Debra Zinicola, Ed.D.

Chair, Associate Professor
College of Human Development Culture and Media

Debra Zinicola specializes in Early Childhood and Elementary Education with a concentration in Elementary Science Education. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses relating to science teaching where she helps students develop and teach science lessons in their field experience classrooms. She also collaborates with faculty and advises students who are completing a second major in Environmental Studies. Each semester she hosts Project Learning Tree professional development workshops on campus for teacher candidates. She works with her colleagues to continuously improve teacher preparation courses and programs. Debra teaches courses related to child development and curriculum for undergraduate teacher candidates. Her research is grounded in science learning through conceptual change through collaboration problem solving. In addition to her work in Educational Studies, she is active on Core Curriculum Committees and teaches the first Core course, The Journey of Transformation, in the fall.