Erik C. Leite defends doctoral dissertation at CSE

Erik C. Leite has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at the College of Saint Elizabeth to earn an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Leite began his career as an eighth-grade science teacher for Roselle Public Schools. However, for the past fourteen years, Leite has worked as both an Assistant Principal and Principal for Roselle's middle and high schools. He's dedicated his career to advocating for students less fortunate than those in more affluent districts.

His dissertation, titled "21st Century Learning: Utilizing Technology in Mathematics Classrooms to Improve Problem-Solving Skills," explores the effectiveness of technology on enhancing students' problem-solving abilities.

Leite's research revealed that when technology is applied in the classroom using appropriate infrastructure and teaching training the students' problem-solving skills improve.

Prior to attending CSE, Leite received the Latino American "Who's Who" Award, was inducted into the New Jersey Council of Education and was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Governor's Recognition Award. He earned a bachelor's in psychology from Montclair State University and a master's in educational leadership from Saint Peter's University.

Within the educational leadership doctoral program, CSE offers two tracks: Pre-K to 12th grade and higher education. The higher education track is part of CSE's ED CHOICE program. ED CHOICE is a program, unique to the College of Saint Elizabeth, that allows students to choose whether to attend class on campus or complete coursework online depending on their individual schedules.