Dr. Major is currently a full professor of education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her teaching load includes Social Studies Methods, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Models of Teaching, various Middle School graduate courses and supervision of pre-service interns at the University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene Center. The Department of C&I has an innovative elementary education program (K-8) that provides early and continuous practicums and a culminating year-long internship in partner schools. She co-teaches courses with classroom teachers and conducts instructional and action research within these partner public schools.
Dr. Major is also the Director of
Middle Grades Connection, which is a
Turning Points regional center for the northwest. Turning Points is a national, research based reform model where selected middle schools engage in a three year intensive reform process. As director, she provides grant writing, guidance, a coaching staff and professional development for the school leadership and staff. Her regional office is an affiliate to the
Center for Collaborative Education in Boston, Massachusetts.
Previously, she was a professor at the University of Southern Maine. At Southern Maine, Dr. Major had seven years experience in professional development schools. She developed the first Middle School PDS and was the university based site coordinator of the Wells-Ogunquit PDS District. The program at USM was rated as an exemplary program and was part of the following networks: National Education Association (NEA) Teacher Education Initiative, Goodlad’s Network for Educational Renewal, and National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching through Teachers College, Columbia in New York City. Dr. Major specializes in Middle School and was chair of the
Professional Preparation Committee for National Middle School Association for 6 years, was the former President and co-founder of the
Maine Association of Middle Level Educators, and was a board member of the
New England League of Middle Schools.
Dr. Major directed a three-year study of Professional Development Schools at the University of Southern Maine, which was part of a seven-university study sponsored by NEA. Her publications have resulted from research conducted in the area of middle school education, university partnerships with schools, and instructional strategies. She has presented regularly at AACTE, NMSA, NRMERA, NELMS and other international, regional and state conferences. Dr. Major has consulted nationally and internationally in the areas of Teaming, Advisory, Middle School Reform, Teacher Education and Social Studies Education. Dr. Major is a former teacher at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
