Susan Verwys,
Assistant Professor
skv5@calvin.edu
(616) 526-6509
321 Spoelhof Center
Weekly Schedule
(Calvin login required)
Educational Background
- M.A., University of Chicago, 1978
- Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2009
Area: Child Development
Research Interests
- Early Language and Literacy Practices in Culturally Diverse Homes and Classrooms (Critical Literacies)
- Cultural Competencies for Teachers and Professors
- Changing Views of Kindergarten Readiness
Academic Publications
Ph.D. Dissertation Verwys, S. (2009): Navigating dialect: How three first grade Euro American teachers facilitate mainstream English learning with African American English users. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI.
Verwys, S. (2007). Teacher, teacher, tell me about the brain. Young Children, 62 (4), 97-100.
Presentations
08/12 "And How Shall We Advocate?" Calvin College Title II Professional Development Grant Conference, Calvin College.
Spring Semester, 2012: Children, Language, & Literacy book study.Calvin College Title II Professional Development Grant Conference, Calvin College.
03/12 "Meeting Standards Through Children's Interests and Resources." Oral presentation with early childhood students at the annual conference of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Conference and a poster session for the Michigan Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators.
08/11 "Promoting Self-Regulation in Students." Calvin College Title II Professional Development Grant Conference, Calvin College.
08/11 “Developmentally Appropriate and Culturally Relevant Practice.” Calvin College Title II Professional Development Grant Conference, Calvin College.
05/11 “Navigating Dialect.” Conference on Research Directions sponsored by the Institute for the Study of the African American Child in School, Wayne State University.
03/11 “Challenging Behaviors are Opportunities for Learning.” Presentation with Kristen Vanden Bosch, M.A. 2011 Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.
10/10 “Engaging Stories of Engaging Children, Rev.” Presentation with classroom teachers and early childhood students on inquiry-based projects with young children. Christian Educators Association Conference in South Bend, Indiana.
03/10 “Engaging Stories of Engaging Children.” Presentation with classroom teachers and early childhood students on inquiry-based projects with young children. 2010 Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.
03/10 “Engaging Stories of Engaging Children.” A poster session with classroom teachers and early childhood students on inquiry-based projects with young children. 2010 Michigan Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators meeting, 2010 Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.
04/08 “From Spiders to Planets: Pre-service Early Childhood Students and Young Children in Collaboration.” A poster session with the students from Educ 337, Spring Semester at Calvin College. Michigan Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators meeting, 2008 Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.
02/08 “From Spiders to Planets: Pre-service Early Childhood Students and Young Children in Collaboration” with the students from Educ 337, Spring Semester, Calvin College. Fire Up! Conference, Grand Valley State University.
Grants/Scholarships/Fellowships
08/11 - present Title II Improving Teacher Quality Literacy Grant, as part of a team directed by Jim Rooks, P.I. (Calvin College).
06/11 – present Institute for Christian Learning Grant, as part of team directed by David Smith (Calvin College) for a study guide on the documentary “A Shared Space.”
2008 Hildebrand Dissertation Fellowship, Dept. of FCE, MSU
Professional Memberships
Institute for the Study of the African American Child in School, Wayne State University
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
Michigan Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
Academic Service
Spring, 2011 Peer review of another institution’s early childhood program for the State of Michigan Department of Education
Professional Service
05/11 – present Co-chair, Grantsmanship Co., Institute for the African American Child in School
2006 - present Consultant (informal) to area early childhood programs
Education Department Service
2008 - Present Member, Facilities Committee, Education Department, Calvin College
2007- Present Member, Social Committee, Education Department, Calvin College
2007- Present Member, Undergraduate Professional Development Committee, Education Department, Calvin College. Chair, 2010/2011
Community Service
07/11 – Present Co-chair, Personnel Co., Head Start for Kent County
2009 – Present Board Member, Head Start for Kent County
Church Service
2010 – Present Children’s Worship Leader, Shawnee Park CRC
2007 - 2010 Member, Education Team, Shawnee Park CRC
