Earl Thomas, Ed.D.
Doctoral Faculty | Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, CA, UNITED STATES
Professor of Human Development in the School of Leadership Studies
Biography
Dr. Earl Thomas currently serves as Professor of Human Development in the School of Leadership Studies at Fielding Graduate University Santa Barbara California. Thomas has spent the majority of his career in higher education teaching and advising graduate students as well as carrying out administrative roles such as program chair and associate dean. His areas of expertise include adult learning and development, early childhood education program leadership, qualitative and action research design.
Dr. Thomas has written numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, 2 books and contributed book chapters to major research publications in the field of education. His research interest center around diversity and teacher professional development transformation, adult learning, and professional development systems. He has presented at national conferences in early childhood and adult education.
Dr. Thomas has an extensive background that combines early childhood and adult development. He has served as program specialist in the Administration for Children and Families Federal Region VII Office of Head Start, and Regional Field Specialist at the National Center on Early Childhood Development Teaching and Learning Region V Chicago Federal Office of Head Start.
Industry Expertise (3)
Social Services
Education/Learning
Training and Development
Areas of Expertise (7)
Action Research
Transformative Learning
Mixed Methods Research
Adult Learning Theory
Qualitative Research Methods
Adult Development
Curriculum Development
Education (3)
Kansas State University-Manhattan Kansas: EdD, Adult Education
University of Missouri-Kansas City: MA, Adult Education
University of Missouri-Kansas City: BA, Psychology and Sociology
Event Appearances (6)
Building learner persistence in 2-year and 4- year colleges and universities through online instructor/student engagement
Annual American Association for Adult and Continuing Education 63rd Annual Conference Charleston, SC.
2014-11-07
The role of governing boards in the oversight of RTI and school diversity transformation
Illinois Association of School Boards Annual Conference Chicago, Illinois
2009-11-01
Lessons learned respective to program design and implementation of a faculty-led student peer-mentoring program
National Symposium on Student Retention Mobile, Alabama
2010-11-01
The effect of traditional peer-mentoring vs. hybrid peer-mentoring on student retention and goal attainment
National Symposium on Student Retention Buffalo, New, York
2009-10-01
Empowering Head Start Programs to plan and manage systems that influence cultural diversity
National Head Start Conference Orlando, Florida
2009-05-01
Understanding the facilitators and barriers for private elementary schools to serve a diverse student population
National Alliance of Black School Educators 35th Annual Conference Nashville, Tennessee
2007-11-01
Articles (15)
BOOK: Transforming Schools: Resources for undergraduate and graduate students to facilitate diversity school transformation
JW PressThomas, E.., & Bell, D.
Vol II. Oak Forest, Illinois
BOOK: Transforming Schools: Resources for pre-k-12 schools to facilitate school diversity transformation
JW PressThomas, E.., & Bell, D.
Oak Forest, Illinois
CHAPTER: Goal, attainment, retention and peer mentoring
In Sound InstructionWard, E.G., Thomas, E.E., & Disch, W.B.
Vol VI
Combining professional development instructional coaching to transform the classroom environment in preK-3 classrooms
Journal of Research in Innovative TeachingSpelman, M., Bell D., Thomas, E., & Briody,J.
2016
CHAPTER: Minimizing barriers in teacher diversity professional development
Imagining a renaissance in teacher education: Teacher education yearbook XVIThomas, E.., & Bell. D.L.
(2008) Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Mentor service themes emergent in a holistic undergraduate peer-mentoring experience
Journal of College Student DevelopmentWard, E.G., Thomas, E.E., & Disch, W.B.
2014
Instructional coaching partner conversations in a prek-3rd grade teacher professional development experience
Journal of Adult EducationThomas, E.E., Bell, D.L., Spelman, M., & Briody, J.
2015
Protégé growth themes emergent in holistic undergraduate peer-mentoring experience
Mentoring and Tutoring: Partnership in LearningWard, E.G., Thomas, E.E., & Disch, W.B.
2012
Technology use and the second level digital divide
Journal of Instructional PsychologyReinhart, J.M., Thomas, E., & Toriskie, J.M.
2011
Understanding the teacher professional development facilitators and barriers to serve a diverse student population
Academic Leadership Online JournalBell, D., & Thomas, E.
2008
Goal attainment, retention and peer-mentoring
Academic Exchange QuarterlyWard. E.G., Thomas, E.E., & Disch, W.B.
2010
A mentoring process to support teachers’ growth and retention
Academic Leadership Online JournalBell, D.L., & Thomas, E. E.
2007
Thoughtful planning fosters learning transfer
Adult Learning., summer & fallThomas, E.
2007
Teachers’ perceptions of a diverse school environments
Journal of the Alliance of Black School EducatorsThomas, E., & Bell. D.
2007
A new paradigm for male involvement in comprehensive child development programs
Journal of Children and PovertyThomas, E.
1995
