Mudpies to Magnets

Robert Rockwell has many years of experience as a teacher and administrator at preschool, elementary, and college levels. He is in demand as a speaker and has traveled and conducted workshops throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia. He has been a frequent guest on radio and television programs advocating for young children and their caregivers. Currently, Robert is professor emeritus and former program director of the early childhood education program at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He has experience as a speech pathologist, teacher of the hearing impaired, and as an administrator. He has been a research consultant for the University of Chicago and has also served as a Head Start director. Robert is a prolific writer with many published articles and books available throughout the world. He is currently the science section contributor for Children and Families, a quarterly magazine published by the National Head Start Association.

Robert Rockwell lives in Belleville, Illinois.

Elizabeth Sherwood, Ed.D., is currently Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is a regular contributor to the science section of Children and Families, a quarterly magazine for teachers published by the National Head Start Association. She has worked with both teachers and young children in a variety of early childhood settings, including early childhood special education, childcare, and state-funded pre-kindergarten.

Elizabeth Sherwood lives in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Robert Williams is Professor Emeritus at Southern Illinois University. He is currently acting as lead consultant for the NSF-funded Building Base Line Objectives for Children’s Knowledge and Skills in Science (BLOCKS) program at the University of Texas. The teachers and researchers in BLOCKS are assessing what skills four-year-olds can attain before they enter kindergarten.

Dr. Bob has been conducting workshops and conference sessions related to the BLOCKS program. He has taught in elementary, high school, and junior high school in addition to being a college professor. His past work has also included federal- and state-funded projects in water education. He has traveled extensively and conducted workshops and worked with children throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Robert Williams lives in Belmont, Texas on the banks of the Guadalupe River.