Department of Early, Elementary and Reading Education
Academic Unit Head: Joi Merritt
Email: merritjd@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-3066
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 3100
Department of Early, Elementary and Reading Education Website
Assistant Academic Unit Head: Christopher Hass
Email: hasscl@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-3632
Literacy Graduate Program Director: Mark Lewis
Email: lewis6ma@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-6255
Mission
The Department of Early, Elementary and Reading Education is committed to preparing caring, knowledgeable, skilled and reflective professionals who are committed to teaching all children. The department emphasizes supervised clinical placements that provide candidates with experiences in diverse settings that have a wide range of ages and abilities. Graduates are eligible for additional endorsements and/or licensure in Virginia.
The Department of Early, Elementary and Reading Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs in literacy, early and elementary education. All programs include extensive fieldwork to ensure varied opportunities for experiences working with children and families.