Lillian Bentley joins W&M faculty

This fall, the School of Education welcomes new faculty members. Today, we introduce Visiting Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Lillian Bentley who is joining our Curriculum & Instruction faculty.

Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to W&M.

I have been a science educator for more than 20 years and have worked in public schools in Hawaii and Virginia, charter schools in Hawaii and Washington, D.C., and private schools in Virginia. My husband is a William & Mary alumnus, so I had some familiarity with the institution before coming here. I feel incredibly honored and excited to be part of the William & Mary community.

What’s your area of research and what question are you most passionate about answering right now?

I am currently finishing two projects and beginning a third! One project examines a fifth-grade science field trip to a higher education institution as an approximation of practice for pre-service elementary teacher candidates. Another explores field-course experiences and how science teachers translate those experiences into practice with their students. The third project, which I am especially excited about, examines teacher retention in Virginia and is a collaboration with colleagues from across the Commonwealth.

What else are you hoping to get involved with on campus or in the community?

I hope to help connect our community with the many informal science resources and assets near campus. I am currently exploring potential collaborations with Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and the Mariners’ Museum.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am so excited to be here and look forward to getting to know the William & Mary community!