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Dr. Joseph Polizzi

Dr. Joseph Polizzi

Associate Teaching Professor; Director of the World Campus Online Doctor of Education Program

274 Chambers Building
University Park, PA 16802

Department(s)

  • Education Policy Studies

Program(s)

  • Educational Theory and Policy Program, MA
  • Education Policy and Leadership, PhD
  • Educational Leadership Program, DEd, M.Ed

Center(s)

  • Center for the Study of Leadership and Ethics (CSLE)

Most excited about: Impact and Innovation

Current Research: Understanding the Landscape of Love in Schools.

Education

  • PhD, Educational Administration and Leadership, Pennsylvania State University
  • MS, Secondary Education, Hofstra University
  • BA, English, Le Moyne College

Biography

Before joining the faculty at Penn State University,  Joe was Director of the Principal Preparation programs and Associate Professor at Sacred Heart University. He also served as an Associate Professor and the Program Director of the Educational Leadership certification programs and Chair of the Education department at Marywood University.

 

He began his career as New York State Senate Fellow and policy analyst on the Senate Education Committee followed by service as a high school English teacher in New York City. He was awarded a Fulbright to teach English at Leőwey Klára Gimnázium, Hungary, and taught English as a Second Language at the University of Pécs.

 

Joe’s research focuses on the qualities of ethical relationships in school settings and transformative learning from many perspectives and traditions and the social and emotional landscape of learning. His recent book is Understanding Suffering in Schools: Shining a light on the Dark Places of Education (Routledge 2023).  

Areas of Expertise

Expertise and Research Interests

Ethical Leadership
Graduate Education
Informal Education
Program Design and Development
Qualitative Research Methodology
Social and Emotional Learning
Transformative Learning

Most Recent Papers

  • Understanding Suffering in Schools: Shining a Light on the Dark Places of Education, 2023, Routledge
  • Polizzi, J. A., & Ronan, D. (2020). Contemplation for educators: Theoretical, ethical, and practical dimensions drawn from the Catholic intellectual tradition. Values and Ethics in Educational Administration15(2), 1–8.
  • Silva, A., & Polizzi, J. A. (2019). Women living history: A case study exploring transformational learning in a living history organization.  Journal of Transformative Learning, 7(2), 57–70.
  • Polizzi, J.A. (2015). Using the arts to make people think and remember issues of global sustenance. In S. Gross & J. Shapiro (Eds.), Democratic ethical educational leadership: Reclaiming school reform (pp. 81–85). Routledge.
  • Polizzi, J. A., & Frick, W. (2012). Transformative professional development: Authentic reflective practice for school leadership, teaching & learning. The Journal of Natural Inquiry & Reflective Practice, 26(1), 20–34.
  • Outstanding Book Award, Society of Professors of Education, 2024
  • Don Walters Award (2017). New Democratic Ethical Educational Leadership Conference—Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Fulbright Teacher Exchange-Hungary 2000-2001
  • Director World Campus Education Doctorate
  • Educational Research Design
  • Foundations of Education Research
  • Qualitative Data Analysis and Design
  • Internship