Pierre Laclede Honors College

Susan Catapano, Ed.D.

 

photo of bohenkampSusan is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at UMSL. She is the former owner and operator of two state licensed, nationally accredited early care and education programs that served 400 children and their families in St. Louis City and County. Susan has a doctorate in higher education with concentrations in adult learning and early childhood education. She spent one year (2002-2003) in Durham, North Carolina, as the executive director of one of North Carolina's Smart Start community partnerships. Durham's Partnership for Children distributed $8.2 million to local agencies to support the services to families and children, age birth through five years.

Susan teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in early childhood education and early childhood special education. She prepares undergraduate students to earn Missouri State Teacher's Certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth through 3rd grade. Susan spends part of each week working in the St. Louis Pubic Schools' elementary programs supervising students and supporting classroom teachers. Her research interests include preservice teacher preparation and supporting teachers learning to work with diverse populations. Susan has published several articles and managed numerous federal, state, and local grant projects that focus on teaching in urban schools. She is an active member of the local, state, and National Association for the Education of Young Children.