Faculty Biographies

Ravitha Amarasingham
Division of Humanities and Education
Professor of Childcare

Office: B118
Extension: x2593

Education:
Ed.D.- Adult Development and Continuing Education (Boston University)
M.S. - Leadership in ECE (Wheelock College)
B.S. (A.P.A.U., India)

Philosophy:
My philosophy of education embraces theory and practice that supports and promotes unity in diversity. Unity is not uniformity, homogenization, or standardization. I believe that unity is about bringing and seeing the harmony between individuals, different perspectives, and many ways of being in this world. Unity, at the individual or personal level is about having a strong sense of inner self. It is also about being able to achieve a balance between the needs of the self and the demands of others. Implied in all of this is change and a change that results in a deeper understanding of self while respectfully accepting the differences in the 'other'.

In the process of trying to understand and serve the diverse constituents I have come to understand the intricate dynamic relationship and challenges in making policy and everyday practice uphold diversity, inclusion, and equity. Pluralism is at the heart of humanity and accepting this truth, I believe, makes me appreciate our diversity.

Courses Taught:
ECE 12 Observing, Recording, and Analyzing Early Childhood Settings
ECE 23 Infant-Toddler Development
ECE 36 Infant-Toddler Curriculum Planning
ECE 52 Teaching Practicum II and Seminar II - Preschool Setting
ECE 60 Play, Thinking, and Development in the Young Child
ECE 61 Teaching Pre-Practicum

Licenses/Certifications:
Professional Certificate in Child Life
Certificate in Montessori Teaching
Foundations of Leadership Certificate
Dismantling Racism Certificate

Affiliations:
National Association for the Education of Young Children
ACCESS

Publications:

Dissertations

Professional Development of Women Child Life Specialists. Boston University, 1989.

Journal Articles

“Visioning Comprehensive Early Care and Education Professional Development Career Advising.” A Documentation of Gateway Initiative's National Forum 2002

“An Overview of Financial Aid Resources for Early Care and Education Practitioners: A planning Manual.” A multiple site product outcome of Gateways Initiative 2002

Presentations:

Presentations

"Re-visioning Articulation: Linkages in the Continuum of Studentsí Success" Cantigny Conference 2002. McCormick Tribune Foundation Chicago, IL (October 23-25, 2002)

"The U.S. Department of Labor Child Care Apprenticeship: Involving stakeholders and responding to community needs and assets in professional development" Annual Conference of National Association for Education of Young Children. (November 4-8, 2003)

"Access to tools for student assessment: how do we know they are learning?" NAEYC Professional Development Institute. (2006)

Awards:
Center for Creative Leadership Scholarship Award, Greensboro, NC (1997)
Mathematics Appreciation Award Pierce School Math League, Brookline, MA (1996)
President's Faculty Award, Mount Ida College, Newton, MA (1995)

Interests:
Professional Development, Multicultural Education, and Reflective Practice