Deborah Focarile

With a doctorate in curriculum and instruction/reading, I have a strong background in education with several content specializations. I am certified by the State of Texas as a reading specialist and a master reading teacher. I have also successfully taught math and science in the public school. While serving in these capacities, I was part of the Educational Service Center Region XII Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching, a Teaching American History Fellow at Baylor University, as well as serving on several math curriculum committees. In addition to content area specialization, I have gained endorsements from the state of Texas in ESL and Gifted and Talented Education. I have a strong teaching background with over 20 years of classroom experience in the middle grades. I have taught specialized subjects (math and science), self-contained classrooms, pullout programs that include services for students gifted and talented, ESL, and at-risk students. My commitment to outstanding teaching is evident by earning National Board certification as a generalist in middle childhood (grades 4-8).

I served for thirteen years as a fulltime tenured professor of education at McLennan Community College. In addition to teaching, my responsibilities included placing and monitoring students in field placements, advising and partner collaboration.

Currently, I am a fulltime lecturer at Baylor University teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in the School of Education in Educational Psychology, Education Leadership, and Curriculum and Instruction. I am a faculty mentor for the Leadership and Education Living and Learning Community.

I have recently been appointed to the Fulbright Specialist Roster for a term of three tears. I serve on the executive boards for South Central Area Network of School University Partnerships (SCAN SUP) and Texas Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (TACCTEP). I am on the editorial board of Texas Association of Teacher Educator journal (TxATE) and a reviewer for Journal of Educator Research and Practice (JERAP). My current research includes a program evaluation of the educator preparation program at Baylor University.

At Walden University, where I have been an active Contributing Faculty member since 2008), I have served as a Senior Contributing Faculty member. I teach doctoral seminars in the CIA/Reading and PhD ORAE programs in an online format as well as chair and serve on doctoral study committees. In addition, I also teach in the undergraduate Elementary Education program.

Additionally, I served as an adjunct instructor for Texas Tech and Tarleton State University where I teach undergraduate courses that addressed Children's literature, reading in the content areas, math/science methods, ESL in the classroom, and assessment.

Courses Taught

EDDD 8102 - Promoting the Success of Diverse Learners

EDPD 8064 - Literacy Interventions for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations

Education

EdD, Baylor University

MEd, Baylor University

BS, Baylor University

Awards / Honors

Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society, , 1999

Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science, , 2001

Teaching American History Fellow, Baylor University, , 2006

Fulbright Specialist Roster, , 2024

Publications

Focarile, D., Aguilar, S. (2022). Perspectives of Direct Instruction using more rigorous mathematics standards.. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation

Presentations

Focarile, D. (2014). Diverse Learners and their Needs. McLennan Community College

Focarile, D. (2016). Engaging Students in the College Classroom. McLennan Community College

Focarile, D. (2013). Emotional Intelligence. McLennan Community College

Focarile, D. (2025). Continuous Improvement through Program Evaluation: Survey Design, Findings, and Next Steps.

Focarile, D. (2025). Vision Through Evaluation--Fulfilling TAC 228 Changes Through Program Evaluation: Evaluating an EPP through Students’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy, Resilience, and Program Effectiveness.