Davenia J. Lea

Education

• PhD, M.ED and BS University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Areas of Expertise

Culturally Responsive teaching and learning practices, 21st century teaching and learning, Habits of Mind, Personalized Learning, Curriculum Design

Biography

I am a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a doctorate in early childhood and special education. I’ve served as an early interventionist for 10 years in a public school system after which I pursued a career in higher education at Towson University then Washington Adventist University where I served as chair of the Education Department and Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. For 6 years I served as the Director of Education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church where I was responsible for curriculum development, school accreditation, and program development with respect to early childhood education and inclusion. I currently serve as an associate professor as well as the Elementary Education Program Coordinator at Bowie State University.

I have published in professional journals as well as having written a chapter on culturally responsive practices in research for the book Cultural Reciprocity in Special Education. I have also traveled extensively and have worked with educational organizations in Rwanda, Ghana, New Zealand, Finland, Australia, South Africa, and throughout the Caribbean.

My areas of interest and expertise are culturally responsive pedagogy; engaging marginalized families; global education; 21st Century Teaching and Learning Practices; as well as Inclusion and Personalized Learning.

Research Interests

Engaging children and families from disadvantaged communities, Community Building, Effective teaching practices

Service Interests

Empowering women, supporting private school educators, trauma informed care in crisis

Memberships / Affiliations

NAFS