Jana Hunzicker

Biography

Dr. Jana Hunzicker is a full professor in Bradley’s Department of Education, Counseling, and Leadership. She also serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for Bradley’s College of Education and Health Sciences. After teaching middle school for seven years and serving a total of nine years as an elementary/middle school dean of students and principal, Dr. Hunzicker transitioned into higher education in 2007.

Teaching

Dr. Hunzicker teaches graduate courses and serves as a faculty advisor for students in Bradley’s online Doctor of Education program. Her teaching style combines traditional instruction, reflective practice, and coaching toward an end goal of mastery learning. She tries to enliven her classes with meaningful discussion, activities, and projects that promote higher order thinking and provide opportunities for students to authentically apply information and ideas. Dr. Hunzicker especially enjoys teaching and working side-by-side with students on the iterative processes of researching and writing for publication.

Scholarship

Dr. Hunzicker's research interests include teacher leadership, higher education leadership, effective teaching practices, and professional development. She has authored over 75 refereed journal articles, book chapters, and practitioner-based pieces. She is editor of the NAPDS-endorsed book Teacher Leadership in Professional Development Schools and a guest editor of the winter 2020 special issue of School-University Partnerships, themed “The Impact of Teacher Leadership on Student Learning in Professional Development Schools.”

Dr. Hunzicker is the author of a free, online resource titled “Twenty-Two Tried-and-True Teaching Tips for College Instructors,” and the creator of the Characteristics of Effective Professional Development Checklist and of the Five Features of Teacher Leadership Framework and Self-Determination Guide, all practical resources teachers, professional developers, and others can use in daily practice to as they teach, learn, and lead.

Service

In addition to department, college, and university-level service for Bradley University, Dr. Hunzicker serves on the Washington Township United Fund board of directors in Washington, IL and as secretary for the international Association of Teacher Leadership and Scholarship (ATLAS). She is a past recipient of the Joan L. Sattler Endowed Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, the College of Education and Health Sciences Faculty Research Award, and the College of Education and Health Sciences Faculty Service Award.

Licensures and Certifications

• Illinois Professional Educator License: Standard Elementary Teaching Certificate
• Illinois Type 75 Administrative Certificate
• Illinois Superintendent Endorsement

Twenty-Two Tried-and True Teaching Tips

Five Features of Teacher Leadership Framework and Self-Determination Guide