Matthew Hands
Visiting Assistant Professor
Background
Dr. Matt Hands is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Education at John Carroll University. His work focuses on preparing future educators through practice-based coursework, with specific attention to P-5 methods. Prior to joining JCU, Dr. Hands spent 10 years as an elementary teacher in both North Carolina and Ohio, as well as three years on the faculty of Barton College in eastern N.C. He is especially interested in how teacher identity develops through preparation and authentic field-based engagement.
Areas of Expertise
- P-5 Curriculum/Lesson Development
- P-5 Pedagogy
- Educational Assessment
- Classroom Management
- Clinical Supervision
- Teacher Burnout
Research Interests
Dr. Hands's research centers on teacher recruitment, retention, and attrition, with particular emphasis on elementary education. His doctoral dissertation employed narrative methodologies to examine the experiences of former elementary teachers from Ohio and North Carolina who voluntarily left the profession prematurely. This work informs his ongoing interests in qualitative research on teacher identity, induction, and burnout/demoralization.
Education
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Appalachian State University
- M.A. in Teaching (Elementary Education), N.C. A&T State University
- B.A. in Business Administration (Marketing), Kent State University
Courses Taught
Undergraduate- Foundations in Primary Education
- Understanding & Utilizing Assessment in P-5 Education Settings
- Educational Assessment
- Integrated Content Methods II
- Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society
- Education Technology
- Integrated P-5 Curriculum & Methods
- Primary Education Seminar
- Advanced Assessment in Early Childhood Education
- Learning Across Primary Years/Content
- Primary Education Seminar
- Multicultural Education
- Learning-Teaching
- Education Technology
