Education
- Ph.D., The University of Toledo, Curriculum and Instruction
- M.Ed., The University of Toledo, Early Childhood Education
- B.Ed., The University of Toledo, Elementary and Early Childhood Education
- A.M.S. Montessori Certification, A.D.M.T.E.I., Pre-Primary Credential
Biography
Dr. Christina Mirtes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education in the Early Childhood Education program area instructing in undergraduate and graduate courses. Her education experience includes an earned Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Toledo (2014) with a major in Early Childhood and concentration in Special Education. Prior to her appointment at Eastern Michigan University in 2016, Dr. Mirtes brings over 20 years of classroom teaching experience (PreK-3) and over a decade in higher education, Montessori certification and is an early childhood educational consultant.
Dr. Mirtes is demonstrates statewide leadership as she is actively involved with the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) and serves on various Michigan Department of Education to include:
- Early Childhood Endorsement Review and Revision Committee as co-chair and lead researcher for MDE Teacher Certification Birth-Kindergarten general and special education band
- Curriculum Review Committee for the Great Start Readiness program
Currently, Dr. Mirtes serves as the faculty advisor for the early childhood education student organization, EMU-ECE.
Interests and Expertise
Research Interests
Dr. Mirtes' research interests are in the area of contemporary play behaviors during the formative years with particular focus on discourse and best practice with the use of technology among preschool children.
Prior to her appointment at Eastern Michigan University, Dr. Mirtes has gained expertise in the field with over 20 years of teaching experience in inclusive early childhood classroom settings, served as an early childhood classroom consultant and has 12 years in higher education to share with our Early Childhood Education students. Dr. Mirtes instructs in our undergraduate and graduate programs via face to face and hybrid instructional delivery venues.
Courses
- State of Ohio teaching certificate at the Professional Level (K–8)
- Montessori Teaching Credential (3–6 year old)
Publications and Presentations
Selected Publications
Selected Presentations
International Presentations
- Mirtes, C. M. (2017, April). Contemporary Play in Early Childhood: Revisiting Best Practice while using Technology Among Preschoolers. Presentation at the High Scope International Conference, Detroit, MI.
- Mirtes, C. M. (2016, April). Contemporary Play: Preschool Language During Play with Technology and Implications for Best Practice. Presentation at the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) Global Summit on Childhood themed Creating a Better World for Children and Youth Through Sustainability, Social Innovation and Synergy. San Jose, Costa Rica.
National Presentations
- Mirtes, C. M. (2017, November). Intentionality: Maintaining Best Practice while Incorporating Technology in Play-based Preschool Environments. Presentation at (NAEYC) National Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference, Atlanta, GA.
- Mirtes, C. M. (2015, June). Contemporary Play Behaviors: An Analysis of Preschool Discourse Among Preschool Children During Play Situations while using Technology and while using Traditional Play Materials – Informing Practice with Implications for Early Childhood Education Professionals. NAEYC National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, New Orleans, LA.
State Presentations
- Mirtes, C. M. (2018, April). Concepts to Go! Literacy Bags Supporting Intentional Teaching in the Content Areas. MiAEYC Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.
Mirtes, C. M. (2018, February). Concepts to Go! Literacy Prop Bags supporting STEAM. Michigan 4C Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI. - Mirtes, C. M. (2017, April). Contemporary Play in Early Childhood: Revisiting Best Practice. MiAEYC Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.
- Mirtes, C. M. (2017, February). Evaluating Professionalism: Raising the Bar on Appearance, Attitudes and Behaviors. MiAEYC Professional Development Institute, Dearborn, MI.
Local Presentations
- Mirtes, C. M. (2017, December). “Concepts to Go!”: Literacy Bags Supporting Intentional Teaching in the Content Areas for PK–3 Pre-service Teachers, Funded grant by Women in Philanthropy at Eastern Michigan University.
- Mirtes, C. M. (2017, April). Appropriate Expectations for Young Children: What They Are (And Are Not!) Capable. A presentation to Somerset Academy early childhood professionals, Troy, MI.
- Mirtes, C. M. (2015, August). Contemporary Play: An Analysis of Preschool Discourse Among Preschool Children During Play Situations While Using Technology and While Using Traditional Play Materials. Presentation to Adrian College as a Faculty Research Grant Recipient, Adrian, MI.
- Mirtes, C. M. (2013, April). Contemporary Play: Supporting Social Competencies in Early Childhood. Exploring societal changes in play and possible implications of increased time of play using technology resulting in decreased time engaged in social interactions experienced during didactic play in early childhood. The University of Toledo Research Colloquium, Toledo, OH.
Memberships
- American Montessori Society
- Association for Childhood Education International
- Council for Exceptional Children – Division of Early Childhood
- ECEC in Europe - Special Interest Forum in Early Childhood Education
- Experienced Early Childhood Consultants
- International Literacy Association
- Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society
- Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- STEM Education Coalition