M.A.Ed. Faculty

Program Director

Kara Vandas, M.A.

Associate Professor of Education; Program Director

B.S. (University of Wyoming) Biology

M.A. (Regis University) Curriculum and Instruction

Program Faculty

John A. Cattin, M.A.

Assistant Professor of Education

B.A., (Mesa State College) English, Secondary Education

M.A., (Regis University) Special Education, Moderate Needs K-12

Experiential:  Educator in Colorado public schools, private Christian schools, institutions with incarcerated and adjudicated youth for 24 years, teaching language arts (9-12), special education (9-12), and alternative education with at-risk youth (9-12); professor of business and education for Colorado Christian University from 199602006; affiliate faculty member of Regis University since 2005.

Professional:  Affiliate Faculty Member of Regis University, Advisor and Teacher for alternative high school in District 51 in Western Colorado.

Lisa Leith, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Education

B.A. (University of the Incarnate Word) Psychology

MBA (University of the Incarnate Word) Marketing and Finance

Ph.D. (University of Colorado at Denver) Educational Leadership & Innovation

Experiential:  Principal of K-8 & K-12 private school; Research Associate: The PT3 Grant; Instructor of Teacher Education; Principal of Denver Street School; Vice President of School Development for StreetSchool Network

Professional:  Director of Principal Training & Support and Intermediary Coach of Alternative High School Initiative

Deborah Schweikert-Cattin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Education

B.A., (Fontbonne University) Special Education, Learning Disabilities, Emotional, Behavioral Disorders, and Reading/Literacy (K-12)

M.A. (Western State College) Educationally Handicapped (K-12), Elementary Education (K-6)

Ph.D. (Union University) Teacher Education, Curriculum and Program Development, Educational Psychology (Adolescence-Adult)

Teaching License Endorsement: Elementary K-6 and Educationally Handicapped K-12

Experiential:  Educator in Colorado public schools for 30 years, teaching elementary, K-6; in special education, K-12; reading/literacy specialist, K-adult; and alternative education with at-risk youth, 8-12.  Advisor to high school students in alternative high school

Professional: Professor of Education for Colorado Christian University and Regis University

Kara Vandas, M.A.

Associate Professor of Education; Program Director

B.S. (University of Wyoming) Biology

M.A. (Regis University) Curriculum and Instruction

Experiential: Middle school and high school teacher at both alternative and charter schools; professional development, including new teacher training, methods of teaching science training, and learning environments training, for teachers within the Edison Schools system; Owner of Adolescence In Mind, providing professional development around working and teaching adolescent-aged students

Professional: Director of Education for StreetSchool Network

Bushrod B. White, Ed.D.

Associate Professor of Education

B.A. (Western State College) History

M.A. (Colorado State University) Adult and Community Education

Ed.D. (Nova Southeastern University) Educational Administration

Principal License

Experiential: Teacher of art, history, geography, and photography; Assistant Principal of middle school; Principal of K-12, middle, and high school; Adjunct Professor and Director of Educator Licensing Programs for Colorado Christian University; Title II Part A Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Education;

Professional: National Data Director for the StreetSchool Network