr. D. was awarded the Cindi Chance Award for lifetime achievement to teacher preparation in Georgia.

His research interests include expanding curriculum theory, teaching for diversity and global engagement. In addition to teaching a wide variety of courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programs, Don along with his wife, Dr. Sharon Livingston, sponsor study away courses in Thailand, Costa Rica, Greece, and for the 2020 January Semester, a study away course in New Zealand.  

Professor of Education

dlivingston@lagrange.edu

706-880-8017

Sharon Livingston, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Director of Assessment in the Department of Education at LaGrange College.  Dr. Livingston received her B.S. from Drexel University, her M.S. from West Chester University, and her Ph.D. from Georgia State University.  Dr. Livingston joined the LaGrange College community in 2006.  She teaches in the areas of Research and Assessment, working with undergraduate and graduate students. 

Dr. Livingston is the past president of the Georgia Educational Research Association in addition to serving the Association’s co-editor for their on-line journal, GER.  She is the founding President of the Georgia Assessment Directors’ Association, a professional statewide organization for both public and independent institutions of higher education.  Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, and travel.

Associate Professor of Education

slivingston@lagrange.edu

706-880-8006

Dr. Gretta Milam is an Associate Professor of Education and Department Chair. Dr. Milam is an alumni of LaGrange College where she earned her B.A. and M.Ed. in Elementary Education. Additionally, Dr. Milam received an Ed.S. from Troy State University in Educational Leadership and an Ed.D. from the University of West Georgia in School Improvement. Dr. Milam teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with a primary focus on reading and educational leadership.

Prior to joining the college faculty in 2013, Dr. Milam worked for Troup County Schools. She taught kindergarten and 1st grade at Rosemont Elementary, served as Instructional Specialist and Principal at Whitesville Road Elementary, and as Principal at Ethel Kight Elementary.

Dr. Milam is the proud Gigi of four sweet grand children. She enjoys crafts, reading, and baking in her free time.

Associate Professor of Education, Chair of Education Department

mwright@lagrange.edu

706-880-8203

lperry2@lagrange.edu

706-880-8202

Vicki Thrailkill Pheil joined the Education Department in June 2007. Prior, she taught sixth grade language arts and science in the Troup County School System for almost ten years. She is a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards National Board Certified Teacher in the field of Early Adolescence English Language Arts. Vicki earned her B.A. in Middle Grades Education and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from LaGrange College, and an EdD at Columbus State University. Vicki is the advisor to the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society and the academic advisor to the Master of Arts in Teaching program candidates. She has been an active member of the Georgia Field Directors Association since 2008, serving in numerous roles.

Assistant Professor of Education

vpheil@lagrange.edu

706-880-8584

Alda, A. (2017). If I understood you, would I have this look on my face? My adventures in the art and science of relating and communicating. New York, NY: Random House LLC.

Banta, T.W., & Palomba, C.A. (2015).  Assessment essentials: Planning, implementing, and improving assessment in higher education (2^nd ed.).  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Chambliss, D.F., & Schutt, R.K. (2019). Making sense of the social world: Methods of investigation (6^th ed.).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Couros, G. (2015). The innovator’s mindset:  Empower learning, unleash talent, and lead a culture of creativity.   San Diego, CA:  Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.

Dreyer, B. (2019). Dreyer's English: An utterly correct guide to clarity and style. New York, NY: Random House.

Gannon, K. M. (2020). Radical hope: A teaching manifesto. West Virginia University Press.

Robinson, K. (2016).  Creative Schools:  The grassroots revolution that’s transforming education.  NewYork, NY:  Penguin Books.

Sadowski, M.  (2016).  Safe is not enough: Better schools for LGBTQ students.  Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.

Safir, S. (2017). The listening leader: Creating the conditions for equitable school transformations. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley and Sons.

Sheninger, E. (2016).  Uncommon learning:  Creating schools that work for kids.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Stake, R. E. (2006). Multiple case study analysis. New York: Guilford Press.

Suskie, L. (2009). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide (2^nd ed.).  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Westover, T. (2018). Educated: A memoir. New York, NY: Random House. 

Wineburg, S. (2018).  Why learn history (when it’s already on your phone).  Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

Each year in March in conjunction with the Lafayette Society of Performing Arts, the campus welcomes storytellers and visitors from across the US for a weekend of storytelling festivities. For more information, please click the link below:

Azalea Storytelling Festival

This 20-day experience takes you to the international city of Bangkok before traveling into the northern regions of Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao) and Chiang Rai). Discover how art and play are universal languages when interacting with the children of Thailand. Learn about a completely different culture on the other side of the world. Activities include cultural orientation and development of art project ideas prior to departure; one week of service to hill tribe children by teaching through the arts; evenings and weekends are open for visiting temples, shopping, and exploration; zip-lining and a visit to an elephant sanctuary are planned activities.

Walk in the footsteps of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in Athens to learn how their ideas on education are still relevant today. Then travel to Peloponnese to learn about the first Olympic Games and grasp the complexities of ancient Greek societies through excursions to historical archaeological sites.

Why do some cultural groups seem to do better in societies, while others do not? Although Maoris and Polynesians are culturally similar, Maoris, a conquered indigenous people, do less well in New Zealand society than Polynesian immigrants who voluntarily settled there. What might we learn about our U.S. society through a 20-day immersion experience with Maoris, Polynesian immigrants, and the New Zealanders of British and Irish ancestry? Our course illuminates key terms such as dominant culture, involuntary minorities, and voluntary immigrants as concepts to learn how power operates through cultural identities; and what impact an oppositional identity has on academic performance, relative social status, and economic prosperity. 

Experience a full cultural and educational immersion by spending 16 days working with and for the wonderful people in the beautiful country of Costa Rica.  This Servant Leadership themed course will provide opportunities to serve while elevating Spanish language skills and working alongside the United Methodist Church and missions organizations with possible church/school programs and construction.  On weekends we will enjoy days off to travel to volcanoes, hike in the mountains and relax on the beautiful beaches. All majors are welcome.  Costa Rica is a country of great beauty and need...the perfect place to spend a January  serving and learning in a way you’ll never forget.