Friends University: Master of Arts in Teaching

[ MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING ]

About Our Director

Dr. Dona Gibson has been an elementary classroom teacher and a teacher of gifted elementary students for Kiowa and Wichita Public Schools. She joined the faculty of Friends University in 1981, where she now is tenured and holds the rank of full professor.

Dr. Gibson often consults with local school districts, serving as QPA coordinator or holding a position on site council for various area schools. She also serves weekly as a volunteer tutor at Stanley Elementary in Wichita.

Dona Gibson is the Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Friends, and teaches both graduate courses in that program as well as courses in the traditional undergraduate program. She teaches a variety of courses, most of them related to educational psychology or the exceptional child.

Dr. Gibson is also responsible for the development and implementation of an undergraduate course called International Teaching Experience. Teacher Education students who enroll in this course study the history and culture of Great Britain for several weeks before traveling to London and the Midlands for first-hand experience in many aspects of the British lifestyle.

Dr. Gibson serves on several university committees related to Teacher Education, Graduate Programs, and General Education. She is an active member of several national professional organizations including the Association of Teacher Educators and Phi Delta Kappa.

Dona is married to Dr. Richard Gibson, an associate professor at Friends. Together Dona and Rick have five children and four grandchildren. Dona loves family activities, England, teaching, and domestic travel.