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Cailin Kerch

Clinical Assistant Professor

Program Coordinator 

Early Childhood & Elementary Education

Contact Informatio

Autherine Lucy Hall 

230-C 205-348-8105

Education 

  • Ph.D., Early Childhood Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
  • M.Ed., Educational Leadership, Lehigh University
  • B.S., Elementary Education, Shippensburg University
  • Dual Certification, Birth-3rd & K-6, Pennsylvania & Alabama 

Awards and Honors

  • 2018 Outstanding Doctoral Student, UAB
  • 2023 College of Education’s Nellie MCrory Service Award
  • 2024 Exemplary Alumni, Early Childhood Education, UAB
  • 2024 College of Education’s Nellie MCrory Teaching Award

Areas of Expertise

  • Early Childhood Curriculum
  • Teacher Beliefs & Educational Policy
  • Early Literacy & Language Development 
  • Practical Teaching Applications Birth – 3rd 

Current Research and Grant Projects

  • Early Learning Initiative: First Class Pre-K Program
  • P3 Systems Development & Evaluation 
  • PDG5 Birth to Five State Evaluation 

Highlighted Publications and Grants 

  • Kerch, C. J., Donovan, C. A., Ernest, J., Strichik, T., & Winchester, J. (2019). An Exploration of Language and SocialEmotional Development of Children with and without Special Needs in a Statewide Pre-Kindergarten Program. Association for Behavior Analysis International. doi: 10.1007/s43494-020-00002-6.
  • Kerch, C., Donovan, C. A., Maxey, A., M., Kerch. M. (2021). Navigating remote and online tools in elementary school: Effective instruction and tool function matter. Handbook of research on adapting remote learning practices for early childhood and elementary school classrooms. IGI Global.
  • Winchester, L., Hooper, A., & Kerch, C. (2022). Ease of restroom access influences fluid consumption habits and health in classroom teachers. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 29(1), 386-391. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2022.2053346
  • Coleman, J. (Principal), Kerch, C. (Co-Principal), Donovan, C. (Co-Principal), Hodges, T. (Co-Principal), “Teacher Knowledge Measure of Foundational Reading Constructs,” Sponsored by Alabama Department Of Ed – ALSDE, State. $125,000.00. Funded. (October 
  • 1, 2022-September 30, 2023).
  • Kerch, C., Hooper, A., Winchester, L. (PI). Conscious Discipline Training Evaluation. (Awarded Spring 2019). Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Exceptional Grant. $84,219.