Ed.D. Articles

By Dr. Kara Bratton
Posted on 1/28/2025 - 8 minute read

Dr. Kara Bratton serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Education in the doctoral programs at Concordia University Irvine, teaching special education and research classes and working as a dissertation chair.  Previously, she was a special education director for 11 years and spent 11 years teaching K-8 special education in Lutheran Schools .  Kara also serves on the board of directors for the Indiana Non-public Education Association and is co-author of Resilient Minds: Christ-centered Mental Health Curriculum, which is available from Concordia Publishing House.

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Posted on 7/17/2023 - 1 minute read

“This is a huge opportunity for Concordia,” says Dr. Belinda Karge, professor of education and the chair of the special education specialization in the Doctor of Education program. “Typically, this task would go to a private evaluation firm. For us to have the chance to do this is huge. We will be affecting policy.”

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By Magazine Editorial Team
Posted on 11/1/2020 - 6 minute read

Dr. Reyes Gauna, Ed.D. ’18, grew up working in the orchards near Lodi, picking cherries and other fruit alongside his parents who were emigrants from Mexico. Recently, Gauna earned his doctorate in education from Concordia University Irvine and now serves as a public school district superintendent near Stockton. His inspiring story has been featured on CBS News and many local news outlets.
 

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By Stuart Caldwell
Posted on 11/4/2019 - 4 minute read

When Stuart Caldwell, the new principal at Woodworth-Monroe TK-8 in Inglewood, noticed graffiti-covered tables in a classroom, he decided not to wait for work crews which were already backed up with school improvement projects.

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Posted on 10/4/2019 - 4 minute read

Nnenna has been working in Special Education her entire career. In her most current position as a Program Specialist for a large urban school district, she is actively involved with teachers, administrators, and parents in meeting the needs of the children with special needs in her district.

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Posted on 10/4/2019 - 4 minute read

Long before Concordia, as a teacher and administrator, Vendetta had a passion for being a voice for the children in her school district and was particularly vocal about the fact that the children weren't reading and writing at acceptable levels. Her time at Concordia University Irvine served to deepen her passion with respect to this issue, and has motivated her to continue working in her  community to improve literacy.

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Posted on 10/4/2019 - 4 minute read

Most of us cringe when we think of spending a full day with middle schoolers, but not Vonda. She has always had a heart for adolescents and a passion for equality and equity. That combination has made this middle school science teacher a powerful force for change on her large urban middle school campus where she is educating her entire community on culture and the need for understanding one another.

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Posted on 10/4/2019 - 5 minute read

LaVonne has been sticking up for the underdog her whole life. Long before she came to Concordia she was passionate about standing against injustice and standing up for those who don’t have a seat at the table or who have been looked at as “less-than.” She currently works with university students implementing restorative practices in higher education. She credits her Concordia experience for challenging and evolving her and her fellow students into not only better citizens but better community leaders and all around better educators.

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Posted on 10/4/2019 - 4 minute read

For as long as she can remember Corinna always wanted to be an educator. But growing up as the daughter of a teacher, it wasn’t always easy to distinguish between where her mother’s dream ended and hers began. It wasn’t until she stepped out of classroom teaching  and into Administration that this calling became her own. Today Corinna works at the District Office of a large urban school district impacting teachers and administrators to impact students. She credits Concordia with giving her the tools to successfully make this transition which she says has solidified why she chose to be an educator.  “This work is good food for the soul.”

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