Ball State University (BSU): Educational Studies

Our very own Dr. Regina Giraldo.

🎶🌎 This week’s Teachers College Fun Fact Friday takes us around the world!

Meet Regina J. Giraldo-García, Associate Professor of Research Methods.

Regina grew up in Venezuela and studied in El Sistema, a program known for transforming lives through music and community.

She played the oboe for 17 years with the Anzoátegui Symphony Orchestra, touring in Venezuela, Colombia, and Spain. Along the way, she performed in everything from small towns to major cities, and even at the Monasterio de Montserrat in Barcelona.

She reflects on how meaningful it was to experience such different audiences and cultural settings through music.

What an incredible journey! 🎶

🐰 ️ Hoppy Friday 🐰
Baskets for our WONDERFUL student workers & a happy bunny may have hidden candy filled eggs around TC.

Prof. Moss is excited and ready for spring!
🌞🌻🌼🌞💐🌞⚘️🪻🌞🌷🏵🌞
How about you?
💐 Have you stopped by TC 805 to say hi to the newest member of our team?
🟢 Prof. Moss is a 6-year-old Moss Ball (Mariolmo)... I can live in excess of 200 years!
Seriously, stop by, sign the guest book, and snap a selfie. 📸 (grab some candy 🍬)

Welcome the newest member of the Educational Studies family—Professor Moss (aka Prof. Moss)! 🌿
Today, Prof. Moss enjoyed a tour of campus, tried the newest craze at Starbucks (and loved it!), met students in the Student Center to chat about the Educational Studies minor, supported two student organizations at the Scramble Light, and admired the beauty of Beneficence.

Stop by the 8th floor of Teachers College to say hello, snap a selfie, grab some candy, and pick up information about the new Educational Studies minor!

🌍💬 This week’s Teachers College Fun Fact Friday celebrates language, culture, and connection!

Meet Dr. Somanita Kheang, Assistant Professor of Educational Studies, who specializes in Adult and Community Education.

Somanita uses three languages every day:
🗣️ English for work and professional conversations
🏠 Khmer with her family and community back in Cambodia
🎬🎶 Thai for fun: she watches Thai movies and sitcoms, listens to music, and even understands the slang and humor!

She says it’s like "living in three different worlds at once," and she loves how each language ties her to a different part of her identity.

Ball State University (BSU): Educational Studies

🎉🎙️ The first Teachers College Fun Fact Friday of 2026 is here, and it’s an inspiring one!

Say hello to Ramo Lord, Assistant Teaching Professor in the Ball State University (BSU): Educational Studies Department.

From 2015 to 2018, Ramo hosted a bi-weekly radio show called “Exploring Labor’s Concerns” on The Union Edge Radio in Pittsburgh. The show focused on workplace safety and industrial hygiene, featuring stories from OSHA, MSHA, NIOSH, shop floor practitioners, and even family members impacted by serious injuries on the job.

With sponsorship from the United Steelworkers, United Mine Workers, AFSCME, and the Teamsters, the show was a platform for education, empathy, and safer work environments.

Here’s to starting the year with passion, purpose, and powerful storytelling!

Tonight the Educational Studies Department took time to celebrate the holidays & enjoy each other's company. It truly was a wonderful evening.

We’re excited to share that Dr. Mike Steele, chair of TC’s Department of Educational Studies, is featured on the cover of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ flagship journal, "Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PreK–12!"

His article, “Pacing a Discourse-Rich Lesson: When to Move On,” offers guidance on how teachers can make informed decisions about when to transition in a lesson, while preserving rich, student-centered discussion. The issue also includes a reflection by Muncie Community Schools teacher and Ball State alum Kelly Agnew, adding a meaningful classroom perspective.

One of our favorite quotes from the article:
“I use a bonsai tree metaphor in thinking about classroom discussions—student contributions grow the tree, and the teacher’s strategic questions shape the tree into something beautiful.”

Although the full article is currently available only to NCTM members, we are proud to highlight this national recognition for our faculty and local educators! 🌳✨

Ball State University (BSU): Educational Studies