Nkechy Ezeh, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
Phone: (616) 632-2431
E-mail: nkechy.ezeh@aquinas.edu
Nkechy
Ezeh, Ed.D. joined the Aquinas College faculty in 1997.
Nkechy earned her AA in Child Development from Grand Rapids
Community College, BA in language Arts & Literature, M.Ed
in Early Childhood Education from Grand Valley State University,
and Ed.D in Child and Youth Studies with specialization
in Curriculum Development and Systemic Change from Nova Southeastern
University. Dr. Ezeh who is from Nigeria, West Africa is a strong
advocate for children and has worked as a preschool teacher,
Child Development Program Director, Adult and Parent Educator
and Early Childhood Education Consultant. Dr. Ezeh, a member
of the faculty of Aquinas College School of Education teaches
several Early Childhood Education courses, Emergent Literacy,
Multicultural Education, Human Growth & Development and
Educational Psychology.
Dr. Ezeh also serves as the Director of the Early
Childhood Endorsement Program. Since 2002, she has been
working diligently to integrate the key principles of the Reggio
Emilia approach into the Early Childhood Endorsement Program.
She also collaborates with Aquinas College Reggio inspired laboratory
Schools and other professionals who are interested in the Reggio
Emilia Approach. Dr. Ezeh was one of the U.S. delegates to Reggio
Emilia, Italy in 2001 and a panelist on the 2004 Oxford University
Early Literacy Round Table. Dr. Ezeh conducts training on Early
Childhood related topics and on integrating the Reggio Emilia
principles into a staff development and teacher preparation
program – the focus of her doctoral dissertation. Dr.
Ezeh enjoys spending time with her five wonderful children (Onyinye,
Obinna, Kaka, Nnenna and Niki) and her husband Pius. She has
developed passion for American football, why not; her son Obi
Ezeh was a star running back for Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Cougars and now plays for the University of Michigan.
Presentations
“Play and Literacy,” Kent Intermediate School District. A workshop specifically designed for teachers who work with Pre-K and DK children. Research is only the beginning to show the immense importance that the first years have in determining children’s future success in many areas, particularly in literacy.
“Bound by Literacy,” Michigan Reading Association
Research
Integrating the principles of Reggio Emilia into the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) - a case for a balanced approach.
The PYP draws on research and best practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant, engaging, challenging and significant educational framework for all children.
Hailed as the best preschools in the world by Newsweek Magazine (1991), the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education has attracted world wide attention of educators and researchers. National association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)'s developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) guidelines included examples from Reggio Approach. The approach requires children to be seen as competent, resourceful, curious, inventive, and posses a desire to interact and communicate with others.
