Mary Beth Lawton
Professional Title: Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education / Developmental Psychology
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:
Early Childhood Education; Child Psychology
Area of Work and Concentration at Lesley: Director, College of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Education Division; Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education/Developmental Psychology
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
EEDUC 5122 Development and Learning: Psychosocial Perspectives in Education; CPSYC 2401 Child Psychology; CEDUC 4360 Working with Parents and Children in Integrated Early Childhood Settings
Education: BS, Colby College; MS, Wheelock College; CAGS, University of Vermont; EdD, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Representative List of Recent Publications / Exhibitions:
- Lawton, M.B.; Mindess, M; Fiore, L.; Mardell, B. and Szamreta, J. (2011). Early Childhood Education at Lesley: 100 Years. In Brown, C.F. and Forinash, M.(Eds), A Century of Innovation: Lesley University. Baltimore, MD: Publish America
A safe, accepting learning environment enables risk-taking, growth and learning. I view students as co-constructors of knowledge; Therefore, I draw on their wisdom and prior learning experiences in order to “lead out”, from the Latin definition for education “educare”. I think it is important for prospective teachers and those in the helping professions to reflect on their own familial, cultural and educational experience in order to become mindful, reflective educators and healers.