Meet the Faculty & Staff

• Dr. Claire M. Thornton , Associate Professor, Chair of the Graduate Education Department, and Director of the M.Ed. and Licensure Programs, holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Notre Dame College, an M.Ed. from Lesley University as a Special Education Administrator, and a Ph.D. from Boston College.  Dr. Thornton has over 38 years of experience in the field of Education as a Special Education Administrator, Learning Disabilities Specialist, and Elementary classroom teacher.  She has published research relating to grief and helping children heal.  This research, as well as current educational issues, have been presented at the national, regional, and local levels for administrators, specialists, teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents. Currently, Dr. Thornton is a journal referee for the monthly periodical "Teaching Children Mathematics", as well as an educational consultant for professional organizations, school boards, and parent advocacy groups. Prior to coming to Merrimack College she was a professor at Providence College, Boston College, and Notre Dame College.
• Dr. Joanne M. Gurry is an assistant professor in the Graduate Education Program, and the Director of the Graduate Institute for Teachers at Merrimack. Dr. Gurry has her B.A. from Boston College, M.A. from UMASS/Amherst, and Ed.D. from Boston University. Prior to coming to Merrimack, she was a teacher, department chair, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in public schools. She was an adjunct professor at UMASS/Boston, and a consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Education. Dr. Gurry also serves on numerous boards and committees of private schools in the Boston area.
• Professor Pamela Christodoulo has been teaching at Merrimack in both the undergraduate and graduate divisions of education since 2002.  Prior to coming to Merrimack, Professor Christodoulo worked in both public and private schools as teacher, admissions director, vice principal and principal. In addition to her Massachusetts State teacher and administrator licenses, she is a trained evauator in the Skillful Teacher, a certified examiner of the Weschler Intelligence Scales, and a trained leader in the Reach Out to Schools:  Social Competency Program. She has completed her undergraduate work at Lesley University, and her graduate work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 
• Professor James (Jay) Dumas joined the Merrimack College faculty in January 2003 as a Supervisor for the Practica of students in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. Prior to joining Merrimack College, he held positions as an Elementary teacher, Secondary Math teacher, Assistant Principal, Director, and Principal. Professor Dumas holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, and a Master in Educational Administration with Distinction from Salem State College.
• Professor Julie Fleming has a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State College, and is currently teaching the practicum seminar for graduate student teachers as well as supervising graduate student teachers from Merrimack College, Lesley University, and Salem State College. She Has taught in the fields of Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education for numerous years, as well as holding various positions in administration. 
• Professor Jane Molchan is an outstanding Math Curriculum Specialist extensively involved in modeling lessons for teachers, and system-wide training for teachers and administrators. Professor Molchan has extensive experience as an Elementary school teacher, Middle school teacher, Principal, and College Professor.
• Professor Amy Noonan, an experienced educator from the Westford School District, has joined the Merrimack College community as an Adjunct Professor.  Professor Noonan earned her B.A. in Human Development with double minors in Elementary and Special Needs from Rivier College. She received her Master Degree in Reading from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Professor Noonan has taught Special Needs children in a middle school setting. She teaches ED 510G; ED 522G; and GRAD 501.
• Professor Suzanne Hall has been an adjunct faculty member at Merrimack since 1994. She holds an undergraduate degree from Salem State College in Early Childhood Education, and a graduate degree from Tufts University in Education with a concentration in Child Study. For the past 27 years, Suzanne has worked as an elementary teacher for both the Somerville and Wakefield Public Schools.  She has also been employed as a consultant for local public schools in the area of Special Education. 
• Professor Yvonne Coleman teaches ED 503G:  Children's Literature and the Arts. Professor Coleman holds a B.A. in English, and a Master Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She has been a Librarian for 26 years, reviewed books and other media, and published numerous articles in children's services journals. 
• Professor Loretta D’Alessandro  was educated at State University Colleges of New York and received Bachelor and Master Degrees in Education/Reading. She holds teaching licenses in Elementary Education, Consulting Teacher of Reading, and Elementary/Middle School Administration. Professor D"alessandro has taught in a variety of educational environments at college, schools, and corporations.  
• Dr. Susan Smith is currently an Adjunct Professor at Merrimack College, and other institutions of higher learning. Professor Smith earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio State University, her Master of Science Degree from Troy State University, and her Doctoral Degree from the Univeristy of Massachusetts Lowell. She is a renowned language and creative arts specialist. 
• Professor Sally Magner received her M.Ed. Degree from Merrimack College in 2002, and as a Supervising Practitioner, has mentored numerous Practicum candidates from Merrimack College. She has been teaching in the Andover Public School system for the past 15 years, and is currently teaching GRAD 502:  Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability at Merrimack College. 
• Professor Colleen Dolan comes to us from the Andover Public Schools as a highly trained Reading Specialist with a Master Degree in Reading and Language Arts. Professor Dolan has presented numerous professional development workshops throughout the country, and is teaching ED 518G:  English Language Learners:  Teaching Proficiency Across the Curriculum. 
• Professor Diane Winkelman received her M.Ed. Degree from Boston University, and a Master Degree in Speech Language Pahology from Worcester State College. For the past 13 years, she has worked as an outstanding speech language pathologist in the Andover School System. 
• Professor Barbara Blunn, M.Ed. teaches ED 536G; and ED 527G. Professor Blunn is a highly qualified Learning Specialist in the Andover schools.