Dennis L. Eastman, Ph.D. - Biola University

EDUCATION
Dennis L. Eastman, Ph.D.
Email: dennis.eastman@biola.edu
Phone: 949-212-7946
2008 Ph.D. Educational Studies. Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California
Dissertation: Constructs of Moral and Performance Character and Their Relationship to Student
Attitude and Behavior in School.
2000 California Teaching Credential. Social Science Professional Clear/CLAD.
1998 M.A. ED Curriculum and Leadership. Biola University, La Mirada, California
High Honors, Thesis: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation and Effects on Student Performance,
received “Thesis of the Year” honors.
1992 B.A. Christian Education. Biola University, La Mirada, California
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2010-Present Director of Teacher Education, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
Oversee Teacher Preparation and Credentialing Programs for Multiple,
Single, and Professional Clear credentials.
Serve as Overseas Student Teaching representative and liaison; facilitate
Overseas Student Teaching for credential candidates.
Serve on the following committees:
School of Education Leadership
Teacher Preparation Sub-Committee (Chair)
Student Teaching Supervisors Meetings (Chair)
Undergraduate Chair Committee
Faculty Search Committee
Support and implement the mission, goals, purposes and policies of Biola
University and the School of Education.
Lead, conduct, and participate with University and education faculty members
in meetings.
Coordinate with other academic departments to ensure availability of support
courses and collaborate with these departments to ensure courses are
congruent with the objectives of the education curriculum.
Promote a scholarly atmosphere; encourage, support and facilitate research
and creative activity of faculty and students.
Ensure the department needs for quality full-time and part-time faculty are
met; assist in providing input to the Dean of Education in assigning faculty to

department committees, tasks or special projects as needed; recommends
faculty to the Dean of school and university committees.
Provide oversight of the team of University Student Teacher Supervisors for
elementary and secondary schools.
Assist in developing content, quality and implementation for Teacher
Preparation within the curriculum; oversee course content related to the
Teacher Preparation Program.
Assist with supervision of the ongoing program evaluation in collaboration
with the CalTPA coordinator, the Teacher Preparation Committee, and Dean.
Collaborate with the teacher education faculty to maintain understanding of
current trends and innovations in teacher practice, education and research.
Cultivate and maintain partnership discussions and participation with
community agencies providing student learning experiences.
Collaborate on budgetary decisions.
Work with the Teacher Preparation faculty to ensure the Teacher Education
Program maintains compliance with the California Commission on Teacher
Credentialing and the Association of Christian Schools International’s
standards and regulations.
Ensure that the education program fulfills its educational outcomes and
meets accreditation standards.
Assume a full time teaching load including three units release time for
administrative activities.
Collaboratively write accreditation documents for Teacher Preparation
accreditation.
2007-2010 Principal, Nova Academy Early College High School, Santa Ana, CA
Direct and manage instructional program and supervise operations and
personnel at the Early College High School.
Provide leadership to ensure high standards of instructional service.
Oversee compliance with district policies, success of instructional programs,
and operation of all campus activities.
Highlights:
Program specifically designed for foster, at-risk, and first time college
attending students.
Ninety-five percent Hispanic, 90% Free/Reduced Lunch program.
2007: First graduating class completed over 300 transferrable units of
college credit. One student graduated with her AA and transferred to
Biola University with Junior status.
2008: API scores improved from 539 to 705 (166 points). Largest
increase of any school in California.
2009: Over 65 inner city urban students attending Community
College
Over 1000 units of college credit earned since school opened in 2005
Recruited over 200 students for school over past 3 years.
Actively participated in raising over 20% of operating budget funds
2009: NOVA Academy awarded a Bronze Medal as one of the top
60 schools in California by US News & World Report

2010: NOVA Academy received “Educator of the Year” Award by
OC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
2010: NOVA Academy received Pacific Investment Management
Corporation (PIMCO) Community Excellence Award
2009-2010 Adjunct Faculty, Vanguard University, Department of Education
2009 Curriculum Evaluation and Development. Graduate level course
equipping professional program candidates to evaluate, develop and analyze
curriculum analyze and evaluate curriculum in the elementary and secondary
classroom.
2010 Curriculum Leadership and Evaluation. The study and practice of
high yield strategies for improving professional practice including peer coaching,
collaboration, study groups and learning teams. Well-designed evaluations will
inform participants about the effectiveness of professional development practices
and guide the content, form and structure for creating teacher-led learning
communities.
2010 Theories of Teaching and Learning. This course examines principles
of teaching that can be derived from social science research, including
behavioral, cognitive and social theories.
2010 Advanced Models of Teaching. This course explores a variety of
teaching models and curriculum theories. It includes applications of such
models and student designed curriculum projects.
2000 – 2010 Adjunct Faculty, Biola University, Department of Education
2000-Present Classroom Behavior and Management: Graduate level course
equipping professional program candidates (teachers, business personnel) with a
variety of practical instructional and management strategies that can be used in
diverse educational settings.
2009-Present Methods of Social Science. Methods for conducting social science
research, with a strong emphasis on developing critical thinking strategies that
promote deeper analysis among students.
2009-2010 Designing Successful Classrooms. The first week of school sets the
tone for the entire year. Success entails making plans for instruction, positive
relationships, conduct procedures, and time management. This course will focus on
making theory applicable so that teachers are well prepared to launch the next
school year.
2004-2008 Introduction to Teaching: Pre-service teacher education introduction
to educational issues and theories and their relationships to professional practices in
the elementary or secondary classroom including lesson planning and fieldwork;
accommodating special needs, such as disabilities, second language learners,

aptitude differences; diversity issues; technology issues; health and safety issues;
and classroom discipline.
2005 TPE State Certification: Assessment of student teacher performance
expectation level four (Engaging and supporting students in learning). Provide
professional scoring and critique for student teacher video assignments.
2004 Foundations of Education: Graduate level foundational issues and
theories and their relationships to professional practices in the elementary or
secondary classroom including lesson planning and fieldwork; accommodating
special needs, such as disabilities, second language learners, aptitude
differences; diversity issues; technology issues; health and safety issues; and
classroom discipline.
2003-2004 Current Issues in Education: Graduate level course analyzing current
educational issues that impact teachers and students across a wide landscape of
topics.
2000-2002 Student Teaching Observation: Collaboration and assessment of
student teachers in both public and private schools working toward California state
teaching credential.
Spring 2003, 2005-2007 Adjunct Faculty, Biola Unversity, Department of
Kinesiology, Health and Physical Education
Methods in Physical Education: Pre-service teacher introduction to the application
of instructional techniques and methods associated with teaching physical education
effectively. Course addresses current and relevant practices of student motivation,
teaching styles and practices, developmental needs, instructional analysis, and
assessment of program effectiveness for both elementary and secondary levels.
Secondary concepts include teaching toward a multicultural society, student learning
styles, and multiple intelligences. These concepts will then be applied by the student
utilizing clinical micro-teaching experiences.
1998 – 2001 Resident Counselor, Concordia University, Irvine, CA
Managed housing.
Interacted with 200 residents and eight resident advisors.
08/1998 – 2007 Administrator/Director of Faculty Induction, Lutheran High
School of Orange County, Orange, CA
Effectively created and implemented a program whereby new teachers are
guided and provided with professional development opportunities to move from
novices to impacting members of an active learning community.

Provided formative assessment, individualized support and advanced content
coaching for both beginning and experienced teachers through:
Providing an effective transition into the teaching career for first through
third year teachers with the primary goal of moving new teachers from
survival to proficiency.
Improving the educational performance of students through improved
training, information, and assistance for participating teachers via one to
one collaborative observation and immediate feedback.
Equipping teachers to be effective in educating students with
differentiated learning needs (EL, RSP, AP).
Ensuring the professional success and retention of new teachers
Developing a proficient pool of mentors to provide intensive individualized
support and assistance throughout the first year of teaching.
Providing consistent assessment (minimum six formal observations
annually) to assist in the development of the beginning teacher.
Continuous program improvement through ongoing research,
development, and evaluation.
09/1998- 2007 Instructor, Curriculum Development, Lutheran High School of Orange
County, Orange, CA
AP Government / Honors Economics: Prepares students to become active
members of a democratic society through engaging in community proceedings such
as: political activity hours, working election polls, courthouse visitation, city council
attendance, and interviewing special interest representatives.
2003-2004 American Leadership Institute: An introduction to the historical
and current theories of effective leadership. Students engaged in developing an
explanation of “What is effective leadership?” and “Why is it important to become an
effective leader?” Through the utilization of critical thinking and analytical skills
students will discover the foundations of American Democracy and the
characteristics and strategies used by those leaders who developed America into a
great nation.
2000-2001 AP United States History: Course intended to prepare students to
participate in national examination in May of school year.
1998-2001 World History: Non- American history.
1998-2004 Strength Coach, Lutheran High School of Orange County, Orange, CA
Strength training for men’s and women’s athletics.
Nutrition instruction for men’s and women’s athletics.

1997-1998 Athletic Director, Brethren Christian High School, Cypress, CA.
Oversaw for athletic department.
Hired and evaluated coaches.
Compiled schedules and officials.
Coordinated programs and facilities.
Raised funds; fiscal responsibility.
Oversaw media relations.
Acted as CIF and city government liaison.
1993-1998 Instructor, Curriculum Development, Brethren Christian High School
Government / Economics: Instructor, Curriculum Development.
World History: Non- American History. Instructor, Curriculum and Staff Development.
1993-1998 Football Coach/Strength Coach, Brethren Christian High School
Junior Varsity Head Coach
Varsity Defensive Coordinator
1990-1997 Orthopedic Technician, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Orange, CA
PRESENTATIONS
Assisted emergency physicians with patient care.
Performed ER surgical procedures, wound care, and splint application.
California State University Fullerton. Guest Lecturer: Content Area Literacy for Social
Studies.
Claremont Reading Conference. Dynamic Strategies for Promoting Reading
Comprehension and Community in the Secondary Classroom.
Vanguard University. Guest Lecturer: Charter Schools and the Changing Educational
Environment of California, Integrating Character Curriculum into Daily Classroom Paradigm,
Qualitative Research Design.
Association of Christian Schools International. Motivating The Unmotivated Student:
Strategies For Success In The Secondary Classroom, Moving Borders: Challenges,
Tribulations, And Diplomacy In The Social Science Classroom, Differentiated Learning
Opportunities For The 21st Century.
Lutheran Educators Conference. Critical Thinking Strategies For The Secondary Social
Science Classroom, Creating An Interactive Social Science Classroom.

Biola University.
Montebello Christian School (August 2010). NO Shortcuts To The Top: Creating An
Environment Of Attempt In The Classroom.
Biola University (August 2010). Leadership Seminar to Delegation of Thai Military Leaders.
Montebello Christian School (September 2010). Content Flow and Delivery: Five Senses of
Education.
ACSI Conference (Fall 2010). Act Like What You Do Matters-It Does! Closing the Achievement
Gap through Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships.
Spinitar Corporation (October 2010). Maximizing Visual Impact through the Senses.
Mission Hills Christian School (January 2011). Raising Rigor through Rubrics.
Graves Middle School (February 2011). Biola Visit: Five Things to Consider Before High School.
South Whittier School District (February 2011). In Tough Times, Change Your Focus.
KKLA Frank Pastore Show (March 2011). Equipping the Next Generation of Christian
Educators.
State of Education Symposium (March 2011). Pressing Questions/Topics in CA Education
Today.
The Prentice School (April 2011). Creating the Dream Classroom.
Beirut, Lebanon Educators Conference (September 2011). Motivation in the Classroom
Begins with You.
ACSI Conference (Fall 2011). We Teach Who We Are, Who Are You?
Christian Educators Association International (January 2012). Biblical Integration in the
California Standards.
Spirit Academy (January 2012). Motivation and Differentiated Instruction.
Graves Middle School (February 2012). Biola Visit: Five Things to Consider Before High School.
Spirit Academy (March 2012). Motivation and Differentiated Instruction.
Whittier Christian Elementary (June 2012). Biblical Integration.

PROFESSIONAL PAPERS
Promoting Teacher Efficacy towards Instruction of Character Education in the
Classroom. Professional paper prepared for Continuous Improvement Associates as part of a
federal grant proposal on teaching character education in schools.
AWARDS
Alumni of the Year 2009-2010, Biola University
Recognized for academic achievement results with inner city, at-risk youth in Santa Ana, CA.