Bill Morelan is director of the Educational Leadership (EDLD) program at Arkansas Tech University. Dr. Morelan has been involved with education in both the public and private sectors for over forty years. An experienced administrator, teacher, and author, he has a passion for student-centered learning — a process he believes should not only be meaningful, but also FUN!
Dr. Morelan holds a Bachelors in Communications, a Masters in Teaching, and a PhD in Leadership (emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction). He has been a popular speaker at educational conferences nationwide, authored a best-selling book on relationships, created both an elementary reading series and a science series, and was senior editor for several popular curriculum products. He has worked as a classroom teacher, an elementary school principal, a high school principal, and a district curriculum administrator. He also was the Publications Chair for the Arkansas Reading Association (three years), and was a finalist for the Arkansas Teacher of the Year. Plus in addition to his other duties, every summer, he serves as an instructor for Arkansas Governor’s School.
Although Dr. Morelan’s initial area of research was early literacy, he is also interested in models and schema that directly impact classroom instruction (such as Depth of Knowledge,* Response to Intervention, Understanding by Design, Differentiated Instruction, Highly Effective Teaching, Science of Reading, etc.). You will find references and links to these topics throughout this blog. *In the Spring of 2023, Dr. Morelan co-authored an article for Edutopia with Dr. Norman Webb, creator of the DOK schema.
For more information, visit Dr. Morelan’s ATU Profile Page. Or contact him at: wmorelan@atu.edu.
RECENT BOOKS by Dr. Morelan:
Air Is Not Oxygen – Essential Science You Should Have Learned But Probably Didn’t! Reflecting both the National Science Content Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, AIR IS NOT OXYGEN debunks common misconceptions about Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Science Methods. A fun, informative read, it helps fill in the gaps in essential science that you may have missed in school. Clear, short chapters focus on mastering key concepts instead of memorizing facts. Dozens of optional hands-on activities make science come alive. A perfect book for sharing or for use it as a handy basic reference tool.
The Novice Teacher Survival Guide – How to Avoid Personal Injury and Property Damage. (Published under a pseudonym to protect the guilty!) ln a satirical style reminiscent of Dave Barry or Andy Borowitz, THE NOVICE TEACHER SURVIVAL GUIDE takes a tongue-in-cheek look at many of education’s sacred cows. Topics (targets) include classroom management, effective teaching, state standards, lesson planning, high-stakes testing, and much more. On a more serious note, the final chapter is filled with a wealth of resources that will make any teacher’s life easier. Makes a great gift for veteran teachers, too!
Mike Beebe and Education Commissioner Tony Wood.