Hal Jaus

Dr. Hal Jaus, a Lewiston, NY native, is Professor of Reading and Elementary Education at UNC Charlotte.

Education:
Dr. Jaus earned Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Biology from Florida State University and completed courses for teaching licensure at the elementary and secondary levels. His Ph.D. is from Indiana University, Bloomington in Science Education.

Teaching Experience:
After teaching biology at a community college and in elementary schools near Tallahassee, Florida, Dr. Jaus moved to Indiana for doctoral work. Following his graduate education, Dr. Jaus became an Associate Professor at Purdue University, where he taught for 13 years. While at Purdue, he served as the advisor for the Student National Education Association. Through his desire to gain different experiences, enjoy the mild southern climate, and be closer to family, Dr. Jaus began teaching at UNC Charlotte in 1986. He reflects, "I have not regretted my decision one minute." Dr. Jaus teaches several courses including Introduction to Education, Teaching Science to Elementary School Learners, graduate-level courses in science teaching methodology, and critical issues in education. He is the recipient of nine outstanding teaching awards including the National Outstanding Science Educator of the Year.

Research:
While Dr. Jaus is committed to teaching, he contributes to scholarly writing on student attitudes toward science. He has earned grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. Many of his publications offer classroom solutions and hands-on science activities for teachers. He has published over 45 manuscripts.

On UNC Charlotte:
When asked about his role at UNC Charlotte, Dr. Jaus responds by saying, "I prepare teachers." He comments, "UNC Charlotte is one of the very few institutions of this size that has professors with doctorates teaching freshman classes." Dr. Jaus teaches Introduction to Education and Teaching Science to Elementary School Learners each semester and summer. He feels that as UNC Charlotte grows, it is essential to maintain its commitment to provide excellent teaching for undergraduate students.