Overview
Shirley Lefever was born in Burns, Kansas where her family operated a small dairy farm. She attended Burns Elementary School and later moved to El Dorado, Kansas where she graduated from El Dorado High School. Prior to her career in higher education, she was a classroom teacher, teaching in multi-grade classrooms. Her passion for developing students鈥� abilities led her to pursue her graduate degrees.
Lefever received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University in 1991. Her dissertation focused on factors impacting literacy acquisition and reading comprehension. Her master鈥檚 and bachelor鈥檚 degrees are also from Kansas State University in Curriculum and Instruction and Elementary Education respectively.
Lefever鈥檚 initial experiences in higher education began with 14 years at the University of Arkansas where she was awarded the Outstanding Teaching award for the College of Education and Health Professions in 1996. As a faculty member, she helped develop the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program, characterized as a Professional Development School design, which was awarded the Distinguished Program in Teacher Education by the Association of Teacher Educators in 2001. In addition to teaching in the program, she also served as a university liaison to one of the Professional Development Schools. During that time, she also served as the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and was responsible for program development and implementation as well as graduate student supervision and training.
In 2005, Lefever continued to build on her deep commitment to strong clinical practice models of teacher preparation when she began in her role as Department Chair for Curriculum and Instruction at 萝莉社 University. While in that role, she collaborated with college faculty and school district leaders to reshape the 萝莉社 Professional Development School teacher preparation model to an urban serving model. This program was recognized by the Council of Great City Schools as the recipient of the Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Impact award as well as the Association of Teacher Educators, Distinguished Program in Teacher Education award.
She became the Associate Dean for the College of Education with responsibility for undergraduate programs in 2008 and moved to the Sr. Associate Dean position in 2012 where she also acted as the Assessment Coordinator. In 2013 she was appointed as Interim Dean for the College of Education (Now College of Applied Studies) and a year later became acting Dean.
She was appointed Interim Executive Vice President and Provost in the fall of 2020 before being selected as as full EVP and Provost in April 2022. As a First Generation College student, Lefever is deeply committed to making higher education both accessible and affordable to all students through a variety of strategies including paid applied learning opportunities.
Throughout her career, Lefever has been active in professional organizations and has served on numerous state and national task forces, commissions and committees. In 2015 she was elected President of the national Association of Teacher Educators and served two terms. Among her appointments include serving on the Kansas State Department of Education Blue Ribbon Panel committee, the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education鈥檚 Clinical Practice Commission and a Review Team member for the national Council for the Accreditation for Educator Providers. She has presented and published on a range of topics including Professional Development Schools, early literacy and strategies to promote the literacy development of English Language Learners and struggling readers.
Information
Education:
Ph.D. Kansas State University, 1991
Curriculum and Instruction
M.S. Ed. Kansas State University, 1988
Curriculum and Instruction/Reading, K-9
B.S. Kansas State University, 1984
Elementary Education
Academic Interests:
- Literacy acquisition and development
- Professional Development Schools
- Teacher preparation
Jack, A., McDowell, K., & Lefever-Davis, S. (2017). 鈥淐urriculum as a reflection of teacher self-efficacy.鈥� In F. Bowles & C. Pearman (Eds.), Enhancing Self-Efficacy in Action: Case Studies for Teacher Candidates. Landham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Jack, A. & Lefever-Davis, S. (2016). Making an Impact: A description of a collaborative partnership between a university teacher preparation program and an urban school district. Proceedings from the 2016 World Federation of Associations of Teacher Education Conference in Barcelona, Spain
Lefever-Davis, S., & Pearman, C., (2015) Reading, Writing, and Relevancy: Integrating the 3Rs into STEM The Open Communication Journal, 9(1),45-52
Pearman, C. & Lefever-Davis, S. (2011). Roots of Attrition: Reflections of Teacher Candidates in Title 1 Schools. Critical Questions in Education Online Journal. Academy for Educational Studies. Missouri State University
Lefever-Davis, S., Johnson, C., & Pearman, C. (2007). Two Sides of a Partnership: Egalitarianism and Empowerment in School鈥揢niversity Partnerships. Journal of Educational Research. Heldref Publications
Lefever-Davis, S. (2006). Collaborative visioning: Hearing the voices of faculty. Originally posted on American Council on Education website. Article no longer an active link.
Pearman, C. & Lefever-Davis, S., (2006). Supporting the essential elements with interactive CD-ROM storybooks. Reading Horizons, 46(4), 301-313
Lefever-Davis, S., & Pearman, C. (2005). Early Readers and Electronic Texts: CD-ROM Storybook Features that Influence Reading Behaviors. The Reading Teacher. 58(5).4-10
Lefever-Davis,S., Wilson, C., Moore, E., Kent, A., Hopkins, S. (2004). Teacher study groups: A strategic approach to promoting students鈥� literacy development. Reprinted for publication in Preparing Reading Professionals: A Collection from the International Reading Association. International Reading Association: Newark, DE
Lefever-Davis,S., Wilson, C., Moore, E., Kent, A., Hopkins, S. (2003). Teacher study groups: A strategic approach to promoting students鈥� literacy development. The Reading Teacher. 56(8). 782-784
Lefever-Davis, S. & Heller, M. (2003) Literacy partnerships in education. The Reading Teacher. 56(6). 566-568
Lefever-Davis, S. (2002). The preparation of tomorrow鈥檚 reading teachers. The Reading Teacher. 56(2).196-197
McGee, C., Wavering, M., Imbeau, M., Sullivan, E., Morrow, L., Lefever-Davis, S. & Ryel, R. (2001). Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award 2001: Preparing Scholar-Practitioners in the 21st Century. Action in Teacher Education. 32(3) 5-15
Lefever-Davis, S. (1999). Computer technology and beginning readers: Recognizing program features that support strategic reading. The Reader...IRA in Arkansas. 23. 20-22
Lefever-Davis, S., & Helfeldt, J. (1994). The efficacy of a site-based literacy methods course developed within the context of a school-university partnership. 1994 Yearbook of the College Reading Association
Lefever-Davis, S., Digby, A., Helfeldt, J.D., Lewis, J. & Joshua, L. (1993). University colleges of education and public schools: Vital partners in educational renewal. SRATE Journal. 3(1),35-39
Professional Positions:
Executive Vice President and Provost, 萝莉社 University, April 2022 to present
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, 萝莉社 University, Fall 2020 to April 2022
Dean, College of Applied Studies (formerly College of Education), 萝莉社 University. October 2014 to Fall 2020
President, Association of Teacher Educators, February, 2015 to February, 2017
Interim Dean, College of Education, 萝莉社 University. June, 2013 to October 2014
Sr. Associate Dean, College of Education, 萝莉社 University. August, 2012 to June, 2013
Assessment Coordinator, College of Education, 萝莉社 University. August, 2012 to present
Associate Dean, College of Education, 萝莉社 University. September, 2008 to July, 2012
Department Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 萝莉社 University. July, 2005 to September, 2008
Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 萝莉社 University. July, 2005 to present
Graduate Coordinator, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. University of Arkansas. August, 1999 to 2005
Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Arkansas, 1997- 2005
University Liaison, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in partnership school setting. 1997-2000
Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Arkansas, 1991 - 1997
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Division of Teacher Education, Kansas State University, 1987 - 1991
Elementary Teacher, (5-6), St. Michael School, Axtell, KS, 1984-86
Professional Experiences:
Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Summer, 2010
Management Development Program
Appointments:
Clinical Practice Commission. American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. Appointed to term beginning June, 2016 to present
Kansas Education Commissioner鈥檚 Blue Ribbon Task Force on Teacher Vacancies. Kansas Department of Education. Appointed to term. May, 2016 to July, 2016
Taskforce on Teacher Educator Development on Council for Accreditation of Education Providers (CAEP) Standards. Association of Teacher Educators. Appointed term to begin 2014
Commission on Graduate Education. Association of Teacher Educators. 20012-2015
Commission on Teacher Self-Efficacy. Association of Teacher Educators. 2010-2012
Leadership Academy Fellow. Association of Teacher Educators. Inducted 2009
Presidents Innovation Award. Recipient of the 2017 萝莉社Ventures Innovation Award
President鈥檚 Award for Service. Association of Teacher Educators. Awarded each year for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Outstanding Teaching Award. College of Education. University of Arkansas. Academic year 1995-96
Outstanding Teaching Award. Department of Curriculum and Instruction. College of Education. University of Arkansas. Academic year 1995-96
Kansas Board of Regents Teacher Education Competitive Grant Program. 2016 to 2020. Teacher Apprentice Program, year 2 funding. Served as P.I. and project administrator for proposal to increase the number of teachers in hard to fill areas. $325,151
Kansas Mentor and Induction Center (KMIC). 2016. Served as P.I. on proposal and acted as grant administrator. $60,000. Funded
Kansas Mentor and Induction Center (KMIC). 2015. Served as P.I. on proposal and acted as grant administrator. $60,000. Funded.
Kansas Mentor and Induction Center (KMIC). 2014. Served as P.I. on proposal and acted as grant administrator. $80,000. Funded.
Wichita Teacher Quality Partnership (WTQP). 2010. Served on grant writing team to expand and further develop the Urban Teacher Preparation Program as well as develop a new MAT residency program for Early Childhood Unified licensure. 5,000,000
Kansas Board of Regents Teacher Education Competitive Grant Program. 2010-2013. Urban Teacher Preparation Program. Served on grant writing team to increase the number of teachers in hard to fill areas. Grant Administrator. 300,000
South Central Kansas Writing Project. 2008. National Writing Project. Principal Investigator. 46,000
Teacher Candidate Preparation and the Enhancement of Parental Involvement. 2009. Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) Institution of Higher Education Curriculum Enhancement Project. Principal Investigator. 3,5000
Teacher Candidate Preparation and the Enhancement of Parental Involvement. 2008. Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) Institution of Higher Education Curriculum Enhancement Project. Principal Investigator. 3,5000
South Central Kansas Writing Project. 2008. National Writing Project. Principal Investigator. 34,425
Training Grant: Pathwise Observation Model. 2000. Arkansas Department of Education. Principal Investigator. 10,000
Arkansas K-4 Crusade. 1999-2000. Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Principal Investigator. 20,000
Arkansas K-4 Crusade. 1998. Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Principal Investigator. 25,000
University Students in a kindergarten classroom: The influence of adult interaction and support on kindergarteners' writing development. 1996. Break the Mold mini grant initiative. College of Education. $750
The effects of parent education on parents, students, and pre-service teachers. 1996. Break the Mold mini grant initiative. College of Education. $750
Arkansas K-4 Crusade. 1995. Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Principal Investigator. $107,266
50/50 Matching grant funds. Arkansas K-4 Crusade. 1996 Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Principal Investigator. $8,625
Arkansas K-4 Crusade. (1995). Arkansas Department of Higher Education. $56,266. Assumed principal investigator role after original PI resigned
Childhood cohort partnership. (1995). University of Arkansas Break the Mold. $2000. Responsibility, university liaison. co-author with Marcia Imbeau
Childhood specialized field experience partnership. (1994). University of Arkansas Break the Mold. $2000. Responsibility, university liaison. co-author with public school faculty
Enhancing teaching through partnerships with all. (1995). Teaching and Faculty Support Center Grant. University of Arkansas. $1,500
Telecommunications-based links among the Northwest Arkansas Partnership Initiative Participants. 1994. Southwestern Bell Foundation. $ 10,000
An investigation into the effectiveness of field-based coursework on preservice teacher education. (1994). Department of Curriculum and Instruction. University of Arkansas. $2,679
Break the mold teacher education program. (1994-99), Rockefeller Foundation. Member of writing committee. $300,000
The development of a teaching portfolio. (1994). Teaching and Faculty Support Center Grant. University of Arkansas. $2,000
University of Arkansas/George Elementary Partnership. (1993). Southwestern Bell Foundation. Breaking the Mold grant. Principal Investigator. $25,000
Restructuring inside the classroom: Toward a whole language approach in undergraduate reading methods courses. (1991). College of Education Faculty Grant, $1,000
Executive Board Memberships:
Association of Teacher Educators. President. Elected for 2016-2017 term
Association of Teacher Educators. President. Nominated to fill remaining period for 2015-2016 term beginning January, 2016
World Federation of Association of Teacher Educators Board Member. Appointed beginning May, 2016
Association of Teacher Educators Executive Board. Elected for 2013-2018 term
Association of Teacher Educators Executive Board. Elected for 2009-2012 term
Association of Teacher Educators, Kansas (ATE-K) Executive Board. Appointed Spring, 2013
Selected Committee Work:
International:
International Reading Association Publications committee. International Reading Association. Appointed 2005, Appointed for second term 2007-2009
National:
Association of Teacher Educators Conference Planning Committees, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2019. Association of Teacher Educators. Conference Locations: Reno, Chicago, St. Louis, Niagara, Washington DC
Association of Teacher Educators. Distinguished Teacher Educator Committee. Association of Teacher Educators. 2008 to 2015
Association of Teacher Educators Fiscal Affairs Committee. Association of Teacher Educators. 3 year appointment, 1994 - 1998, Reappointed for 1999-2002, 2003-2005 and 2006-2008 terms
Association of Teacher Educators Credentials Committee. Association of Teacher Educators. 3 year appointment, 2003-2006
State:
Kansas Teaching Commission. Member subcommittee Regulations/Teacher Leader 鈥揔PA Redesign Writing committee. Kansas State Department of Education. 2008.
Vice President, Executive Board for Arkansas Reading Association. 2004-2005.
2005 Conference Chair, Arkansas Reading Association.
Technology Coordinator, Executive Board for Arkansas Reading Association. 2003-2004.
Parliamentarian, Executive Board for Arkansas Reading Association. 2002-2003.
Intellectual Freedom Committee Chair. Arkansas Reading Association. 1999-2000.
University:
萝莉社 Honors program committee. 萝莉社 University. 2008.
Student Financial Aid Appeals committee. University of Arkansas. August 2000 to present. 3 year term.
Senior Representative to Graduate Council. University of Arkansas, August, 1997 to 1999. 2 year appointment.
Junior Representative to Graduate Council. University of Arkansas, August, 1995 to 1997. 2 year appointment.
Graduate Curriculum Committee. University of Arkansas, August, 1995 to 1997. 2 year appointment.
University Nominations Committee. University of Arkansas, August, 1995-1998.
Graduate Grievance Committee. University of Arkansas, Spring, 1997.
Committee on Program Evaluation. University of Arkansas, 1997-98.
University Committee on Teacher Education. University of Arkansas, August, 1992-1994.
College:
Co-Chair, NCATE Standard 1: Candidate Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions subcommittee. 萝莉社College of Education. 2007-2009.
Chair, NCATE Standard 1: Candidate Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions subcommittee. University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions. August, 2004 to 2005.
Faculty Council Departmental Representative. University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions. August, 2004 to 2007.
Student petitions and appeals committee. University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions. August, 2000 to present.
Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, College of Education. University of Arkansas, 1997-99.
Chair, Graduate Curriculum Committee, College of Education. University of Arkansas, 1995-1997.
Steering Committee for Northwest Arkansas Partnership. College of Education. University of Arkansas, August, 1992 to present.
Deans' Leadership Forum. College of Education. University of Arkansas, August, 1992-1994.
School District Service:
Development and implementation of the Preparing Educators Together (PET) partnership. Cowley Community College. 2005-2009.
Development and implementation of the Urban Teacher Preparation Program (UTPP). Wichita Public Schools. Wichita, KS. 2005-2009.
Organization of George Elementary/University school partnership. Springdale, AR. August 1992 to 1995.