Thursday, March 28th, 2024
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Who Makes Millersville Special

Laurie Hanich

This issue of the Exchange features Dr. Laurie B. Hanich, associate professor of educational foundations at Millersville.

Q: How long have you been employed at Millersville University?
A: I am starting my ninth year as a faculty member in the educational foundations department.

Q: What classes do you teach here? Do you have any favorites?
A: My primary teaching responsibilities include educational psychology, at the graduate and undergraduate level. I also enjoy teaching my first year seminar course, The Great IQ Debate, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying intelligence and intellectual disabilities.

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: There are so many things that I like about my job—the intellectual curiosity it stimulates, the opportunity to work on interesting problems and the chance to interact with and learn from distinguished colleagues. However, my favorite part is working with so many interesting and unique students. I’m always amazed and impressed by the experiences that they bring to the college classroom.

Q: Is there a reason why you chose to teach educational psychology?
A: My interests in educational psychology developed out of my studies in child development.  Educational psychology allows me to look at the study of human development and behavior as it applies to teaching and learning.

Q: Tell us about being a co-editor of the journal Teaching Educational Psychology.
A: I was pleased to be nominated co-editor of Teaching Educational Psychology (TEP) along with my colleague, Dr. Sandy Deemer, in 2008. TEP is an online, peer-refereed journal devoted to increasing the shared knowledge base about the teaching of educational psychology. My responsibilities as co-editor keep me on the forefront of research being done in my field and provide an opportunity to meet and interact with national leaders in my discipline.

Q: Are you involved in any other research projects or journals?
A: Over the last few years I’ve been studying cognitive correlates and developmental patterns of mathematical thinking in children with learning disabilities. My sabbatical project for fall will examine the affective and motivational components of mathematics disabilities in young children. My goal is to develop a school-based intervention around principles of achievement motivation for children with learning disabilities in mathematics. I’m hoping to develop a team of students, teachers and faculty who may be interested in working on this project with me.

Q: Where was your first job?
A: My first job was as a summer camp counselor at the Boys & Girls Club. I think it fueled my interest in working with children.

Q: What college/university did you attend?
A: I went to Temple University. After that I attended graduate school at the University of Delaware.

Q: Where did you grow up?  Where do you live now?
A: I grew up on the West Shore of Harrisburg, Pa. Presently, I live in Newark, Del. It’s a 47-mile commute to Millersville each day. Most days it’s a beautiful drive. However, winter conditions can be treacherous!

Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up? Why?
A: Throughout high school and even during my first year of college, I thought I would work in the medical field. However, I developed a love of social science in college, which led me to psychology and eventually to education. I don’t have any regrets!

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: There’s nothing I love better than curling up with a good book. I’m a big supporter of public libraries. I also enjoy film, particularly Indies.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Without a doubt, my children are my greatest accomplishment. Matt is almost six years old and is attending kindergarten. Katie is almost four years old and is incredibly spirited. Their daily antics provide me with examples of practical applications of child development that I can share in my classroom teaching. I’m fortunate to have such cool kids.

Q: If you could travel to any place in the world, where would it be and why?
A: My husband, Dave, and I have ancestors in Sicily and Croatia. Both areas are steeped in history and offer wonderful opportunities for sightseeing and learning about the past. We hope to plan a vacation there in the near future.

5 replies on “Laurie Hanich”

Great interview – Nice that the world will know all the reasons your friends are proud of you.

Hi Laurie,

A very interesting interview! Congrats on the co-editorship of TEP.

Hope to see you at the next party.

Carol

Laurie,
I have always been proud of you and this little article gives me additional reasons to do so.
Miss you,
Rosemary

Laurie,

Really positive and informative interview. Captures you and your accomplishments very well. I am proud to be your colleague.

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