Josh Thompson

Dr. Josh Thompson is a Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at East Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce), where he has been a faculty member since 2004. He holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from The University of Texas at Arlington (2001), an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Dallas Baptist University (1986), and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Trinity University (1980). His academic journey includes positions as Assistant Professor (2004-2010), Associate Professor (2010-2021), and Professor (2021-present), along with serving as Graduate Faculty member since 2004.

Dr. Thompson's research focuses on early language acquisition, developmental cascades as an alternative to traditional developmental stages, gender differences in men's approaches to parenting and teaching, and anti-bias/anti-racist education with particular emphasis on welcoming Black fathers into educational spaces. His work bridges theory and practice through collaborations with the Montessori community, Reggio Emilia approaches, and bilingual education frameworks. He has been instrumental in shifting the field from rigid 'ages and stages' models to more fluid 'waves of development' concepts that better reflect children's complex developmental pathways.

His research reveals significant trends toward understanding child development as interconnected cascades rather than linear stages, with implications for more responsive teaching practices. He has pioneered approaches that integrate play as an equity issue, recognizing that access to playful learning experiences varies across socioeconomic and racial lines. His collaborative work with Dr. Lindsey Wilson on welcoming Black fathers has reshaped understanding of family engagement in early childhood settings.

• Ronnie Brooks Mentoring in Education Award (2021)
• Dr. Harry Wade Senior Faculty Award (2022)
• Multiple CCAMPIS grants totaling over $700,000
• International Travel Research Grant to Nairobi, Kenya (2013)
• Master Leadership Recognition from Childcare Exchange (2015)

Dr. Thompson has mentored over 20 doctoral students through completion, with research spanning topics from Black men's fraternity involvement to emergent bilingual students' sociocultural competence. His grant work, including the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program, has secured over $400,000 in funding to support student parents. He leads the Educators Play Lab, Co-Lab for Developmental Cascades research, and the ABAR (Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist) initiative. His teaching philosophy centers on the belief that 'a teacher CARES' is the most significant factor in teaching effectiveness, and he champions playful learning as essential to children's development across all domains.