Melanie Johnson - undergraduate (2008)

Photo: Melanie Johnson (second from right) with her students at Iowa City's West High School.
Gretchen Jahn Bertram - Master's (2006)

The program at Iowa provided me with a strong foundation for teaching that I will use when I enter the teaching profession full-time in the not-too-distant future. I had a wonderful experience working with the faculty and staff during my time at Iowa and feel that the social studies education program there draws in some of the best and brightest students in the field. I feel honored to have been able to work with so many intelligent and talented people during my studies. Being around so many individuals who shared a passion for both teaching and learning only served to increase my love for the field. I think anyone interested in obtaining an advanced degree in social studies education would find The University of Iowa to be an excellent choice.
If you have any questions about the social studies education program at The University of Iowa, or if you would like to learn more about creating and teaching with desktop documentaries, feel free to contact me at: gretchee@gmail.com.
Photo: Gretchen Jahn Bertram with her son and daughter.
Joe Bishop - Ph.D. (1999)

I defended my dissertation on a Thursday afternoon in July, and immediately afterward drove to Madison, South Dakota for a Friday interview at Dakota State University (DSU) where I was hired to teach Social Studies and Social Foundations of Education. I was at DSU for 3 years (1999-2002) and expanded my research into the Slovak Republic and subsequently obtained a position at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in the Social Foundations of Education program (2002-present) where I also played a significant role in the development of a new PhD program in Educational Studies and the creation of a college wide committee to Internationalize the College of Education.
Since moving to EMU, I have continued my work in the post-Soviet world in Ukraine and with educators from other Central Eurasian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc. (2002-2005) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (2006) where I was a Fulbright Scholar on the Faculty of Islamic Sciences, University of Sarajevo where I lectured on Education for Active Democratic Citizenship and received a Diploma in Islamic Studies. I was promoted to Associate Professor and received tenure when I returned from Sarajevo. As many of the educators I have worked with are teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), I have been focused on expanding my knowledge, skills, and credentials in the area of linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. While on sabbatical during the fall of 2010, I was a Visiting Professor at Sumy State A.S. Makarenko Pedagogical University (Ukraine) where I lectured on Comparative Pedagogy, History of Pedagogy, Language Philosophy, and conducted practical classes of English as Foreign Language (EFL) and when I returned, I was promoted to full Professor (effective Sep 2011). In May, 2012, I will begin working in Uganda with public schools and a Colorado non-profit. I am also deeply involved in the Graduate Council on campus as well as the faculty union.
I would not be where I am today without the excellent preparation and skills I acquired at The University of Iowa and remember my time there fondly. I can be reached at joe.bishop@emich.edu.
Thomas Misco - Ph.D. (2006)

I had a wonderful academic experience in the social studies education program at The University of Iowa. Professor Gregory Hamot provided me with splendid guidance and support while writing my dissertation. I also had close, and productive, contact with Professors Peter Hlebowitsh and Bruce Fehn. I continue to enjoy close professional associations and friendship with all three of these University of Iowa faculty members. The University of Iowa, and Iowa City, were great places for me to complete my graduate education. If you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in social studies education, I suggest you take a close look at the Iowa program.
James Schul - Ph.D. (2009)

I earned a Ph.D. in social studies education in the spring, 2009. My dissertation, advised by Dr. Bruce Fehn and Dr. Kathy Schuh, was entitled Historical Practices and Desktop Documentary Making in a Secondary History Classroom. After graduating from Iowa, I became an Assistant Professor of Education at Ohio Northern University where I teach classes in social studies teaching methods and educational foundations. Currently, I live in Ada, Ohio with my wife, Christa, and daughter, Lani.
I found The University of Iowa's social studies education program to be an excellent choice for advanced graduate study. Faculty members were friendly and accessible. Iowa City is an exciting university town where my wife and I enjoyed three exciting and interesting years.
Photo: Jim Schul (right) with his advisor, Dr. Bruce Fehn, during the May 2009 Ph.D. commencement ceremony
John "Jay" Bickford - Ph.D. (2009)

I taught high school U.S. and World History at Hubbard-Radcliffe High School for a year before I accepted a position at Mid-Prairie Middle School. I taught 6th grade social studies for one year before moving up to teach 7th grade social studies, where I stayed for the next seven years. During that time, Dr. Bruce Fehn, my academic advisor, encouraged me to continue my studies in the doctoral program. When I started the Ph.D. program, I did not believe I was "doctoral material." Dr. Fehn did not share my reservations. His motivation, positive attitude, and critical support helped propel me through coursework, comprehensive exams, and into my research.

While saddened to leave the Hawkeye State, I am thrilled with the opportunity to work in a middle level education department and as a social studies teacher educator at Eastern Illinois University. In this position, I have three central teaching assignments: social studies methods; adolescents' social, emotional, and behavior development; and reading in content area for middle school. I am motivated to research social studies pedagogy and adolescents' gendered expressions. My confidence in my future success in higher education at Eastern Illinois University (and beyond) is based strongly on my experiences in the Social Studies Education Program at The University of Iowa. If you would like to contact me to discuss the social studies education program, please do not hesitate. Here is my email address: jbickford@eiu.edu.
Photos: Jay Bickford and family before graduation ceremony, and Bickford in Hawkeye huddle at Kinnick Stadium