English Language Arts (BA)
Our teacher-education program is nationally accredited by NCATE and has received exemplary ratings from the Michigan Department of Education.
Our teacher-education program is nationally accredited by NCATE and has received exemplary ratings from the Michigan Department of Education.
As a student in Madonna’s language arts program and as a prospective teacher, you receive personalized academic advising and mentoring from our staff and faculty, guiding you through the program and helping you to shape your career goals. You can expect rigorous academic work in the context of a smaller classroom where both classmates and professors know your name.
With 150 hours of clinical field experiences as part of the instruction, you will be well prepared for your capstone student teaching experience. Other great opportunities for you are engaging in research with faculty, joining the Society of Future Teachers, and studying abroad.
Maggie Wunderlich is a first-grade teacher at Orchard Hills Elementary in Novi. Her passion for teaching and love for language arts led her to pursue a post-bachelor’s teaching degree from Madonna University while she worked as an English Learner Paraprofessional in the Plymouth-Canton school district. In 2016, she attained a Bachelor of Arts with a language arts major and an elementary education minor. Her academic excellence in language arts earned her the prestigious Ernest I. Nolan Award. Similarly, she is the proud recipient of the Award for Learning Outcomes Assessment Project for her action research. She will always fondly remember her Madonna professors, especially those who were role models of exemplar educators.
When Maggie is not planning engaging and meaningful lessons for her “firsties,” including cultures around the world, text feature scavenger hunts, and flashlight reading, she loves to spend time with her family, read, write, and travel. Last summer, Maggie was thrilled to spend two weeks teaching English in Ulcinj, Montenegro, and traipsing around Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Rome, Italy. In 2019, Maggie attained a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. She is dedicated to inspiring all students to become lifelong learners and specially to love language arts.
This major prepares you for graduate studies in English and to teach at the middle and high school levels
Work toward a teaching degree while becoming well-prepared both in content-area knowledge and instructional skills
Learn developmentally appropriate ways to educate young children with instructors who are dedicated to your growth
Ph.D., Marquette University
M.A., College of St. Catherine
B.A., College of St. Scholastica
734-432-5307
Ian Bell, Ph.D., joined Madonna in 2022 as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences after 15 years as a Professor of Religious Studies during which he taught courses on Scripture, spirituality, theological ethics, and religion in film. His career in higher education has been marked by a keen interest in the value of the liberal arts and the importance of exploring questions of meaning and purpose in the context of a college education.
His research has focused primarily on the connection between spirituality and justice, especially within the framework of the theological method of the Jesuit theologian, Bernard Lonergan. More recently, he has been drawn to the writings of Henri Nouwen and studying biblical Hebrew and Greek.
Ph.D., University of Virginia
M.A., University of Virginia
B.A., Western Washington University
734-432-5558, 2434
Jeffrey Cordell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Language, Literature, Communications, and Writing. He joined the full time faculty of Madonna University in 2013 from Alma College. He completed his doctoral degree in 2008 at the University of Virginia. He teaches American and British literature.
His interests include medieval and Renaissance English literature and classical backgrounds to British and European literature. His publications include work on the idea of Christian charity in shaping Francis Bacon's _Advancement of Learning_ and, as a contributing author, an award-winning study of undergraduate library research methods.>
Ph.D., Wayne State University
M.A., Central Michigan University
B.A., Wayne State University
734-432-5659
Dr. Kathleen M. Edelmayer is a Professor of Communication. She joined Madonna University in 2003 after having been the Chair of the Humanities Division at St. Mary’s College of Ave Maria University. Previously, she was Director of Debate at Illinois State University, Assistant Director of Forensics at St. Olaf College, and Visiting Assistant Professor at Albion College. She earned a Ph.D. in Communication and a B.A. in Economics from Wayne State University. Her M.A. in Communication is from Central Michigan University.
Dr. Edelmayer teaches interpersonal communication, argumentation and persuasion, small group communication, and political campaign communication. Her research areas are religious and political communication, teaching methods, and administrative issues. She is very involved in Madonna University’s Study Abroad program, having led programs to Ireland and Poland/Prague.
She is very active in the professional community. She currently serves the National Communication Association as a member of the legislative assembly and the leadership team of the Undergraduate College and University Section of NCA. She has served as president of the Religious Communication Association, executive board member of the Central States Communication Association, and finance committee chair of the American Forensics Association.
M.A., Eastern Michigan University
B.A., Madonna University
ifracassi@madonna.edu
734-432-5558, 2434
Ioana Fracassi is an Assistant Professor in the Language and Literature Department. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Madonna and Eastern Michigan University, respectively. Her course offerings include British, American, and world literature, as well as creative writing. She is the editor of Madonna Muse, the university's literary publication, and the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award (2007).
Her most recent publications include translations from Prévert and Voltaire, as well as original poetry and fine art. In 2014 she edited Stories of Hope and Learning (ISBN 978-1-4675-8539), a collection of poetry and prose featuring young Detroit writers. Ioana lives and writes in Ann Arbor.
