Sunshine Sullivan

...“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

Assistant Professor of Education
On Faculty since 2004
Phone: (585) 567-9685
Email: sunshine.sullivan@houghton.edu

Education

  • PhD program, University of Buffalo (currently)
  • MS, Binghamton University, 2004
  • BA, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 1997

Courses Taught

  • Educating Exceptional Learners         
  • Foundations of Language and Literacy for Diverse Learners, I & II
  • Seminar of Reflective Teaching        
  • Intercultural Literacy and Development in Zambia

Professional Memberships

  • Council for Exceptional Children     
  • International Reading Association
  • National Council of Teachers of English
  • American Educational Research Association

 Professional Experiences and Consultancies

  • Presenter, National Reading Conference, December 1-4, 2010 (upcoming)
  • Presenter, Council for Exceptional Children Conference, April 2009
  • Presenter, International Community of Christians in Teacher Education Conference, May 2008
  • Collaborates with classroom teachers from local rural schools and Buffalo inner-city schools
  • Consultant for  the Committee for the BOCES 21st Century Grant (2004-2008)
  • Consultant for the 21st Century Mentoring Program (2007-2010)
  • Professional Development Facilitator
    (2001-2004)
  • Special Education Teacher and Consultant for grades 9-12 (1997- 1999) and grades K-5 (1999- 2004)

Research Interests

  • Teacher mediation of literacy learning
  • Family Literacy in Rural and Urban Settings
  • Mentorship of First-Year Teachers
  • Professional Development
  • Spelling Development & Instruction

Personal Journey

“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength... Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
                                                                   Mark 12:30-31

One of my greatest joys is to grow with students toward understanding and following these commandments.  I have enjoyed conversations in class settings, small groups in my home, as well as individual conversations in the coffee shop that draw us closer to God and all of our neighbors.  I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him here as well as the challenges He has and will continue to guide me through

As you consider what God is calling you to do, remember the passage above.  How and where we follow these commandments will look differently for each of us. Seek Him first. Take time to be still and know that HE is God and trust Him with all of your heart and understanding.

May you find peace and understanding throughout your journey. May you know that God loves you and although I do not know you, my brother and sister, I love you too.