Online Degrees

Deborah Watson
Academic Program Manager Early Childhood Education/Child Studies Program

Contact info:

Phone: 203.591.7302
Fax: 203.575.9691
Email: dwatson@post.edu

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Biography

Academic Background:

• 6th Year – Educational Leadership, University of Hartford Thesis Topic:  Social and Emotional Well-being of Young Children
• Administration and Supervision Certificate, University of Hartford
• M.S. Elementary Education, Central Connecticut State University
• Connecticut Best New Teacher Program Mentor
• Hartford Teachers’ Center:  School Law
• 30 hours of Graduate studies of the Learning Disabled and Emotionally Disturbed, Central Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford
• B.S. Elementary Education, Concentration: Reading, Central Connecticut State University

Professional Background:

Professor Watson has more than 35 years of experience in the field of education and has been teaching at the college level for 17 years. She is currently an Academic Program Manager for the Early Childhood Education/Child Studies programs at Post University. In this role, she develops and implements courses for pre-service teachers on the associate and bachelor’s levels. In addition, she manages both online and campus schedules and courses, while advising students and department faculty. Professor Watson serves on Post University’s Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Senate, and the Student Judicial Committee.

She has also been an instructor at Charter Oak State College since 2007, and was an adjunct at Post from 2009-2011. Prior to joining Post University, she was the Supervisor of Student Teachers at the University of Hartford, where she supervised seniors during their early childhood student teaching. She has also previously held several other positions including Director of Early Childhood Education at Bridgeport Public Schools, research assistant and instructor for the University of Virginia, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education in Hartford Public Schools, and an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford.

Teaching Philosophy:

Professor Watson’s philosophy of teaching is founded on the belief that ALL students can learn and those of us who have the privilege to serve them must work feverishly to help them grow and evolve to their fullest potential.  In her courses, she sees herself as a facilitator or guide whereby she implements developmentally appropriate practices that are academically challenging, multisensory and rigorous. She believes in the Chinese proverb that states, “Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” Professor Watson hopes to inspire students who are conscientious and passionate to join her in the field of early care and education and to become educators of future generations.

Professional Memberships:

• President of the Hartford Association for the Education of Young Children (HAEYC)
• Member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Who’s Who:  Empowering Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs – 2008-2009
• Certification: Professional Educator, State of Connecticut
  • PreK-Grade 8  (001) and Intermediate Administrator or Supervisor (092)

Volunteer Activities:

• 2011-current:  Education Impact Committee, United Way, Waterbury
• 2009-current: Court Appointed Special Advocate “Guardian ad Litem” for a child in Connecticut’s foster care system.
• 2005-2009: Co-chair, Success by Six – United Way, Bridgeport
• 1995-98: Hartford’s Children First Initiative – group of school and community-based leaders working to enhance the lives of Hartford’s young children and their families.  
• 1994-98: Danforth Foundation’s Superintendent’s Forum – group of school and community-based leaders working to develop a plan to enhance the lives of children (aged birth through eight) and their families. The committee was composed of representatives from the health, social services and education arenas.
• 1994: Served on town’s Equity and Diversity Task Force – represented both education and parents
• 1991-1994: District Screening Committee for the BEST program
• 1990-1994: Girl Scout Leader

Research/Academic Interests:

Professor Watson is intrigued with young children’s language and literacy development. She sees language as the gateway to literacy and literacy as the gateway to everything else life has to offer.  Her other interest is in the use of data to make informed decisions.

Publications/Presentations:

• Sept. 2008: Presenter at the CAEYC (CT Association for the Education of Young Children) 2008 Early Childhood Conference, “Pathways to Quality.”  Presentation topic: “So you think you have a great classroom environment…. But how do you know?”
• Oct. 2006: Presenter at the Stone Soup Conference in Farmington, CT.  – “Building a Future for Children:  the Path to a Community Blueprint”
• July 2004: Presenter at the Cornerstone Summer Institute in PA – Linking Assessments (particularlythe DRA) to Instruction (specifically, guided reading)
• 2001: Longitudinal Study on the Benefits of Quality Preschool Experiences toCT Association for Board of Education (CABE)and CT General Assembly Education Committee
• Nov. 1998: Co-Presenter at NAEYC’s 1998 Annual Conference in Toronto, Ontario, CanadaS