Debra Nitschke-Shaw, Ph.D.

Philosophy of teaching:
The classroom is a learning community in which all participants are valued and encouraged to learn. Learning happens in many forms and is accomplished in a variety of ways. The talents and gifts of each member of the learning community should be recognized and built upon while new talents and skills should be developed. Learning is an active process and all learners, including the instructor, must be fully engaged in order to achieve new understandings and skills. As an instructor I need to model for my students the characteristics, dispositions, and behaviors of a highly effective teacher as that is what I am hoping my students will become. Learning is not always easy, nor is it always fun, but learning should be stimulating. Learning is a journey that often takes different paths to the same destination; members of the learning community should support and encourage each other on this journey.

Special areas of expertise or research interests:
Elementary Education, Special Education, Partnership Development, Service-learning and civic engagement, Assessment, Leadership Development

Teaching background
Debra has been a faculty member at NEC for over 20 years. She has taught in the public schools (general education and special education classes), been the Chairperson of the Henniker School Board, and worked tirelessly to help students who want to become teachers achieve their goals. Her nationally recognized work in service-learning, civic engagement, and partnership development is something that she eagerly shares with her students.