Rate My Professor Kiranmayi Padmaraju

Kiranmayi Padmaraju is a Professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning & Foundations at Eastern Illinois University, where she specializes in elementary education, teacher preparation, English language learners, and technology integration. She earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Elementary Education from Indiana State University in 2008, an M.S. in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University in 2003, an M.A. in English Literature from Osmania University, India, in 1992, a B.Ed. in English and Social Studies from Annamalai University, India, in 1989, and a B.Com. from Osmania University, India, in 1987. Her doctoral dissertation, titled 'Authentic Classroom Problems and Effect on Self-Efficacy Scores of Pre-Service Teachers,' explored problem-based learning's impact on teacher self-efficacy. Prior to her U.S. academic career, she served as Head of the English Department at Jubilee Hills Public School in Hyderabad, India, from 1996 to 2000, and as an English Teacher there from 1987 to 1996.

Padmaraju joined Eastern Illinois University in 2001 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level Education, advancing to Adjunct Faculty in 2003, Instructor from 2003 to 2006, Adjunct in 2006, Assistant Professor from 2006, and Professor currently. Her research interests encompass integrating emerging technologies, self-efficacy in pre-service teachers, English language learners, language arts pedagogies, classroom management, teacher education, problem-based learning, critical pedagogy, and minority faculty in higher education. Key publications include 'Why Critical Thinking?' in the Eastern Education Journal (2006, Vol. 35, No. 1) and co-authored 'English Language Learners: Current Laws and Ideal Policies.' She has presented extensively at conferences such as the Illinois Association of Teacher Educators and Association of Teacher Educators on topics including ELL strategies, reflection in pre-service teachers, and technology use. Awards received include Outstanding Graduate Student Award (EIU Department of Elementary Education, 2002), Outstanding International Graduate Student Awards (EIU, 2002 and 2003), Thomas R. Drury Scholarship Award (EIU, 2001), and JHES President's Best Teacher Award (1998). Padmaraju has contributed through Faculty Senate service (2008-2014), chairing search and research committees, editorial board membership for the Eastern Education Journal since 2006, and advising the Indian Student Association and EIU Student Federation. She teaches courses like ELE 3100 Instructional Strategies in Elementary Classrooms, ELE 3350 Language Arts Methods for Elementary/Middle Schools, and graduate-level ELE 5650.