Dr. Doug Needham, Provost and Vice President, Academic, is pleased to announce that Dr. Terry Loerts has accepted an offer to a tenure-track position in the Education Department. “Dr. Loerts has served as a part-time and limited-term faculty member in the Education Department for many years,” said Dr. Needham, “and I am thankful that we have been able to make her connection to our university more permanent.” Her position begins July 1, 2014. Dr. Loerts earned her Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Calvin College. She recently completed her Ph.D. in curriculum studies at Western University with a focus on multimodal literacy learning, which she describes as reflecting the holistic way that students learn. “Multimodal literacy,” she says, “defines literacy according to all modes of communication, such as image, gaze, gesture, movement, speech and sound effect, and the ways that these modes are read, viewed, made, responded to, and understood. I see multimodal literacy learning as a way to honour students (of all ages!) as image-bearers of God who bring rich literacy experiences and different levels of understanding and creativity into the classroom. It connects students with their abilities while opening up new ways of communication and understanding.” Her research interests are in curriculum development and pedagogical practices, teacher education and multimodal literacy learning. She combined many of those in a course she has developed on teaching new literacies in the elementary classroom. She is also currently involved in a research study with Dr. Christina Belcher that examines teacher candidates’ perception and use of visual journaling as a pedagogical practice. Dr. Loerts has been involved in elementary teaching and post-secondary education for more than 19 years in Ontario, and is excited about contributing to the Redeemer community. “I am privileged to work alongside colleagues that are dedicated to Christian education,” she says. “Teaching is a joy for me – I love getting to know the students and they really motivate me to bring my best to the classroom.” When not working, she enjoys reading children’s literature, scrapbooking, camping, contributing musical gifts in church, playing board games, and spending time with her husband and two children.