Brenda Tufte, PhD

Associate Dean of Education and Behavioral Science
Professor of Education

Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

About Me

I oversee the Master's in Education programs and the Educational Doctorate in Administration and Educational Leadership at the University of Mary. I hold a PhD from the University of North Dakota in Teaching and Learning with a Concentration in Administration. I have published and presented on 21st Century learning, differentiated instruction, brain-based learning, and educational leadership.

Prior to moving into higher education, I taught English in Minnesota and North Dakota and was the 2012 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. In 2014, I was awarded the National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence and was a 2014 Global Fellow to China.

In 2017, I received the Crystal Apple Outstanding Post-Secondary Teacher Award. I currently serve on the North Dakota State Board for Educational Standards and Practices.

Expertise

Tufte, B.M. and Tufte, J.E. (2021). High Impact Educators: How Graduates Describe Their Best Teachers, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.

Tufte, B.M. (2017) "Where the Boys Are: Alarming Trends in Male College Outcomes," 360 Review. 1(3).

Tufte, B.M. (2016) "Educating Students in Poverty," 360 Review. 1(2): 90-99.

Tufte, B.M. (2015) "College and Career Readiness in the Global World," 360 Review. 1(1): 98-113.

Tufte, B.M. et al. (2013) "Lessons from China's Top Schools," United Voices. 1(2): 18-19

Tufte, B.M. (2012) "Through the Hands of Teachers,". North Dakota Education News. 46: 10-11.

Contributor - Tufte, B.M. (2016) "Developing Students' Literary Analysis Skills Through the Citing and Developing of Textual Evidence," Teaching Partners National Video Data Base. SCENA Media.

Contributor - Tufte, B.M. (2012) Letters to a New School Teacher: Advice from America's Best Educators. 2012-2013 Teachers of the Year, J. Devlin (Ed.). Burbank, CA: Road Runner Press. ISBN: 1937054128

Contributor - Tufte, B.M. (2012) Five Things I've Learned: Chronicle of Personal Lessons Learned from Real-World Experience, Sharing Proven Practice and Wisdom about Learning, Teaching, and Helping Others. Princeton, NJ: Pearson Foundation.

Peer Manuscript Reviewer for "Engaging the Rewired Brain," Dr. David Sousa, Publisher: Learning Sciences International. ISBN: 1941112250

Peer Manuscript Reviewer for "Identifying Critical Content," Robert Marzano, Amber Rutherford, & Deanna Senn. Learning Sciences. ISBN: 10: 1941112005

2021. "Strengthening Literacy Skills: Strategies for Success," Burleigh and Morton Country Schools.

2021. "Reaching All Learners Through Differentiated Instruction: Professional Development," Williston Public Schools.

2020. "Deeper Learning Through Increased Learner Agency," Rugby Public Schools.

2021. "Deeper Learning Through Engagement & Application," North Dakota National Guard, Fort Grafton, Devils Lake, ND.

2021. "Strategies for Student Engagement & 21st Century Skills," New Town Public Schools.

2021. "We Know Because We're Curious," TEDX UMary, Bismarck, ND. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JirEPNCX4s

2021. "Brain Based Learning: Lessons from Neuroscience," North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders State Conference, Bismarck, ND.

2021. "Meeting the Needs of Each Student Through Differentiated Instruction," North Dakota Association for Lifelong Learning State Conference.

2021. "Brain-Based Learning Research," North Dakota Center for Distance Education.

2021, "Strategies for Successful PBL & 21st Century Skills," New Town Public Schools.

2021. "Implementing Project-Based Learning," Harvey Public Schools, ND.

2021. "Engaging College Students with Brain-Based Learning Strategies," Turtle Mountain Community College, Belcourt, ND.

2021. "21st Century Learning," Harvey School District.

2021. "Personalized Learning & DI," Parshall School District.

2021. "Brain-Based Learning & 21st Century Schools," Sitting Bull College.

2021. "Metacognition & Growth Mindset," Avid Program, Bismarck Public Schools.

2021 — With Tufte, J. "21st Century Schools," South Dakota Superintendent's State Conference, Cedar Shore, SD.

Education

PhD: University of North Dakota, 1995