Faculty

Sister Mary Rachel Capets, O.P., Ph.D.
Dean, School of Education
Assistant Professor of Education
srmrachel@aquinascollege.edu
Phone: (615) 297-7545 x282
Fax: (615) 279-7546

Sister Elizabeth Anne Allen, O.P., Ed.D. Director, Center for Catholic Education Assistant Professor, EducationCenter for Catholic Education (615) 297-7545 x471

Ed.D., University of Memphis
M.Ed., The University of Southern Mississippi
M.A., Notre Dame Pontifical Institute for Advanced Studies
M.A., Middle Tennessee State University
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University

Sister Elizabeth Anne Allen is a member of the Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia, Nashville, Tennessee. Her doctoral research concerns student perspectives of Catholic Identity as it is expressed and lived out in their schools.   Having served in the roles of teacher and administrator on the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels, Sister is passionate about the importance of teaching and is involved nationally with the professional formation of educators.

Sister Mary Rachel Capets, O.P., Ph.D. Dean of the School of Education Assistant Professor, EducationDirector, Pilgrimage Program (615) 297-7545 x282

Ph.D., Education, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia
M.S.E.L., Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN
B.S., Aquinas College, Nashville, TN

Sister Mary Rachel Capets, OP is a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. Her doctoral work is on the impact of pilgrimage on the faith and faith-based practice of Catholic educators. Sister has taught a range of ages of students throughout the United States and in Australia and has led faith formation for adults.

Sister Matthew Marie Cummings, O.P., Ed.D. Professor, Education School of Education (615) 297-7545 x455

Ed.D., University of Memphis
M.S., University of Memphis
M.A., Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College
B.A., Belmont College
A. A., Aquinas College

Sister Matthew Marie is a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation of Nashville, Tennessee and is professor of education at Aquinas College. She holds a Doctor of Education degree, as well as a Master of Science degree, in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership from the University of Memphis. In addition, she has a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Notre Dame Institute; a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Belmont University; and an Associate of Arts degree from Aquinas College. A national speaker on the integration of technology in classroom instruction, curriculum, and the development of professional dispositions in the pre-service teacher, Sister also sponsors the Aquinas College Student Chapter of ASCD.

Elizabeth R. Donlon, Ed.D. Assistant Professor, Education School of Education (615) 297-7545 x403

Ed.D., Lipscomb University
M.Ed., Lipscomb University
B.S., Vanderbilt University

Betsy Donlon attended Vanderbilt University (B.S. Elementary Education and Human and Organizational Development) and Lipscomb University (M.Ed. Instructional Leadership and Ed.D. Learning Organizations and Strategic Change). She completed her student teaching in Cambridge, England, and taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades, and served as Assistant Principal and Principal at a small Catholic school in north Nashville. Her Masters thesis topic was on brain-based activities in the classroom and their influence on students’ reading comprehension, and her doctoral research centered on the effect of community involvement in schools on school climate and student achievement. At Aquinas, Dr. Donlon teaches Methods in Teaching Language Arts, Social Studies, and Culture, Children’s Literature, Speech, and Drama, Methods of Instruction for Secondary Teachers, and Modes of Instruction. She also supervises student teachers and job-embedded practice candidates. Dr. Donlon is a native Nashvillian, and married to David (junior high Latin and Math teacher at Overbrook School) and has 3 children — Mollie (age 5), Jack (age 3), and Thomas (6 months).

Sister Mary Justin Haltom, O.P., Ed.D. Lecturer, Education School of Education

Ed.D., University of Memphis
M.Ed., Xavier University
M.A., Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College
B.S., George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University

M. Annette Little, Ph.D. Lecturer, Education School of Education

Ph.D., Peabody College at Vanderbilt University
M.A., Austin Peay State University
B.S., University of Tennessee, Martin

Dr. Annette Little taught special education classes in residential treatment centers, public schools, and alternative schools for eight years before moving into higher education. She then spent four years directing research projects in the areas of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, reading and writing strategies for students at risk for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, and prevention of behavior problems. Dr. Little is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2007. She has taught classes in general education, special education, and applied behavior analysis in higher education institutes since 2005. She is currently serving as the director of the Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis certification program at Lipscomb University.

Sister Elena Marie Piteo, O.P., Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Psychology School of Education 615-297-7545 x398

Ph.D., University of Adelaide, South Australia
M.A.T., Aquinas College
B.P., University of Adelaide, South Australia

Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner, O.P. Ph.D. (candidate) President (615) 297-7545 x424

Ph.D. (candidate), Middle Tennessee State University
M.A., Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies
M.S., The University of Southern Mississippi
B.A., University of Jamestown

Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner, O.P. is a member of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. She currently serves as President of Aquinas College.

After receiving her post-baccalaureate teaching license from Aquinas College, Sister Cecilia Anne went on to receive an M.S. in Science and Mathematics Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.A. in Thomistic Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception. She is presently completing her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Middle Tennessee State University; her dissertation focuses on pedagogical strategies that build coherence between mathematics methods coursework and fieldwork. Sister’s primary research interests focus on various aspects of pre-service teacher education.

Sister Cecilia Anne has experience teaching at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels. At Aquinas College she teaches a math and science methods course in the School of Education. She has also has had administrative experience at the secondary and collegiate levels, coordinating department and student programs and events. Sister Cecilia Anne has served on regional school accreditation teams and has worked in the field of advancement. 

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