Learning about Learning

Personal professional mission: to promote and protect child-like wonder and love of learning in everyone I meet.

I wonder about you - what makes you curious about me, what makes you wonder about teaching and learning, about children and learners of all ages?

Read my personal #whyIteach story, published in Early Year: Journal of Texas Association for the Education of Young Children www.texasaeyc.org.

Early Years Pathways cover http://faculty.tamuc.edu/jthompson/documents/eyWhyITeachThompson.pdf

Let us know when and where you post your #whyIteach story by including the #EYPath tag.

Teaching

Effective teaching can be demonstrated in a number of ways. “Value-added” is one method to enumerate growth, using pre- and post- measures to demonstrate change in the student. On the other hand, research has pointed toward the difference a TEACHER makes in effective teaching. That a teacher CARES turns out to be a significant factor in teaching effectiveness (Goldstein. 2002. Reclaiming Caring in Teaching and Teacher Education. NY: Lang.). I want to be known as a teacher who cares.

Spring 2021 - all courses in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction are online.

Doctoral Students

Bolden, Joy. (2019). Parent Involvement and Language Development: A Comparison of Early Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships (Moore, Texas Woman's University, ECD&E)
Brumfield, Melissa. (2018 completed 2^nd M.Ed.). Topic of interest: Looping with kindergartners and first graders.
Ezell, Sonja. (2013). Early Head Start, Curriculum Intervention, and Outcome Measures (Brown, chair)
Fetter, Sherri. (2018). Characteristics of elementary students as predictors of enrollment in schools of choice in Texas. (Arrambide, EDL, chair)
Jones, Suzanne Stateler. (2011). Academic Red-Shirting: Perceived Life Satisfaction of Adolescent Males (Miller, chair)
Keddington, Holly. (2012). Complement Syntax, Mental Verbs, and Theory of Mind in Children who are Deaf (Ball, PSY, chair)
Kouhana, Hilary. (2017). Relationship Between Third Grade Retention of Male Hispanic English Language Learner Students on State Academic Assessments (R. Thompson, EDL, chair)
Murphy, Pamela. (2019). An Investigation of the Greeting Circle to Promote Social and Emotional Skills in Pre-Kindergarten Children (Moore, Texas Woman's University, ECD&E)
Roesler, Emily. (proposal tbd). Topic of interest: A single case study of leadership: Bridging the transition gap between kindergarten and first grade.
Spoon, Deborah. (2018). Perceptions of Beginning Teachers and Mentor Teachers: Case Study of a Campus Mentor Program (R. Thompson, EDL)
Stanković-Ramirez, Zlata. (2020). Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives on Decision-Making Regarding Initial Set up of Classroom Environments, Modifications During the Academic School Year, and Barriers Associated with Creating Optimal Physical Environments (Vittrup, Texas Woman's University, CD&EE) MENTOR.
Summers, Stacie. (2019). Head Start Parents Perception of Family Literacy Activities (Moore, Texas Woman’s University, ECD&E)
Yeh, Chia Jung. (2013). Effects of Peer Relationships and Child Behaviors on Preschoolers' Language Competencies (Moore, Texas Woman’s University, ECD&E)

Research https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5683-6518

Within the community of child language acquisition researchers, it is known that more competent speakers transmit pragmatic competence to language learners; how they do so is still quite a mystery. The complex, interwoven connectedness of diverse elements and their influence on language acquisition remains unzipped; the double, triple, or infinite helix of pragmemes needs to be realized. Following Naomi Baron's (1990) structure of Five Language Functions (affection, control, information, pedagogy, and social exchange), my research examines the effectiveness of this structure to describe pragmemes in the early language learning environment of young children.

Early childhood educators are predominantly female; I am exploring gender differences in the ways men parent and teach. I join other researchers and early childhood practitioners (e.g. www.MenTeach.org, www.StrongFathers.com) in seeking what is necessary to attract, recruit, retain, and promote men in early childhood education.

Publications

Thompson, J., & Bourassa, M. (2020). Ten ways a teacher copes, and thrives, during a pandemic. Early Years: Journal of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children 41(2), 21-23. .PDF

Pearce, N., & Thompson, J. (2019). A dynamic duo: A partnership between an early childhood center and a teacher education program (Feature Article, also translated into Spanish: Un dúo dinámico: Una alianza entre el Centro de primera infancia y el programa de educación de docentes, pp. 15-18). Early Years: Journal of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children 40(2), 11-14.

Thompson, J. (2018). Dads in the carpool lane. Early Years: Journal of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children 39(3), 29-30. .PDF

Stanković-Ramirez, Z. & Thompson, J. (2018). Rethinking developmental domains to improve classroom observations. Texas Child Care Quarterly, 42(2), 20-27. Available online https://www.childcarequarterly.com/pdf/fall18_domains.pdf.

Golden, F., Guthery, S. & Thompson, J. (2018). Chapter 10: Improving practice of pre-service teachers through inquiry. In L. A. Sharp, E. Hendrix, & L. M. Juarez (Eds.), Texas Association for Literacy Education Yearbook, Volume 5: Connections in the community: Fostering partnerships through literacy (pp. 84-88). Texas: Texas Association for Literacy Education. Available online www.texasreaders.org/yearbooks.html.

Thompson, J., & Walker, K. (2017). Rich Words for Free. ACEI Early Years Bulletin: Focus on Pre-K & K, 5(1), 1-5. Available online https://issuu.com/acei/docs/eybfall2017.

Wolff, K., Chapman, M., & Thompson, J. (2017). Exploring the Intersections of Social Identity, Popular Culture and Men in Early Childhood Education. In E. A. Janak & L. Sourdot (Eds.), Educating through Popular Culture: “You’re Not Cool Just Because You Teach with Comics” (pp. 265-286). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. PDF

Araujo, J., & Thompson, J. (2016). A Place for Children of Poverty. Early Years: Journal of Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, 37(2), 78.79.

Lee, D., Reid, M. J., & Thompson, J. (2016). Teachers Who Stay. Early Years: Journal of Texas Association for the Education of Young Children 37(2), 74-77.

Thompson, J. (2016). Why I Teach. Early Years: Journal of Texas Association for the Education of Young Children 37(2), 82-83.

Thompson, J., & Walker, K. (2016). One summer day: Play at Parker-Chase. Play, Policy, & Practice CONNECTIONS XVII(1), 26-28.

Hammack, B.J., Foote, M., Garretson, S., & Thompson, J. (2012). Family Literacy Packs: Engaging Teachers, Families, and Young Children in Quality Activities to Promote Partnerships for Learning, in Young Children 67(3) 104-110. PDF

Thompson, J. & Garretson, S. (2011). Encouraging men in their conversations with children, in Perspectives on gender in early childhood education (Tamar Jacobson, Ed.). St. Paul: Redleaf Press.

Thompson, J. & Stryker, A. (2010). Tale of two talents: How two teachers use peer-reflection to better prepare for class. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education.

Thompson, J. (2008). Table talk: Taking dinner conversation into the classroom, In P. Dam & M. T. Coward (Eds.), Current Issues and Best Practice in Bilingual and ESL Education (pp. 54-64). Denton, TX: Federation of North Texas Universities.

Thompson, J. & Leeds, L. (2006). Infant crying: To soothe or not to soothe. Montessori Life: Journal of the American Montessori Society 18(1) 26-31.

Leeds, L. & Thompson, J. (2005). Tears as Tools. Early Years: Journal of Texas Association for the Education of Young Children 27(1) 5-6.

Thompson, J. (2003). Hundred Language Zoo. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 31(1) 13-20. .PDF or DOC

Accepted for publication

Thompson, J. "Montessori on Play." Accepted for publication 2021.

Manuscripts submitted to refereed journals

Thompson, J., Walker, K., & Geneser, V. (expected publication 2021). Why I teach: A content analysis of eight early childhood teacher vignettes.

Wilson, L. L., & Thompson, J. (submitted August 17, 2019; revise & resubmit 05/01/2020) From Breadwinners to Nurturers: Changing Images of Fathers in Media

Wilson, L. L., & Thompson, J. (submitted May 8, 2020) Critical Race Theory and African American Fathers: Countering Mainstream Narrative through Authentic Storytelling

Manuscripts in progress

Effects of systemic racism on students in higher ed and on faculty – collaboration with Babino, Hendricks, and Mercado-Sierra

The Impact of Men on Children's Outcomes: Re-conceptualizing the Roles of Males in Children's Lives, at Home and in Schools

Games teachers play, book chapter – collaboration with Loewenstein & Pearce

Girls and boys need to talk with men and women: Gendered conversations help children learn more ways that language works

Language acquisition classroom practice

Support scholars contrasting teaching styles

Editor

Brown, D.L., Geneser, V., & Thompson, J. (Eds.). (2012-2016). Early Years: Journal of Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Austin, Texas: Texas Association for the Education of Young Children.

Vol. 37, No. 2: Special Issue on Pathways of Becoming an Early Childhood Professional

Vol. 37, No. 1: Winter 2016

Vol. 36, No. 3: Fall 2015

Vol. 36, No. 2: Summer 2015

Vol. 36, No. 1: Winter 2015

Vol. 35, No. 4: Fall 2014

Vol. 35, No. 3: Summer 2014

Vol. 35, No. 2: Special Issue on Play

Vol. 35, No. 1: Winter 2014

Vol. 34, No. 3: Winter 2013

Vol. 34, No. 2: Summer 2013

Vol. 34, No. 1: Winter 2013

Vol. 33, No. 3: Fall 2012

Vol. 33, No. 2: Summer 2012

Recent Presentations

Thompson, J., & Wilson, L. (November 2020). Critical Race Theory CRT Helps Teachers Hear Black Fathers. Annual Virtual Conference, National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators. naecte.org/naecte-annual-conferences/
Brereton, A.; Pentz, K.; & Thompson, J. (November 2020). Men in the Classroom Then and Now: The Changing Landscape of Men in Early Childhood Education. Annual Conference, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Anaheim, CA (accepted/cancelled).
Krout, K.; & Thompson, J. (November 2020). Leaders Needed, Women, Men, and All: Examining gender equity in early care and education. Annual Conference, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Anaheim, CA.
Thompson, J. (June 2020). The power of words and stories to create the life of the mind. VIRTUAL CONFERENCE. Professional Learning Institute PLI. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Thompson, J. (June 2020). The power of words and stories to create the life of the mind. Professional Learning Institute PLI. National Association for the Education of Young Children. New Orleans, LA (cancelled). http://faculty.tamuc.edu/jthompson/powerWords/
Thompson, J., Walker, K., & Geneser, V. (March 2020). Poster Early Childhood Teacher Identity: Content Analysis of 8 #whyIteach vignettes. American Montessori Society. Dallas, Texas (cancelled). Wilson & Thompson. (November 2019). The Impact of Men on Children's Outcomes: Re-conceptualizing the Roles of Males in Children's Lives, at Home and in Schools.RECE conference. Las Cruces, NM.
Thompson & Wilson. (November 2019). Girls and boys need to talk with men and women. NAEYC annual conference. Nashville, TN. WEB
Pearce & Thompson. (November 2019). A Dynamic Duo: An Early Childhood Center and Teacher Education Program. NAECTE Annual meeting. Nashville, TN. PDF
Walker, Geneser, & Thompson (November 2019) Why I Teach: Research poster presentation. Mid-South Educational Research Association www.msera.org New Orleans, LA.
Thompson, Geneser, & Walker (September 2019) Why I Teach: Research poster presentation. Project Galleria, Texas AEYC. Frisco, Texas.
Thompson, J. & Stanković-Ramirez, Z. (September 2019) Montessori Works: Why, and A Little Bit of How. Annual Conference. Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Frisco, Texas
Thompson, J (September 2019). Listening and Speaking Leads to Reading and Writing and More. 14th Annual Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium, Mesquite, Texas. HANDOUT.pdf
Thompson, J. & Stanković-Ramirez, Z. (August 2019) Montessori Works: Why, and A Little Bit of How. Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Irving, Texas.Thompson, J. (August 2019). Child Development and Individual Variation. Teacher In-Service Training. St. Francis Family Montessori. Irving, Texas.
Thompson, J. (July 2019). Child Development. Observation. Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Plano, Texas.
McDonald, J., & Thompson, J. (June 2019). Importance of Men and Dads in Children’s Lives. Jerletha McDonald Show. https://www.facebook.com/jerletha.mcdonald/videos/10158506067059167/UzpfSTUzODQ4NzMzODoxMDE1NjQ3ODI0NDI1MjMzOQ/
Walker, K., Geneser, V., & Thompson, J. (June 2019). Teacher Educators Look at Teacher Candidates and Their Identity as Early Childhood Professionals. Research Poster Session. National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE). Long Beach, CA.
Walker, K., Geneser, V., & Thompson, J. (June 2019). Why I Teach: A Content Analysis of Eight Early Childhood Teacher Vignettes. Research Poster Session. Professional Learning Institute of National Association for the Education of Young Children. Long Beach, CA.
Walker, K., Geneser, V., & Thompson, J. (November 2018). Becoming a profession of early childhood educators: A quality career creates a legacy. Annual Conference National Association for the Education of Young Children. Washington, DC.
Thompson, J. & Stanković-Ramirez, Z. (August 2018) What's Normal Anyway? Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Dallas, Texas.
Thompson, J. (July 2018). Child Development. Observation. Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Plano, Texas.
Wright, M. & Thompson, J. (with moderator support Stanković-Ramirez, Z.). (June 2018). Playfulness in Tech. Professional Learning Institute PLI NAEYC. Austin, Texas.
Thompson, J. (February 2018). KEYNOTE: Learning Together in the Company of Children. Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program.
Thompson, J., Brown, D., Geneser, V., & Walker, J. (October 2017). Pathways to Becoming an Early Childhood Professional. Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. San Antonio, Texas.
Thompson, J. (August 2017). Keynote: Pathways to Becoming an Early Childhood Professional. Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Plano, Texas.
Thompson, J. & Stanković-Ramirez, Z. (July 2017). Observation and Assessment. Dallas Association for the Education of Young Children. University Park, Texas.
Thompson, J. (July 2017). Child Development. Observation. Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Plano, Texas.
Thompson, J. & Stanković-Ramirez, Z. (June 2017). P.L.A.C.E.S. Children Grow. Annual Conference National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators. San Francisco, CA.
Gamez, S., Foote, M., Pearce, K.N., & Thompson, J. (May 2017). Building a Reggio Environment. Thirteenth Annual Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium. Commerce, Texas.
Thompson, J. (2017). Rich Words for Free. Christian Montessori Conference. San Antonio, Texas.
Thompson, J., Baker, I., & Walker, K. (September 2016). Classy books for all ages and stages. Annual Conference, Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Dallas, Texas.
Thompson, J., & Gordon, B. (September 2016). Montessori Silent Journey and Discovery. Annual Conference, Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Dallas, Texas.
Golden, F., Lawson, E, & Thompson, J. (July 2016). Re-Sorting the Word Wall. International Literacy Association. Boston, MA.
Thompson, J. (June 2016). Child Development. Observation. Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. Plano, Texas.
Thompson, J. & Baker, I. (June 2016). Rich Words for Free. NAEYCProfessional Development Institute. Baltimore, MD.
Thompson, J. & Baker, I. (June 2016). Rich Words for Free. National Head Start Association. Nashville, TN.
Thompson, J. & Murcia, C. (April 2016). Rising Tide Raises All Boats. DFW Montessori Association. Dallas, Texas.
Thompson, J. (April 7, 2016). Hundred Language Zoo. Twelfth Annual Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium. Commerce, Texas.
Thompson, J., & Reid, M. (March 2016). Freedom and choice. Deeper Learning 2016. San Diego, California.
Thompson, J. & Walker, K. (March 2016). Deeper Learning: Lessons from Early Childhood. SXSWedu Mentor Panel. Austin, Texas.
Thompson, J. (January 2016). Adding up to Count Down! Books to Bring a Child’s Language to Life! Educational First Steps. Dallas, Texas.
Thompson, J., Hallman, & Kinnard, T. (October 2015). Boys in School: Making Room for Each and Every Child. Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Galveston, Texas. http://faculty.tamuc.edu/jthompson/boys/
Thompson, J. (April 2015). Living with Learners. Workshop. Deeper Learning 2015www.deeper-learning.org/dl2015. San Diego, California. http://faculty.tamuc.edu/jthompson/ll1
Thompson, J., Brown, D., & Geneser, V. (October 2015). Re-Telling Your Story: Writing the Stuff of Early Childhood Education. Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Galveston, Texas.
Araujo, J., & Thompson, J. (November 2014). Siguiendo el viaje de Enrique: Preparándonos para la próxima inundación de niños inmigrantes en nuestra puerta y más adelante en nuestras aulas (Following Enrique's journey: Preparing for the next flood of immigrant children at our door and in our classrooms). National Association for the Education of Young Children. Dallas, Texas.
Thompson, J., Hallman, D., Huber, M., & Kinnard, T. (November 2014). Boys in School: Making Room for Each and Every Child. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Dallas, Texas. http://faculty.tamuc.edu/jthompson/boys/
Brown, D., Geneser, V., & Thompson, J. (September 2014). Meet the Editors: Publishing in Early Years. Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Austin, Texas. http://www.texasaeyc.org/?page_id=622
Golden, F., Lawson, E., & Thompson, J. (September 2014). Kids' College: Outdoor Learning STEM Academy. Project Galleria, Research Poster Presentations, Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Austin, Texas.

International

Thompson, J. (2013). The Indigenous Child's Use of Language. Reconceptualizing Early Childhood http://receinternational.org/. Nairobi, Kenya. http://faculty.tamuc.edu/jthompson/rece
Thompson, J. (April 2011). Words at Work with Early Language Production. Annual Conference. Association of Childhood Education International. New Orleans, LA.
Foote, M., Hammack, B., & Thompson, J. (2006). “Backpacks to Family Nights”. Association for Childhood Education International. San Antonio, Texas.
Thompson, J. (2003). “Pragmatic Functions in Caregiver Speech”. International Conference: Oral Language of School Children. Organized by Laboratoire de Linguistique et Didactique des Langues Etrangères et Maternelles. Located at Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres de l'Académie de Grenoble. 30 av. Marcelin Berthelot, F-38100 Grenoble, France.
Thompson, J. (2003). “Five Language Functions used by Caregivers Talking to a Toddler”. Child Language Seminar. School of Education, Communication & Language at Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

Grants & Awards

2020 Men in Education Network M.E.N. Interest Forum $900 membership grant from National Association for the Education of Young Children
2019 Texas AEYC www.TexasAEYC.org President's Trust Fund $500 for Multi-cultural Literature for ECE 358.
2019 CCAMPIS up to $185,000
2018 <Awarded October 1, 2018> CCAMPIS Child Care Access Means Parents in School $185,000 for 4 years = $740,000.
2017, Texas Affiliate Grant, for highlighting benefits of NAEYC accreditation in DFW Metroplex, from Texas AEYC, $500
2016, Texas Affiliate Grant, for recruiting membership in Dallas AEYC, from Texas AEYC, $500
2015, Master Leadership Recognition, Childcare Exchange Leadership Initiative, www.childcareexchange.com/eli-directory/nggallery/page/12.
Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium, May 2014, $500. Early Childhood Committee of the Federation of North Texas Universities.
2013, International Travel Research & Presentation Grant, to Nairobi, Kenya, http://receinternational.org/2013.html Texas A&M University-Commerce Faculty Development Committee, $2000.
2013, Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS), U.S. Dept. of Education, http://www.ed.gov/programs/campisp/index.html. $67,000.
Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium, May 2013, $500, Early Childhood Committee of the Federation of North Texas Universities.
2012, Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS), U.S. Dept. of Education, http://www.ed.gov/programs/campisp/index.html. $67,000.
Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium, May 2012, $1500, Early Childhood Committee of the Federation of North Texas Universities.
2011, Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS), U.S. Dept. of Education, http://www.ed.gov/programs/campisp/index.html. $67,000.
Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium, May 2011, $2000, Early Childhood Committee of the Federation of North Texas Universities.
Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium, May 2010, $2000, Early Childhood Committee of the Federation of North Texas Universities.

Education

Ph.D. (2001). Humanities, The University of Texas at Arlington. Dissertation: Adaptations of Language Functions in Caregiver Speech: Nurturing the Acquisition of Pragmatic Competence. Dissertation Chair: Dr. Nancy Hadaway. Major Adviser (Early Childhood Education): Dr. Carol Sue Marshall.
M.Ed. (1986). Elementary Education, Dallas Baptist University.
B.M. (1980). Piano Performance, Trinity University. Student of Karl Leifheit.

Associations

Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Co-Chair, Publications Committee (2012-2016)
Dallas Association for the Education of Young Children Co-President (2015-2017)
MIGHTY! Men for Young Texans - MyT
National Association for the Education of Young Children, Men in Education Network M.E.N. Interest Forum
National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators www.naecte.org
www.MenTeach.org
International Reading Association www.Reading.org
Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group http://clrsig.org/nbgs.php
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics www.nctm.org
American Montessori Society http://amshq.org/
Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program www.DallasMontessori.com
Dallas Audubon Society Dogwood Canyon and Cedar Ridge Preserve

Krogh, S., & Morehouse, P. (2014).The early childhood curriculum: Inquiry learning through integration (2^nd Ed.). Taylor & Francis, Publishers. ISBN 9780415828222.

Dr. Josh Thompson (he/him)

Department of Curriculum & Instruction