Jerard Stephenson of Livingston, N.J., Earns Doctorate in Educational Leadership at College of Saint Elizabeth

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Jerard Stephenson

MORRISTOWN, NJ (04/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Jerard Stephenson of Livingston, N.J., has successfully defended his dissertation at the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), 2 Convent Road, Morristown, N.J., to earn his doctorate in educational leadership. Stephenson's dissertation is entitled, "The Use of Common Planning Time in ABC Middle School Academic Teams." His dissertation explores the use of middle school academic team common planning time. Additionally, this research studies the collaboration of interdisciplinary team teachers on curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

"This program helped me grow as a person and as an educator," said Stephenson. "The dedicated professionals at CSE challenged and nurtured me as a student. The journey I have been on, though arduous, has better prepared me to take on the educational challenges of today and tomorrow."

Stephenson, who is currently principal of North Plainfield High School, a 7-12 school in North Plainfield, N.J., has been an educator for more than fifteen years. He has taught high school social studies and worked as a high school assistant principal. He received a Masters of Arts in School Administration from Kean University in Union, N.J. Mr. Stephenson currently resides in Livingston, N. J.

The doctoral program at CSE, which is dedicated to preparing leaders who are committed to social justice and ethical practice, began in August 2007. "Integrated into all course work and learning activities are the central values and beliefs necessary for school leaders to function as morally purposeful stewards for their school communities," states Dr. John Crews, CSE educational leadership program chair. "This philosophy of servant leadership represents a major shift from the traditional paradigm of school leaders as managers of resources, which is so prevalent in today's practices."

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey, the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls more than 1,500 full- and part-time students in more than 25 undergraduate, 10 graduate and two doctoral degree programs; an Ed.D.in educational leadership and a Psy.D. in counseling psychology. For information on other activities or programs, visit the College of Saint Elizabeth web site at www.cse.edu.