Professional profile
I am a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota doctoral program in educational psychology. While at the University of Minnesota, I had the honor of working with David and Roger Johnson, the premier scholars in cooperative learning and constructive controversy. I also had the pleasure of working with Geoffrey Maruyama, who is one of the premier scholars in the social psychology of education with an emphasis on educational diversity issues.

My dissertation study is titled "The impact of Constructive Controversy on Children’s Moral Development." My master’s thesis is titled "Educating the Whole Child: A Best Practices Comparison of Montessori and Waldorf Education." My research interests include early childhood education, play, moral development, social interdependence, holistic learning, creativity, spirituality, peace education, education for social change and the creation of empirically based child-centered learning environments.

Prior to graduate school, I worked as a program manager for Head Start. I supervised two classrooms, managed all of our mental health and disability services and helped with staff development. I am a social psychologist of education who is very passionate about early childhood education and transformation of the dominant paradigm in education.

While at the University of Minnesota, I taught teaching educational psychology, multicultural leadership and mentoring and cooperative learning classes. As a new professor of teacher education here at St. Norbert College, I have the pleasure of continuing my work in the field of early childhood education through teaching courses related to play and early childhood educational philosophy.

I will continue to bring my social advocacy and social change lens to the research and teaching that I do as a professor and a scholar in the field of education. I am looking forward in engaging students and colleagues in collaborative efforts across disciplines.

I am an active member of the American Educational Research Association (ERA) , serving as a member of the Holistic Education Special Interest group’s membership committee, as a reviewer for several special interest groups (including: spirituality in education, peace education, action research, early childhood education, cooperative learning, conflict resolution and moral development).

I am an active member of the American Psychological Association, with active participation in the following divisions: educational psychology, SPSSI (the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues) and humanistic psychology. I am an active member of the Association for Moral Education, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Association for Psychological Science.

Location: Boyle Hall
Room: 237
Phone: (920) 403-2949
Fax: (920) 403-4078

Mailing Address:
St. Norbert College
100 Grant Street
Boyle Hall, 237
De Pere, WI 54115-2099

michelle.tichy@snc.edu

Academic credentials:
B.A., Bring College
M.A., University of Minnesota
Ph.D., University of Minnesota

Courses taught:
EDUC 274 The Role of Play in the Education of Young Children
EDUC 392 The History and Philosophy of Early Childhood Education