Phone: 309-677-3201

Email: jhunzicker@bradley.edu

A native of Central Illinois, Dr. Hunzicker taught eighth grade language arts in Pekin District 108 for seven years before moving into school administration. As a school administrator, she served three years as Dean of Students at Illinois State University's Thomas Metcalf School, five years as an elementary principal in East Peoria District 86, and one year as an elementary principal in Washington District 52 before moving into higher education.

Dr. Hunzicker teaches the two middle school endorsement courses, the introductory reading and language arts methods courses, and one graduate course: Introduction to Teacher Leadership. She also supervises Bradley novice teachers. Her teaching style is a mix of traditional instruction and active learning with some emphasis on technology. Structuring each course with a textbook, she tries to enliven classes with meaningful discussion, activities, and projects to promote higher order thinking and provide opportunities for students to apply information and ideas.

Dr. Hunzicker's research interests include effective teaching practices, teacher leadership, and professional development for both pre-service and practicing teachers. Particularly intrigued by the success of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), she recently published a book entitled The Leverage of National Board Candidacy: An Exploration of Teacher Learning (Universal Publishers, 2006). Written for teachers considering the pursuit of National Board certification, the book chronicles the experiences of three Illinois teachers during their NBPTS certification year, describing their teaching practices, guiding philosophies, and thought processes as their learning through the NBPTS certification process is explored.

As a supplement to her teaching and research, Dr. Hunzicker serves as a university liaison for the Peoria Grow Your Own Teachers program and the National Board Resource Center’s University Partnership. She is also president of Illinois Women in Educational Leadership (IWEL), a statewide organization of women administrators and teacher leaders.

Degrees and Certification

A Bradley University alum, Dr. Hunzicker holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (1989) and a master's degree in Educational Administration (1994). In addition, she holds a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University (2006). She is currently completing requirements for the Illinois superintendent's endorsement through ISU.