Brasee Hall 528, Lancaster Campus
Dr. Debra Dunning holds the BS in Education from Bowling Green State University and the MS in Human Development and Family Relations from The Ohio State University. Dr. Dunning holds the PhD from The Ohio State University in Human Development and Family Relations where she focused on the marginalization of child care workers. Dr. Dunning is the Program Coordinator for Early Childhood and Elementary Education on the Lancaster campus. She is also the co-advisor for the Ohio Education Association Aspiring Educator student organization. Dr. Dunning received the 2019 Advisor of the Year for the state of Ohio from OEA and her organization won “Best Community Event” the same year for a toy drive for foster children in Fairfield County. Dr. Dunning’s research interests focus on teacher preparation and building mentoring relationships. Her travels to Zimbabwe, Africa have allowed her to study children in a remote village in their environment to compare developmental differences. She brings her background and travel in stories weaved throughout her teaching of courses including Child Development, Infant and Toddler and Mental Health, Diversity, Introduction to Teacher Education, Assessment and Observation, and Advanced Child Development Theories.
Research, Engagement, and Outreach interests: Student/Professional Partnership (OEA Aspiring Educators); CRISIS Schooling; Pandemic Parenting; Preschool Partnerships.