Kate Lerseth

Kate Lerseth serves as Professor of Teacher Education, Teacher Education Department Chair, and Associate Dean of General Education and Assessment at Simpson College. Her administrative leadership spans faculty development, departmental oversight, and institutional assessment from her office in Dunn Library 125.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Literacy Education (Iowa State University, 2013)
• M.A. in General Elementary Education (Viterbo University, 2006)
• B.S. in Curriculum and Instruction (Iowa State University, 2002)

Dr. Lerseth's research integrates literacy education with technological frameworks, specializing in TPACK implementation for vocabulary and science instruction. Her work examines professional identity formation in pre-service teachers through longitudinal conference presentations, bridging classroom practice with theoretical models. She emphasizes practical applications for elementary educators through state and national conference engagements.

Analysis of her 12 publications (2008-2015) reveals an evolving trajectory from foundational science writing and vocabulary strategies toward sophisticated technology integration models. The TPACK framework dominates her recent work, demonstrating consistent focus on enhancing teacher preparation through digital pedagogy while maintaining core literacy principles.

Her service includes significant student organization leadership:

• Advisor of the Year: Best Buddies (2014)
• Advisor of the Year: Best Buddies (2016)

As Best Buddies advisor, she mentors students in creating inclusive communities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her administrative roles indicate deep institutional involvement in faculty development and curriculum assessment, though specific grant funding isn't documented in available materials.

Collaborative research with faculty like Sharon Jensen and Susan Hughes demonstrates cross-disciplinary teamwork focused on practical educational technology solutions for Iowa classrooms.