GMercyU EdD Students Attend Annual Education Conference

Gwynedd Mercy University was well represented at the recent Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (PAC-TE) Conference. GMercyU had eight University representatives take part in the conference, including one student who presented research, and another who was chosen as a Graduate Assistant for the event.

Marilyn Pendelton, a GMercyU graduate student in the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program, attracted many conference attendees during her poster presentation session on "A Comparison of Family and School Staff Self-efficacy Perceptions of How to Support Grieving Early Childhood Students after Participation in an Established Practice-based Methodology." Marilyn's research aims to educate and improve how families and school staff can properly support early childhood students in their care.

GMercyU EdD student Mary Chattin was nominated by Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Master Teacher and Master's in Special Education Programs Dr. Marianne Kaemmer and selected to serve as a Graduate Assistant throughout the conference. Mary was chosen to serve through a competitive process. Mary represented GMercyU's Core Values through her service to PAC-TE, welcoming smile and problem-solving decisions. Even PAC-TE Executive Director Dr. C. Jay Hertzog was impressed, jokinly asking if GMercyU could delay Mary's graduation so she could return next year.

Additional Gwynedd Mercy University attendees of the PAC-TE Conference included Dr. Desiree' Caldwell, Dr. Heather Pfleger, Mary Jo Pierantozzi, Dr. Deborah Schadler, Dr. Mary Sortino, and Dr. William Warner.