Elementary Education

Assist. Prof. Jodi Ferris-Buzby
Assistant Professor
Email: jbuzby@adrian.edu
Office: Valade-113
Office Ext.: 3383

Jodi Buzby is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Adrian College. She brings over 30 years of experience in public education, having served as a teacher, literacy coach, and administrator. Jodi earned her Master's degree in Literacy and an Educational Administration Endorsement from Grand Valley State University. She also holds a Central Office Endorsement through the Horizon Leadership Academy, sponsored by the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators.

Jodi is passionate about preparing future educators who are both well-equipped and deeply committed to their craft. She values collaboration with colleagues and students alike and is excited to continue making a positive impact in the field of education through her role at Adrian College.

Assist. Prof. Danielle Gilbert
Assistant Professor
Email: dgilbert@adrian.edu
Office: Valade-121B
Office Ext.: 3823

Danielle Gilbert is an Assistant Professor in the Teacher Education Department at Adrian College. She brings over 15 years of teaching experience at the elementary and middle school levels and is deeply committed to student growth and success. Danielle earned her Master’s in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Adrian College. Her work focuses on preparing future educators through practical, student-centered approaches. She is committed to preparing teacher candidates for long-term success by fostering meaningful learning experiences, emphasizing the value of strong student-teacher relationships, and collaborating with colleagues and school partners to ensure a well-rounded, practice-driven approach to teacher education.

Dr. Kyle Griffith
Assist. Prof., Director, Institute for Education and Liberal Arts Studies
Email: kylegriffith@adrian.edu
Office: Valade-121
Office Ext.: 3898

Dr. Kyle Griffith is a professor in the Teacher Education Department. He received his Doctorate degree from Northcentral University specializing in Educational Leadership. He came to Adrian College in the fall of 2022 following thirty plus years of experience in K-12 education as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent of schools.. During his first year at Adrian College, Dr. Griffith developed a Master’s degree for Educational Leadership, with its first graduates walking at this December’s graduation. Dr. Griffith also played a key role in establishing a partnership between Adrian College and Talent Together to support the teacher shortage in Michigan by offering courses to aspiring teachers as they work to earn state certification. Last spring, Dr. Griffith also earned recognition from Adrian College students as they voted him as “the favorite professor” on campus. Dr. Griffith currently serves as Director for the Institute for Education, an advisor for Alpha Tau Omega, as well as playing a role on several committees at Adrian College. Dr. Griffith is the father of four (with three of the four being triplets), he lives in Blissfield, Michigan with his wife Amy.

Dr. Vanessa Morrison
Professor, Chair, Dept. of Teacher Education
Email: vmorrison@adrian.edu
Office: Valade-116
Office Ext.: 3952

Vanessa Morrison, Ph.D., currently serves as Chair of the Teacher Education Department where she teaches a variety of Graduate and Undergraduate courses since joining Adrian College in 2007. A former elementary teacher, assistant principal, and Reading and Language Arts specialist, she has a passion for helping to inspire, motivate, and prepare program candidates to provide quality PK-12 content knowledge to enable academic excellence in our school-age population. She has co-authored The STEM Roadmap Curriculum Series (elementary) published by The National Science Teaching Association; book chapters; and a number of peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as numerous regional and national presentations on literacy and STEM content, and conducted professional development for PK-12 teachers. She is strongly committed to the field of education and working with colleagues across the disciplines to ensure our Adrian College students touch the lives of future generations in positive ways.

Assist. Prof. Krista Schindel
Assistant Professor
Email: kschindel@adrian.edu
Office: Valade-109
Office Ext.: 3951

Krista Schindel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Adrian College. She brings over 13 years of experience as an educator, including 12 years teaching middle school math and science. Most of her K–12 teaching career was spent at Washington Local Schools in Toledo, Ohio, with her final year in the classroom at Madison Middle School. At Adrian College, she is dedicated to preparing future educators for success in today’s classrooms.

Assist. Prof. Kate R. Steele
Assistant Professor
Email: ksteele@adrian.edu
Office: Merillat-242B
Office Ext.: 3968

Kate Steele brings over two decades of teaching experience in physical education and health to Adrian College, where she serves as an Assistant Professor in both the Exercise Science and Athletic Training, and Teacher Education departments. She earned a Master of Arts degree from National Louis University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University. Since joining the faculty in Fall 2023, Kate has been dedicated to preparing the next generation of physical education and health educators.

Kloey Swanson
Email: ktenbrink@adrian.edu
Office: Valade-115
Office Ext.: 4625