Dr. Jeffrey Lear, mathematics, physics, programmer and informal teacher leader at Whitehall High School (WHS), recently received a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration from East Stroudsburg University (ESU). He has been with WHS since 2001.

At the Dec. 16, 2017, winter commencement, held in Koehler Fieldhouse, Lear was the only person to receive a doctoral degree. There were 325 bachelor’s degrees, 66 master’s degrees and the one doctoral degree awarded.

Before becoming a teacher, he was an IT consultant for Air Products and Chemicals and Lehigh University. Lear has presented his work at the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), the Canada International Conference on Education (CICE), the British Educational Research Association (BERA) and the New England Educational Research Organization (NEERO). His work has also been published in conference proceedings and journals.

The professional and secondary education department at ESU developed the doctoral degree program to meet the demonstrated need for the Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration. The program was previously a collaborative effort with Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In May 2017, ESU graduated the first students to complete the program solely under ESU. The three-year academic package is designed to provide continuous skill development in leadership, writing, reading and research. The program is intended for leaders in education wishing to further their knowledge, skills and expertise in the area of educational leadership.

Lear is thankful for his opportunities and is excited to see where the future takes him.

“The doctoral journey at ESU has provided multiple venues for me to positively contribute to shaping education leadership culture in the region. I continue to enjoy education research activity and presentations, both domestically and internationally. Students at Whitehall High School also shared in the milestone experiences with me, and we together look forward to their bright futures,” Lear said.

Nate Davidson, principal of Whitehall High School, describes Lear as, “a dedicated professional who always places the needs of our students first.”

“We are very proud of Jeff and his academic accomplishments. We are grateful to have him on our staff,” Davidson said.

He resides in Washington Township with his wife, Carla. Lear enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and is active in his church where he is a regular guest speaker on theology.