Faculty and Staff
Amanda Eller, PhD
Department Chair | Clinical Professor
Office: College of Education, Twin Falls, Hepworth 117 A, CSI Campus
Focus Areas: K–12 teacher preparation generalist, literacy specialist
Dr. Amanda L. Eller, PhD, EdS, MEd, is a Clinical Professor in the Teaching and Educational Studies Department at ISU-Twin Falls. Since joining ISU in 2014 after 16 years of elementary teaching, she has been dedicated to preparing teachers in the Magic Valley, partnering with ISU-TF staff and CSI faculty. She previously led the in-person undergraduate Teacher Education Program and now teaches online in both undergraduate and graduate education programs. In Fall 2024, Dr. Eller became Coordinator of Teacher Preparation in the Magic Valley and was appointed TES Department Chair in November 2024. She has received the COE Faculty Excellence Award, ISU Outstanding Teacher recognition, and multiple awards from the Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association.
Cory Bennett, PhD
Professor
Office: College of Education 108 D
Beverly Ray, PhD
Professor
Office: College of Education 107 C
Focus Area: Impact of current and emerging technologies on teaching and learning
Dr. Ray is a former secondary level geography teacher with expertise and training in instructional technology. Her research interests include current and emerging technologies and K-20 instructional practices, including autonomous and gameful learning pedagogies. Dr. Ray has offered professional development sessions globally across her career.
Wendy Ruchti, PhD
Associate Professor
Office: College of Education 107 B
Focus Areas: Science, STEM Education
Dr. Wendy Ruchti is an Associate Professor of Science and STEM Education, specializing in transforming K-12 education through innovative STEM practices. Her research centers on critical areas of integrated STEM teaching and learning, the effective integration of STEM disciplines, and comprehensive STEM School transformation models. With a deep commitment to practical application, Dr. Ruchti actively partners with educators, school leaders, and district administrators. She provides expertise and support to schools aiming to strategically integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into a cohesive curriculum. Her ultimate goal is to enhance the educational experience by significantly increasing student engagement in STEM fields and nurturing strong interest in diverse STEM careers at a young age. Through her work, Dr. Ruchti would like to drive meaningful, systemic change in education to prepare the next generation of innovators.
Jenn Gallup, PhD
Associate Professor of Special Education
Office: College of Education 107 D
Celal Perihan, PhD
Associate Professor
Office: College of Education, 108 C
Allison Roxburgh, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Office: College of Education 107E
Corey Bartle, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Idaho Falls TAB 332
Ph.D. in Learning Sciences – University of Washington
M.Ed. – Eastern Washington University
B.A. in History – Western Washington
Dr. Corey Bartle spent his early education years in the Seattle area and taught K–8 for more than a decade, primarily in middle school Social Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Learning Sciences from the University of Washington, where his research focused on Inquiry Pedagogy and Social Studies education. As Clinical Faculty, Dr. Bartle enjoys supporting beginning teachers in developing best practices grounded in research and reflective teaching.
Suzanne Beasterfield
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: College of Education 226 B
Shu-Yuan Lin, EdD
Clinical Professor and Instructional Materials Center Coordinator
Office: TAB Rm 277, Idaho Falls Campus
Dr. Shu-Yuan Lin is a Clinical Professor specializing in English as a Second Language instruction and technology integration. Her research interests include concept mapping, family engagement, accessibility for multilingual learners, ethical use of artificial intelligence in education, and program assessment. She serves as Coordinator of the College Instructional Materials Center and as a Provost Fellow for Assessment, supporting university accreditation and program-level assessment.
Jill Radford, EdS
Clinical Instructor of Deaf Education
Office: College of Education 226 C
Joanne Toevs, MEd
Clinical Instructor
Office: College of Education 226 A
Kaywin Cottle, M.Ed.
Clinical Instructor
Office: College of Education, Magic Valley Area, CSI Campus Mini Cassia Center, Room A13a
Kaywin Cottle serves as Clinical Instructor at Â鶹´«Ã½AV's College of Education, where she supports future educators following her 2024 retirement from Burley Junior High School. As a Common Sense Media Educator, she emphasized digital citizenship and family engagement throughout her teaching career. With over three decades of educational experience, including corporate roles at eBay and TRO/Plato/Edmentum, she brings unique real-world technology perspectives to teacher preparation.
A passionate advocate for responsible digital literacy and AI integration, Cottle actively participates in ISTE's General Motors AI Explorations Professional Learning Community and served as an AI reviewer for ISTELive+ASCD 2025. She supports the Idaho STEM Action Center, the Open+Pedagogy+Advocacy+Leadership workgroup, Idaho STEM EcosySTEM, Idaho Out of School Network, and Idaho Education Association. She is a former recipient of the WE Teachers Award and recently partnered to share the aiEdu Readiness Framework.
Cottle regularly presents at conferences on critical digital literacy, STEM implementation, and responsible AI education. At ISU, she's developing the Future Educators program in Region 4 and leading curriculum updates that integrate AI aligned with ISTE and Idaho standards, ensuring teacher candidates are prepared for technology-enhanced learning environments.
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Dona Orr
Clinical Instructor
Dona Orr is a faculty member in the School of Education at Â鶹´«Ã½AV, where she teaches in Business Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, and CTE teacher education. With over 30 years of postsecondary teaching experience, she has been instrumental in shaping CTE education across Idaho. Dona has served as both Director of Secondary Programs and Director of Professional Development and New Teacher Training at the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, where she created the state's non-credit training and mentorship program for new CTE teachers. A published author, frequent presenter, and current Ph.D. student at the University of Idaho, she has been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from both the Idaho Business Education Association and Business Professionals of America, and holds Emeritus Professor status at Boise State University.
Spencer Christensen, EdS
Clinical Instructor
Office: Education Building, Room 230
Brandie McCray, MS
Clinical Instructor
Office: Twin Falls Campus, Hepworth 117 A
Brandie McCray is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Teaching and Educational Studies at ISU-Twin Falls. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on literacy development, assessment, intervention, and teacher preparation. Before joining ISU, she taught in the elementary grades and served in teacher leadership roles supporting literacy instruction, curriculum implementation, mentoring, and student intervention. Her professional interests include structured literacy, evidence-based reading and writing instruction, and preparing educators to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Elizabeth Metts, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Office: College of Education, Room 107F
Staff
Mona Heern
Director of Clinical Experience
Office: College of Education, Field Experience 219
Ask me about: ISU school partnerships, teacher clinical experience questions
Karen Ludwig
Advising Coordinator
Office: College of Education, Kent Center 211
Laurel Tomin
Advising Coordinator
Office: College of Education, Kent Center 210
April DeLozier
Administrative Assistant II
Office: Reed Gym 201
Mahlet Asfaw
Administrative Assistant I
Office: College of Education, Kent Center 215
Focus Areas: General Field Experience Office Questions, Background Checks, Stipend Dispersal, CPI Funding, and Consortium Agreements
Mahlet Asfaw is an Administrative Assistant for the Office of Field Experience and the Kent Center for Student Success, with a background in customer service and insurance management. She specializes in administrative coordination, effective communication, and providing support to students, staff, and partners with professionalism and efficiency. Her experience has enabled her to develop strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a service-oriented approach, contributing to a welcoming and well-managed academic environment. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Management from Unity University and an Associate degree in Insurance from the Ethiopian Institute of Banking and Insurance. Outside of work, she enjoys roasting coffee and preparing traditional Ethiopian foods for her family.