Early Childhood Education Faculty

Ellen Ballock

Dean of School of Education
Professor of Education

Ellen Ballock started her career as a second grade teacher in Florida and then at the North Jakarta International School in the country of Indonesia. Prior to joining the Gordon College faculty in 2013, she also served as a teacher educator at Towson University in Maryland. She is passionate about the School of Education’s mission to prepare teachers, school leaders, and speech-language pathology assistants for making an impact on the individuals, ... more ➔

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Amber Adair

Instructor in Education

Amber Adair earned her Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education from Arlington Baptist University. She began her career as an Early Elementary Education teacher in Texas. After starting her family she then became the founder and director of Building Blocks Learning Center. In 2011, her family relocated to the North Shore where she began working as a Special Education teacher. Currently, she teaches in Danvers in the Full Day Special Education ... more ➔

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Liza Bento

Instructor in Education

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Alexander Conant

Instructor in Education

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Julia D'Onofrio

Instructor in Education

Julia D’Onofrio holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and early childhood education laying the foundation for her career as a kindergarten teacher. She later pursued and earned a master's degree in reading intervention. Julia assumed the role of Director of Student Services in a private K-8 school, initiating services for students with learning disabilities and providing professional development support for teachers. Licensed in ... more ➔

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Abigail Downing

Lecturer in Education

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Kylie Felix

Instructor in Education

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Kimberly Leonard

Associate Professor Education

Kimberly Leonard, Class of 1989 (Sociology), is licensed in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Reading, and English as a Second Language. Kim has been in the field of education for over 20 years. She has experience within all four disciplines and currently serves as Elementary Education Coordinator for Georgetown Public Schools and consults as a reading specialist at Covenant Christian Academy. She has seven years of ... more ➔

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Priscilla Nelson

Richard F. Gross Endowed Professor

Priscilla Nelson, Class of '74, returned to Gordon's Education Department after twenty years of combined experience as a public school classroom teacher, an elementary Christian school principal, and an adjunct professor at Gordon. Priscilla pursued advanced study at Boston University and the University of Massachusetts. This enables her to prepare teachers of reading using the most recent scientifically based research. She served as a ... more ➔

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Ashley Whitney

Teaching Professor Education

Ashley holds a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education and History as well as an M.Ed. in Education Curriculum and Development from Gordon College.  She has a broad range of experience as she has taught in private and public school settings as an elementary classroom teacher and Innovation/STEAM specialist.  She brings her love for learning and teaching to Gordon as a Teaching Professor and Practicum Supervisor for seniors in their practicums. ... more ➔

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