Specialist in Education Leadership
Education Leadership Faculty
Dr. Tom Buckmiller
thomas.buckmiller@drake.edu
(515) 271-4989
BA: Mount Marty College
MA: Iowa State University
PhD: Penn State University
Research interests
Native American education, nature of technology in education, non-public schools, critical pedagogy
Classes taught
The Needs of Diverse Learners; Educational Management; Research, Evaluation, Planning and Measurement; Leadership and the Profession; Professional and Personal Seminar; Clinical I & II
Administrative/Leadership experience
Principal, Sacred Heart Elementary (PreK-4) and Middle School (5-8), Yankton, SD; Board Member of South Dakota Christian Schools Association
Dr. Randal Peters
randal.peters@drake.edu
(515) 271-2082
BS: Grand Canyon University
MS: Indiana University
EdD: Drake University
Research interests
School and community wellness initiatives/impact of physical activity on cognition and student achievement, standards-based assessment and grading practices, functions and structures of Educational Service Agencies, sustainability of parochial school models
Classes taught
Professional and Personal Seminar; Leadership and the Profession; Community and Society; Systems Thinking; Clinical I & II; Foundations of Education; Models, Theories and Instructional Strategies; Professional Certification Seminar I & II
Administrative/Leadership experience
School Improvement Coordinator, Diocese of Des Moines; Principal, Holy Rosary School (PK-8), Seattle, WA; Principal, Holy Trinity School (PK-8), Des Moines; Iowa Child Welfare Advisory Board Member (co-chair, education subcommittee).
Dr. Elaine Smith-Bright
elaine.smith-bright@drake.edu
(515) 271- 1993
BA: Drake University
MA: Iowa State University
EdD: Drake University
Research interests
Leadership, case-in-point teaching strategy
Classes taught
Professional and Personal Seminar; Leadership and the Profession; Instruction and Learning; Organization and System Behavior; Managing Schools; Clinical I & II.
Administrative/Leadership experience
Principal, Norwalk Middle School (6-8); Principal, Indian Hills Junior High, West Des Moines (7-8); Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources (Central Office), West Des Moines; Director of Leadership Development, School Administrators of Iowa.
Dr. Jan Walker
jan.walker@drake.edu
(515) 271-3719
BA: College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
MA: University of Northern Iowa
PhD: Iowa State University
Research interests
Instructional leadership, parent involvement, social justice.
Classes taught
Personal and Professional Assessment Seminar; Instruction and Learning; Community and Society; Diversity in Schools; Supervising Instruction; Clinical I & II; Ethics and Social Justice.
Administrative/Leadership experience
Principal PK-8, St. Pius X, Urbandale; Principal K-6, Northwood Elementary, Ames; Curriculum Director, North Polk Community School District, Alleman; Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Southeast Polk Community School District, Pleasant Hill.
