Faculty and Staff Profiles

Mary Ransdell
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Office Location:
Office Hours: Posted on my office door or by appointment.
Profile

Dr. Ransdell is a Hoosier who received both her B.S. and M. Ed from the University of Southern Indiana and Indiana State University at Terre Haute, respectively.  She taught fourth grade for 14 years in Evansville, Indiana before moving to Lexington, KY where she worked at the University of Kentucky and also received her Ed.D. in Elementary Education.  She joined The University of Memphis in 2002.  They have three grown children and five grandchildren.  Their children and grandchildren live in Florida, Delaware, and Michigan. 

Dr. Ransdell's motto for the past 30 years has been “Let the children have fun and slip in learning when they aren’t looking.”  By this she mean that when students are engaged with material, and enjoying the task at hand, they learn without realizing it. 

   

Honors/Awards
  • Associate Graduate Status - University of Memphis - 2003
  • Chair's Excellence Award for Teaching - Instruction and Curriculum Leadership - 2007
  • Chair's Excellence Award - Instruction and Curriculum Leadership - 2013-2014

Teaching Experience

  • EDC 321 Classroom Management and Discipline (U) (taught 3 times) - University of Kentucky
  • ELED 4354 Practice Teaching in the Integrative Urban Environment (U) (taught 3 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7951 Special Topics: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (G) (taught 3 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 4906 Supervision of Student Teachers (U, G) (4 semesters) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 4001 Learning in the Urban Environment K-8 (U) (taught 2 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7059 Models of Teaching (G) (taught 5 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7000 Analysis and Practice of Teaching I (G) (taught 9 times) - University of Memphis
  • ELED 3251 Teaching and Learning K-8 (U) (taught 8 times) - University of Memphis
  • TELC 5003 Managing the Learning Environment (U, G) (taught 2 times) - Regents Online Degree Program (RODP) via UM
  • ICL 4800 Student Teacher Seminar (U) (taught 8 times) - University of Memphis
  • ELED 4352 Curriculum and Methods in the Early and Middle Grades (U) (taught 3 times) - University of Memphis
  • ELED 4354 Practice Teaching in the Integrative Urban Environment (U) (taught 3 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7080 Curriculum and Instruction for the Multiethnic School. (G) (taught 2 time) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7654 Methods for Teaching Social Studies in Elementary and Middle Schools. (G) (taught 1 time) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7709 Learning in the Urban Environment (G) (taught 6 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7912 Foundations of NBPTS Candidacy (G) (taught 2 times) - University of Memphis
  • RDNG 7540 Innovations for Teaching Literacy in the Classroom (G) (taught 2 times) - University of Memphis
  • RDNG 7541 Advanced Assessment of Reading Performance (G) (taught 2 times) - University of Memphis
  • RDNG 7545. Teaching Reading in Subject Areas (G) (taught 2 times) - University of Memphis
  • RDNG 7544 Reading and study skills in the content area (G) (taught 1 time) - University of Memphis
  • ELED 4354 Curriculum and Methods in the Early and Middle Grades (U) (taught 1 time) - University of Memphis
  • RDNG 4240 Literacy in K-4 (U) (taught 4 times) - University of Memphis
  • RDNG 4241 Literacy in 5-8 (U) (taught 4 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 7030 Assessment and Evaluation (G) (taught 1 time) - University of Memphis
  • ELED 3242 Teaching and Learning (U) (taught 2 times) - University of Memphis
  • ICL 4914 Residency I Seminar (U) (taught 1 time) - University of Memphis

Support

  • Memphis Supporting and Transforming Teachers Program - TN Higher Education Commissiion - $100,000 - Summer 2018 - Summer 2020
  • Read to Me - Target - $2,000 - 2009-2010
Service
  • University of Memphis, College of Education, ICL Dept - Conduct Teacher Education Program (TEP) Interviews - 2002-Present
  • University of Memphis, College of Education, ICL Dept - Master's Thesis Examinations - 2002-Present
  • University of Memphis, College of Education, ICL Dept - Elementary Program Faculty - 2002-Present
  • University of Memphis - ICL Leadership Team - 2006-present
  • University of Memphis - Milllington Center Advisory Committee (Chair) - 2007- Present
  • University of Memphis - Liaison to Covington 2+2 group via Tapped-In - 2008-Present
  • University of Memphis - Piloted the TPA with student teachers - 2010
  • University of Memphis - PBL committee - 2009-2010
  • University of Memphis - ICL Coordinator for the Millington Center - 2007 - present
  • University of Memphis - ELED Program Coordinator - 2011-2013
  • University of Memphis - NCATE Coordinator and Director of Assessment for College - 2011-present
  • University of Memphis - Faculty Program Review (for SACS) - 2013 to present
  • Profession - NCATE / SPA Reviewer - 2003 to present
  • Profession - NCATE / SPA Auditor - 2009 to present
  • University of Memphis - TACTE Executive Board - 2012-2016
  • University of Memphis - AACTE TAG -Clinical Preparation - 2014-Present
Books Reviewed
Journal Articles
  • ERIC Documents

    Ransdell, M. (2003). Cooperative learning in elementary classrooms. ERIC Document # 481104.  

       
  • Not peer reviewed section of an otherwise peer reviewed journal

    Moberly, D. A., Conway, K. D., and Ransdell, M. (2002). Helping teacher candidates become reflective about their practice. Childhood Education (78)3, 160F, 160L.    

      
  • Peer Reviewed

    Ransdell, M. & Moberly, D. A., (2003) A journey into cooperative learning with teacher education students. Essays in Education 6(Summer), retrieved September 5, 2003 from http://www.usca.edu/essays/

  • Ransdell, M. (2003). Using cooperative learning in elementary science classrooms. The Professional Educator. (26)1, 23-35.  
  • Ransdell, M. & Maxwell, S. A. (2004) Initiating middle school teacher candidates into the culture of teaching: A metamorphic experience through a structured approach. Tennessee Association of Middle Schools. 31, 31-42.   
  • Ransdell, M. (2005).  The lure of lectures vs. the call of cooperative learning in college classrooms.  Essays in Education 14(Summer), available from: http://www.usca.edu/essays/    
  • Thompson, S. M., Ransdell, M., & Rousseau, C. (2005) Effective teachers in urban school settings.  Journal of Authentic Learning 2(1), 22-36. 
  • Ransdell, M. (2005) Supporting Mid-south national board candidates: Their quest for certification.  Tennessee Association of Middle Schools, 34, 4-12.

  • Ransdell, M. & Maxwell, S. A. (2006) Initiating teacher candidates: A structured design.  The Professional Educator28(1), retrieved April 22, 2007 from http://theprofessionaleducator.com/.    
  • Ransdell, M. & Morgan, M. (2007) Eddie’s lessons; inner city kids meet an old dead white man: Teaching Character Education. Tennessee Association of Middle Schools. 37, 14-19.
  • Li, Y., Coleman, D., Ransdell, M., Coleman, L. M., and Irwin, C. (2014) The Effect of Sport Stacking Intervention on Handwriting with Second Grade Students. The Physical Educator(71)1.
Presentations
  • INTERNATIONAL

    *Rike, C., Moberly, D., Ransdell, M., & Whaley C. (2008) Pre-Service Teacher Dispositions: An International Perspective.  World Conference of the Association for Childhood Education International. Moscow, Russia.

  • NATIONAL and REGIONAL

    Ransdell, M., Bruning, M., & Reed, R. (April 2001). Creative Program Development. Annual conference of The Association for Childhood Education International. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • *Ransdell, M. (April 2002). Teachers' Conceptions and Practices of Cooperative Learning. Annual conference of The Association for Childhood Education International. San Diego, CA.    
  • *Ransdell, M. (April 2004). Cooperative learning in the university classroom. Annual conference of The Association for Childhood Education International. New Orleans, LA.   
  • *Thompson, S., Ransdell, M., & Rousseau, C. (November 2004). What are those teachers doing anyway: Examining the dispositions of highly qualified teachers. Third Annual Symposium on Educator Dispositions. Richmond, KY.     
  • Ransdell, M. & Maxwell, S. A. (January 2005). Initiating teacher candidates into the classroom via a clinical connections notebook. Annual conference of the Holmes Partnership. Philadelphia, PA.        
  • *Ransdell, M. & Maxwell, S. A. (March 2005). Initiating teachers into the profession: A structured clinical approach. Annual conference of the Association for Childhood Education International, Washington, D.C.    
  • *Moberly, D., Leach, J., & Ransdell, M. (March 2005). In pursuit of national board certification: A journey for both teacher and mentor. Annual conference of the Association for Childhood Education International, Washington, D.C.     
  • *Thompson, S., Ransdell, M., Rousseau, C., McDonald, A., & Sterbinsky, A. (February 2005). Achieving student success in urban classrooms. Annual conference of the Association of Teacher Educators, Chicago, IL.    
  • *Moberly, D., Leach, J., & Ransdell, M. (February, 2005) Partnering that encourages national standards and excellence in teacher candidates and teachers. Annual conference of the Association of Teacher Educators, Chicago, IL.     
  • *Ransdell, M., Leach, J. & Moberly, D. A. (July 2005). Helping pre-candidates become candidates: A university – district partnership.  Annual conference of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Washington, D. C.  
  • *Ransdell, M. (June 2007) Teachers and cooperative learning: What do they do. Presentation at the 19th Annual Conference on Ethnographic and Qualitative Research in Education. Cederville, OH.  
  • *Rike, C., Moberly, D., Ransdell, M., & Whaley C. (April 2008) Going Beyond Standards:  The International Focus on Pre-Service Teachers’ Dispositions.  Annual Conference of the Association for Childhood Education International, Atlanta, GA.    
  • *Rike, C., Moberly, D., Ransdell, M., & Whaley C. (April 2009) Pre-service teachers’ dispositions: What, how, and when we assess them.  Annual Conference of the Association for Childhood Education International, Chicago, IL. (Research, Premier Conference)      
  • *Stephens, L., Li, Y., Coleman, D., Ransdell, M., Irwin, C. and Grindle, V. (April 2009) Effects of a sport stacking intervention on 2nd grade students. Annual American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention & Exposition, Tampa FL.    
  • *Moberly, D., Rike, C.J., Ransdell, M., and Whaley, C. (February, 2009) Developing and assessing dispositions in pre-service teachers. Association of Teacher Educators National Meeting, Dallas, TX.
  • STATE

    *Greer, J. G., Greer, B. B., & Ransdell, M. (October 2003). Facilitating a family atmosphere for early childhood, primary, and middle school students. Annual state conference of the Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International. Jackson, TN. 

  • *Ransdell, M. Teachers’ conceptions and practices of cooperative learning (October 2003). Annual state conference of the Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International. Jackson, TN.

  • *Ransdell, M. (October 2004). NCLB / NCLA:Nifty cooperative learning activities. Annual state conference of the Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International. Murfreesboro, TN. 
  • *Ransdell, M., & Cunningham, J. (October 2005) Seeing the pink elephant.  Annual state conference of the Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International. Memphis, TN.  

  • *Ransdell, M., Reeves, K., & McCullough, A. (January2009) Engaging students: CREDE in a college classroom. Paper presented at the Annual state conference of the Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International. Greeneville, TN.    
  • *McCullough, A., Ransdell, M., & Reeves, K. (2009) Increasing student participation in higher education.  Research presentation at the Center for Educational Development, Evaluation & Development (CEDER) 6th annual conference, Memphis, TN.    
  • LOCAL Presentations

    Ransdell, M. (August 2003).  Cooperative learning. Coleman Elementary School In-service.
  • Ransdell, M. (August 2005).  Cooperative learning in the classroom Campus Elementary School In-service. 
  • Ransdell, M. (October 2006). RTI: Uncovering the mystery. Memphis Principals’ Academy.  
  • Ransdell, M. & Phillips, C. (April 2010) Attaining national board certification.  Shelby County Schools In-service.

  • Ransdell, M. (December 2009) Becoming a teacher. Second Career in Teaching Seminar. The Millington Center.  
  • Ransdell, M. (October 2010) Concept attainment: Attaining the concept. The Martin Instititue for Teaching Excellence. Memphis, TN.  
  • Ransdell, M. (December 2010) Your career in teaching. Second Career in Teaching Seminar. The Millington Center.  
  • Ransdell, M. (February 2011) Cooperative learning: It's not just working in groups. The Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence. Memphis, TN.  
  •  Ransdell, M. (October 2011) Your second career Second Career in Teaching Seminar. The Millington Center
  • Bhattacharya, B. & Ransdell, M. ( March 2018) Program review as part of the CAEP accreditation process: SPA review with national recognition. CAEPcon conference, Kansas City, MO.