Lisa Buckler has taught in McDaniel’s Reading Specialist program since earning her master’s degree from it in 2006. Recently, she led the development of the new Early Childhood Education major and is teaching the first-ever Early Childhood Education course at McDaniel to prepare students for Pre-K classroom practicum placements in Carroll County Public Schools. She earned a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Psychology from Hood College, a Reading Recovery Certificate from Mount St. Mary’s University, and an M.S. from McDaniel’s Reading Specialist program.
What first drew you to teaching children’s literacy, and then to support graduate and undergraduate students in becoming teachers?
I was given the opportunity to train as a reading interventionist early in my teaching career, which inspired my love of working with young students to accelerate their literacy learning. It’s amazing to see the progress that kindergarten students can make with daily focused instruction that is aligned with their individual needs. In my career as an educator, few experiences have matched the satisfaction of witnessing the breakthrough moments when a kindergarten student learns to read. However, sharing in the joy of a young teacher reflecting on her own influence on student learning is truly remarkable. My passion for educating teacher candidates is grounded in my belief that a teacher’s impact has the power to change a student’s life.
You have taught in McDaniel’s graduate Reading Specialist program for more than 15 years. What do you like most about the program?
I love working with experienced teachers who are passionate about literacy instruction. The coursework prepares candidates for literacy leadership in roles as expert classroom teachers, team leaders, interventionists, or reading specialists. The program equips teachers to impact literacy learning for individual students, but also to lead positive change in literacy instruction in their school community.
What are you looking forward to about teaching in the Early Childhood Education program?
I’m looking forward to collaborating with students, faculty, and community partners to enhance the quality of early childhood education. I’m excited to work with future educators to shape the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that will prepare them to address the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of young learners. McDaniel has a long-standing reputation for preparing excellent teachers, and I’m honored to be a part of expanding our reach to the field of early childhood. I hope that the classroom and practicum experiences for McDaniel’s future early childhood educators inspire them to advocate for equity, developmentally appropriate practice, and play-based learning in early childhood settings.
