SSS Project, Executive Director,

SSS Project, Executive Director

linda.rhone@wichita.edu

316-978-7447

Practical Experience 
  • Pre-K through 12 –6 years 

  • Community College Educator–5 years

  • Teacher Education Professor/Assistant to Teacher Education Dean –15 years

  • Principal Investigator and Lead Research Assistant (Grants) –5 years 

Teaching and Learning Experience

Community College Educator

Taught Social Sciences and Humanities Courses
Kansas Community Colleges
(1996-1999)
 
  • Cowley County Community College
  • Butler County Community College
  • Kansas City, Kansas Community College

Interim Administrator and Lead Educator

Taught Elementary, Middle, and High School Learners
Pre-K through 12th Grade
(1992-1995)
 
  • Blenheim Elementary School, Kansas City, MO
  • Nickerson Gardens, Compton, CA
  • Ronald McNair Elementary School, Compton, CA
  • Wilkerson Academy, Los Angeles, CA
Books Forthcoming

 

Thriving Through Trauma: A Journey to Healing

Author: Linda F. Rhone
Publisher: Staten House
ISBN#: 979-8-89587-753-1
Publish Date: November 22, 2024
Cover of book Thriving through Trauma: A journey to Healing A Memoir Linda F. Rhone, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Learning, Living, and Teaching for Social Justice: Creating A Society for Equity

Author: Linda F. Rhone
Publisher: Staten House
ISBN#: 979-8-89587-751-7
Publish Date: November 22, 2024
Cover of book Learning, Living, and Teaching for Social Justice: Creating A Society for Equity Linda F. Rhone, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Bullying in any Context is a Social Justice Issue: A Freirean Perspective

Author: Linda F. Rhone
Publisher: Staten House
ISBN#: TBD
Publish Date: January 15, 2025
Cover of book Bullying in any Context is a Social Justice Issue: A Freirean Perspective Linda F. Rhone, Ph.D., Ed.D.
Dissertations & Research Study
  • Author: Drs. Linda Fae Rhone and Kimberly Johnson Burkhalter
    Published Year: 2012
    Bullying at school is an international phenomenon, and as a result there is a need for teachers to understand bullying behavior at its roots and beyond direct (hitting, kicking, choking) and indirect (gossiping, cyberbullying, silencing one’s voice) forms. If we are really going to lessen bullying at school overtime, we must talk about the unmentionable: Bullying at school is larger than one child pushing, hitting or kicking another. Literature suggests it is quite disappointing that to date there has been no significant impact on bullying at school in the United States (Juvonen, Graham, & Schuster, 2003; Berger, 2007). Literature also suggests there is little to no national conversation about how direct and indirect forms of bullying at school are connected to ideological beliefs, structural practices and cultural competence. This particular study explored the scholarly literature and educational practices of social justice guru, Paulo Freire and their implications for examining ideology, structural practices, cultural competence, and oppression, namely bullying at school. The teacher-participants in this study became known as the 鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group. The six 5th grade teachers, diverse in race, gender and experience, were nominated by their principals to be a part of this year-long endeavor. Fifth grade was selected because bullying behavior is most extensive at the middle school level (Archer & Cote, 2005; Eslea & Rees, 2001; Espelage, Meban, & Swearer, 2004; Pellgegrini & Long, 2002). One of the goals of this study was to help 5th grade students learn an appropriate use of power before they transition to middle school. The principals used social justice oriented teaching as the criteria for nominating a teacher. Social justice teachers’ teaching practices are designed to pose thought-provoking problems for students to devise understandings for discussion. They address “key social justice issues locally and globally - regarding racism, class inequality, gender inequalities, planetary pollution and global warming, war and peace, etc., and seek to integrate such issues as themes into the disciplinary subject matters at hand rather than delivering free-standing lectures on them” (Shor, 2011, p. 1.). The nominated teachers who became the six teacher-participants responded to four surveys, participated in nine cultural circles (focused discussion), and were videotaped while teaching a lesson in their respective classrooms. The teacher-participants came to understand the connection between ideology, structure, culture and oppression in their school contexts as well as how all four can perpetuate direct and indirect bullying behavior. As a result of their experiences with this study, the teacher-participants were convinced that teaching from a social justice orientation, a Freirean perspective in particular, has the potential to lessen structural, cultural, indirect, and direct forms of bullying, because it poses thought-provoking questions and addresses power and inequities as it relates to race, social class, gender and the like. They were also convinced that teaching from a social justice perspective could help them to guard against becoming teacher bullies. This study was expected to allow those teachers who were very effective at teaching from a social justice orientation to share their teaching practices with those who had less experience. In the end, all social justice teachers, veteran and novice were expected to enhance their skills through this work. Future research should consider further investigation on how ideological beliefs, structural practices and cultural competence can perpetuate direct and indirect forms of bullying so that teacher education programs can address this before preservice teachers earn a license to teach.
  • School BullyingA Freirean Perspective
    Author: Dr. Linda Fae Rhone
    Publisher: Proquest, Umi Dissertation Publishing, 2011
    ISBN: 1243536993, 9781243536990
    Length: 148 pages

    This study addressed the overarching question: Can the work of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire provide a framework for a better understanding of school bullying in the United States? In order to address the overarching question, the following questions were answered: (1) What is the state of information available on bullying in the United States? (2) How does selected works authored by Paulo Freire provide an understanding of oppressive relationships? (3) What has been written about Paulo Freire's influence on selected educators who teach in America? (4) What were the perspectives on bullying from selected educators whose practices are grounded in Freirean ideas? and (5) How did selected educators who teach in America describe bullying in their school contexts and their approaches for managing it? This descriptive study included three questionnaire/surveys completed by those whose teaching and learning practices are influenced by Paulo Freire which takes the form of emancipatory education. The sample included one --male and two females. The educators responded to seven open-ended questions. The results showed that low-level aggression has the potential to escalate into the kind of violent acts prevalent in the news since the late 1990s. Bullying must be understood as something that can occur at more than one level. For example, there is bullying among students, and there is bullying done to students by teachers, who are guided by ideological beliefs and structural components. There is no quick fix for managing bullying. It is through the efforts of everyone in a given school context that bullying can be managed overtime. Paulo Freire believed that oppressive relationships dehumanized the oppressed and the oppressor. In the case of bullying, the bully, victim, and bystander are dehumanized. Structural components that coerce teachers and students to "fit" into dominant ideologies dehumanize teachers and students. The full development of any human being requires a living and learning space that nurtures freedom and justice. Freire's work provided alternative ways of parenting, and teaching and learning that could break the cycle of authoritarian, hierarchal, asymmetrical, and oppressive relationships.

  • Title: A Freirean Approach to Learning and Teaching: The Responses’ of Select American Educators to the work of Paulo Freire from 1970s to the 1990s. 
    Author: Dr. Linda Fae Rhone
    Dissertation
    Ph.D., State University of Sheffield (2003) (Combined Study)
    Length: 140 pages
    Graduate ID: B202977C0FC07E1

    Paulo Freire (1921-1997) was born in Recife, Brazil. He became a world educator known best for his passion and ability to empower impoverished adults through literacy and consciousness raising education. Paulo Freire advocated for the importance of culturally relevant teaching for all learners. He defined culturally relevant and conscious raising education as education that unveils the learner’s oppression, no matter what kind of oppression. Freire believed that when education did not speak to a learner’s plight of oppression, it was not authentic. In his autobiography, written to his niece in the form of letters “Letters to Cristina: Reflections on my life and world” (1994), Freire provided one of the most detailed and chronicled accounts of his life as a child, adolescent, young adult, and mature adult. This work allowed Paulo Freire to revisit and rethink some of his earlier thoughts as he developed into a social justice guru. This study was originally guided by a successful dissertation proposal defense and dissertation drafts written to prepare for a dissertation defense in a Foundations of Education Doctoral Program at the University of Kansas (see title above). It was later refocused and submitted to the faculty at the State University of Sheffield for a Ph.D. in Social Justice. New Title: Learning, Living, and Teaching for Social Justice: Creating A Society for Equity.

Faculty Appointments

Affiliate Graduate Faculty (Online)

Southwestern College
(2011-2013)
 
  • Developed doctoral courses
  • Doctoral committee member

Assistant Professor of B.A. and Graduate Program

Newman University, School of Education
(2008-2011)
 
  • Managed a $25,000 foundation grant to create a university and k-12 public school partnership
  • Coordinator, Teacher Internship Placement
  • Assisted in revision of lesson plan template and rubrics
  • Taught elementary and secondary undergraduate students
  • Taught graduate students
  • Advised and mentored undergraduate students
  • Developed and presented workshops for practicing classroom teachers
  • Lead instructor for Educational Psychology: Learning and Evaluation, responsible for aligning content objectives, instructional strategies and assessments
  • Lead instructor for Field 2 (24-hour practicum course) revised handbook, syllabus, and assessments
  • Coordinator of Internship Placement (fall 2008 - spring 2010)
  • Member of Transformative Teaching and Learning Committee
  • Facilitated Principles of Teaching and Learning (PTL) Workshop

Visiting Assistant Professor, BA. and M.A.T. Programs

Shepherd University, Department of Education
(2003-2008)
 
  • Taught courses in Bachelor of Elementary Education and Graduate Programs
  • Assisted in organizing and implementing a Service-Learning component in Foundations of Education courses
  • Organized service-learning projects for undergraduate students
  • Organized and facilitated collaborative classes for Shepherd University preservice teachers and Job Corps students
  • Advised and mentored undergraduate students
  • Supervised portfolios and teacher work samples
  • Supervised cooperative learning projects
  • Served on Gateway Committee • Served on Liberal Studies Committee
  • Mentored new faculty
  • Supervised student candidates 

Assistant Professor, B.A. Program

University of Wyoming, Elementary and Early Childhood Education Department
(1999-2000)
 
  • Humanities (methods)
  • Taught undergraduate students
  • Advised undergraduate students
Courses Developed and Taught

Undergraduate  

  • Utilizing a Social Justice Lens to Teach from a Multicultural Perspective, EDUC 5484, Friends University, Summer 2019  
  • Social Justice Practices, Friends University, 2019  
  • Utilizing a Social Justice Lens to Teach from a Multicultural Perspective, EDUC 5484, Friends University, 2017/2018
  • Multicultural Education, EDUC 818, Southwestern College, 2011-2012
  • Qualitative Research Methods, EDUC 801, Southwestern College, 2011-2012
  • Diversity Experience, University of Wyoming, 1999-2000
  • Assistive Technology (EDUC 432)
  • Foundations of Education (EDUC 215)
  • Diversity Field Experience (EDUC 216)
  • Reading Skills in Secondary School Content (4033)
  • Educational Psychology: Learning and Evaluation (3133)
  • Field 2 Experience (3302)
  • Seminar in Student Teaching (EDUC 400)
  • Sociological and Psychological Conditions of Learning (EDUC 320)
  • Educational Sociology (EDUC 310)
  • Social Foundations of Education (EDUC 200)
  • Seminar in Education (EDUC 150)
  • Instructional Strategies and Models (C & I 320)
  • Introduction to Early Childhood Education (CC 101)
  • Curriculum and Instruction

Graduate 

  • Learning How to Learn, 2022
  • Assistive Technology in the Classroom (EDUC 532)
  • Race, Class and Power in Schools (EDUC 549)
  • Cultural Diversity (6003)
  • Social and Cultural Foundations of Education (EDUC 581) 
Publications

Books

  • Social Justice & Equity in a Stratified Society (Amazon.com) January 2023.
  • Thriving Through Trauma:  a Path to Wellness (a memoir) (Amazon.com) June, 2023.
  • Dean, M. (2017). Featured as a Legend in The Black Legends of Kansas. Global Enterprises: 鶹ƽ,  Kansas.
  • Hufford, D. (2010). The Hufford reader.  Rhone, L. (Ed.). Salt Lake City, UT: Family Heritage   Publishers.

Peer Reviewed

  • Rhone, L., & Burkhalter, K. (2012). Lessening structural, cultural, direct and indirect forms of  bullying through cultural competence and transformative teaching and learning. The Kansas  Advocate, Vol. 20 (2), 1-11.
  • Rhone, L. (2005). Case commentary. In P. F. Goldblatt & D. Smith (Eds.), Cases for teacher   development: Preparing for the classroom (pp. 172-173). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

SELECT BOOK REVIEWS PUBLISHED IN MULTICULTURAL REVIEW  Quarterly Journal  

  • Rhone, L. (2010, July 15). [Review of the book Defending religious diversity in public schools:  A practical guide for building our democracy and deepening our education, by N. R. Kollar]. Multicultural Review, 19 (2), 54.  
  • Rhone, L. (2009, December 16). [Review of book No child left behind: A true story of a  teacher’s quest, by E. Blake]. Multicultural Review, 18 (1), 65.  
  • Rhone, L. (2009, November 15). [Review of book Manga High: Literacy, identity, and coming of  age in an urban high school, by M. Bitz]. Multicultural Review, 18 (4), 68-69.  
  • Rhone, L. (2009, August 2). [Review of the book The Herb Kohl reader: Awakening the heart of  teaching, by Kohl Herbert]. Multicultural Review, 18 (3), 67.  
  • Rhone, L. (2002, March 10). [Review of the book Global constructions of multicultural education:  Theories and realities, by C. A. Grant & J. L. Lie (Ed.)]. Multicultural Review, 11(1), 89.
  • Rhone, L. (2002, March 10). [Review of the book Ethnicity, race, and nationality in education, by N.K.  Shimahara, I. Z. Holowinsky & S. Tomlinson-Clark (Ed.)]. Multicultural Review, 11 (1), 89. 
Grants

Grants Submitted

  • United States Department of Education, TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) $2.5 million-United States Department of Education, Spring 2020-2025.
  • Kansas Community Foundation, 鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group (WTIG), fall 2009: “Lessening Systemic, Structural, Cultural, Direct and Indirect forms of Bullying through Cultural Competence and Transformative Teaching and Learning.” $50,000.00.
  • Kansas Health Foundation, 鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group (WTIG), fall 2009: “Lessening Systemic, Structural, Cultural, Direct and Indirect forms of Bullying through Cultural Competence and Transformative Teaching and Learning.” $25,000.00.
  • Gerber Institute for Catholic Studies, 鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group (WTIG), fall 2009: “Lessening Systemic, Structural, Cultural, Direct and Indirect forms of Bullying through Cultural Competence and Transformative Teaching and Learning.” $1,500.00.

Grants Funded

  • Recipient/Principal Investigator, TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) $2.5 million-United States Department of Education, Spring 2020-2025.
  • Recipient/Principal Investigator; Recognition Grant $25,000.00 - Kansas Health Foundation,
    鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group (WTIG), “Lessening Systemic, Structural, Cultural, Direct and Indirect forms of Bullying through Cultural Competence and Transformative Teaching and Learning.” January 2010-August 2011.
  • Recipient, Principal Investigator, Social Change Grant $1,500.00 – Gerber Institute for Catholic Studies, 鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group (WTIG), “Lessening Systemic, Structural, Cultural, Direct and Indirect forms of Bullying through Cultural Competence and Transformative Teaching and Learning.” January 2010-August 2011.
  • Research Assistant, University of Kansas, Eisenhower Professional Development Schools ($1 million federal grant).
    • Created survey instrument/Surveyed School of Education Faculty on involvement/noninvolvement in PDS.
    • (“Comparing student teaching experiences in a PDS vs. student teaching experiences in a non-PDS: What is the difference, if any?”).
Presentations

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (1996, November). A Historical Examination of Multicultural Education in United States Public Schools: What have we learned? American Educational Studies Association Conference, Montreal, CA. 

NATIONAL CONFERENCES

  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F., Hufford, D., Burkhalter, K., & the 鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group Educators (2011, July). Lessening Bullying through Cultural Competence and Transformative Teaching and  Learning: Our journey. Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (2008, May). Paper accepted, Systemic Bullying and Oppression. Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, Omaha, NE.
  • Presenter, Rhone, L. F. (2006, May). School Bullying: A Freirean Perspective. Pedagogy and Theater of the Oppressed Conference, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.  
  • Discussant, Rhone, L.F. (1999, November). An Examination of Multicultural Education in United States Public Schools: What have we learned? American Educational Studies Association Conference, Ponchatrian, Detroit, MI.  
  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (1998, November). A Historical Examination of Aspects of Paulo Freire’s Ideas: Implications for Critical Multicultural Teacher Education. American Educational Studies Association Conference, Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Philadelphia,  Center City. 
  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (1998, January). A Professional Development School Partnership: Comparing the  Experiences’ of Student Candidates at a PDS to Student Candidates at a non-PDS. What is the difference, if any? Holmes Scholars Annual Conference, Adams Mark Hotel, Orlando, FL.    
  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (1997, April). Introducing A Black Psychology Perspective in a General  Psychology course. People of Color Conference, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.  
  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (1997, January). Kansas Department of Education, Professional Development  Schools: Implications for Multicultural Teacher Education/Poster Presentation, Holmes Partners/Scholars Conference, St. Louis, MO.  

REGIONAL CONFERENCES 

  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (2010, September). Bullying at School: A Freirean Perspective.  Society of the Philosophy and History of Education Conference, Oklahoma City, OK.
  • Presenter, Rhone, L. F. (2006, October). The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander. Rethinking and Relearning Diversity:  From Conflict to Inclusion, University System of Maryland Diversity Network Faculty Initiatives Committee, 4th Annual Conference, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD.

LOCAL/INSTITUTIONAL

  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (2012, June). 27th Annual Conference of Kansas Alliance of Black School Educators. African American Males in Crises: From an Urban School Age  Perspective, Is the Plight of African American Males Connected to Systemic Structural and Cultural Bullying at School? 鶹ƽ, KS.  
  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (2006, March).  Select American Women in Education. Multicultural, Women’s History Celebration, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
  • Presenter, Rhone, L.F. (1998, April). A Professional Development School Partnership: Comparing the Experiences’ of Student Candidates at a PDS to Student Candidates at a non-PDS. What is the difference, if any? Kansas University Professional Development School Alliance Conference, Holiday Inn-Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kansas City, MO. 

PRESENTATIONS (OTHER THAN PAPERS)

  • Principles of Teaching and Learning (PTL) Training. Newman University Western Kansas (fall 2009).
  • Nurturing Emotionally and Physically Healthy Boys and Girls, Boys and Girls Club, 鶹ƽ, KS. (spring 2009).  
  • Shepherd University First-Year Faculty, A Service-Learning Component in a university course. Shepherd  University, Shepherdstown, WV. (fall 2006).    
  • Student Assembly, Bullying Behavior at School. Harpers Ferry Middle School, Harpers Ferry,  WV. (spring 2005).

WORKSHOPS/STAFF DEVELOPMENT

  • Social Justice Practices, Friends University, 鶹ƽ, Kansas, February 1st & 2nd, 2019.  
  • Social Justice within a Multicultural Framework. Friends University, 鶹ƽ, Kansas Fall 2017.
  • Systemic Bully Behavior at School. Newman University, Western Kansas, June 12 & 13, 2009.
  • Systemic Bully Behavior at School. Newman University, March 13 & 14, 2009.
  • Systemic Bully Behavior at School. Professional Development for administration and faculty. Harpers Ferry Middle School, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia-2005. 
Doctoral Students (Mentees)
  • Five White Teachers‟ Stories: Their Challenges, Their Changes, Their Connections With Urban Students Of Color

    Author: Kimberly D. Johnson Burkhalter
    Length: 142 pages

    Across the United States students of color make up approximately 69% of the urban school population. More than 85% of the classroom teachers are White and predominantly females and 40% of the urban schools do not have teachers of color in their classrooms. Educational systems often struggle in their efforts to support the needs of racially and culturally diverse students; students‟ educational success is usually not regarded as a function of students‟culture. The study comprises a narrative inquiry, captured in the stories of five White teachers, and analyzed through the lenses of critical social theory, critical pedagogy and socio-cultural theory. Teachers shared their stories regarding their awareness of racial and cultural differences and the effects these differences have on teaching practices and engaging students of color in learning. They articulated how their personal and professional life experiences may have changed their understanding of racial and cultural differences as well as challenged them to change their teaching practices in order to provide culturally relevant instruction and elicit engaged interactions from their students of color. 

  • Theodore Timms, Committee Chair, “The Impact of the African American Father on his Middle School Aged Daughter’s Academic Achievement” Spring 2020  
  • Michael Hicks, Pre-Proposal Advisor, “The Impact of Differentiated Instruction” Spring 2018 
Graduate Assistants
  • Priya Chavva, Indu, 鶹ƽ State University (2022)
Interns
  • Shah, Hemil, 鶹ƽ State University (2023)
  • Yadav, Sakshi, 鶹ƽ State University (2023)
Recognition
  • Certificate of Appreciation, University System of Maryland, Faculty Initiative Committee for  Contribution to Rethinking and Relearning Diversity: From Conflict to Inclusion, 2006.
  • Nominee, Outstanding Faculty Member – Order of the Purple at Butler County Community College,  2000.
  • Recipient, American Educational Research Association, stipend for conference research workshop, 1999.
  • Nominee, American Educational Studies Association-Editorial Advisory Council, 1998.
  • Recognition, 鶹ƽ State University, Student Support Services, high academic achievement in graduate studies, 1996.
  • Proclamation, for Development and Implementation of a Student Leadership Program, Mayor's Office- (Emanuel Clever) Kansas City Missouri School District, 1993.
  • Outstanding Young Women of America, 1991.
Southwestern College, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Program Development Committee Membership

Dr. Linda Rhone, Affiliate Faculty,

Supervises All Components

The Student Support Services Executive Director coordinates collaboration and interaction with the host institution (WSU) and TRIO projects while promoting a campus environment resulting in multiple opportunities for student learning and continuous improvement of project services.

Dr. Rhone supervises all components to ensure a measurable impact of services. This includes incorporating the Competitive Preference Priorities within the SSS grant as directed by the Department of Education through academic advising, tutoring, database tracking, and academic/life skills development.

In addition, Dr. Rhone administers the following: manages the budget for effective fiscal management congruent with institutional computerization in Banner; ensures compliance with EDGAR, TRIO, and Federal Regulations; maintains an internal control system for accountability, obtains measurable results and efficient operational policies; and networks with other TRIO directors, faculty and administrators while attracting resources to the project for continuous improvements.

Linda F. Rhone, Ph.D., Ed.D. is a Scholar, Activist, Educator, Speaker, Author, and Social Justice Curriculum (Social-Emotional Resilience) Specialist. Providing direction for the TRIO Student Support Services Project gives Rhone an opportunity to remain true to her calling—teaching for Social Justice.

While on her learning and teaching journey, Dr. Rhone develops staff, students (undergraduate and graduate), and teachers to understand and use social justice concepts and practices. She teaches the importance of social justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity in a society that privileges a few at the expense of so many.

Dr. Rhone has held faculty appointments at the undergraduate and graduate levels in several states.  Along with being the executive director of TRIO Student Support Services, Rhone is currently a workshop faculty member for Friends University where she writes Social Justice curriculum and teaches graduate courses for teachers. 

Dr. Rhone teaches a wide range of courses – including, but not limited to, literacy in the content areas, qualitative research, foundations of education, curriculum and instruction, utilizing a social justice lens to teach critical multicultural education, learning how to learn (growth mindset), sociological foundations of education, psychological foundations of education, the historical foundations of education, and more.

Rhone has been a principal investigator and/or lead research assistant on several grants totaling more than $2.5 million (both federal and foundation grants). She is a published researcher and a skilled interviewer in both individual and focus group settings. Her expertise in qualitative and quantitative research was gained through dissertation research and her role in principal investigator on federal or foundation grant projects.

At present, Rhone is working on a Post-Doctoral Research Project based upon a five-year $2.5 million federal grant that she manages as principal investigator. She expects to complete this project by August 2023.

Rhone completed a Ph.D. in Social Justice Education at Sheffield State University (Accrediting Commission of International Colleges and Universities). Her dissertation title is A Freirean Approach to Learning and Teaching for Social Justice. Rhone studied for a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Foundations of Education at the University of Kansas (Regionally Accredited). Her dissertation is titled The Responses of Select American Educators to the Work of Paulo Freire from the 1970s to the 1990s.  Rhone earned an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and the Cultural Foundations of Education at West Virginia University (Regionally Accredited). Her dissertation title is School Bullying: A Freirean Perspective. Rhone also completed some doctoral work in residence for a Ed.D. in Adult Education at Northern Illinois University. 

Rhone is the author of a memoir titled Thriving through Trauma: A Path to Wellness. (Spring 2023). The purpose of this work is to assist children and adults in facing trauma (anxiety, depression, and fear), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), as well as healing through Social Justice and Social-Emotional Work Resilience. Most recently, Rhone presented sections of her memoir at the Educational Opportunity Association Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Along the way, Rhone edited the Hufford Reader (2010), published journal articles, and numerous book reviews.

Rhone has traveled extensively to attend and present at academic conferences all over the U.S. to include Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, American Educational Studies Association, and Society of the Philosophy and History of Education. 

Rhone has led several key initiatives in higher education: writing and managing a TRIO Student Support Services Grant to serve first-generation, income-eligible, and/or students of disability status/principal investigator; led a research assistantship for the Professional Development Schools and Critical Multicultural Education federal grant to use PDS as a vehicle to diminish hierarchal relationships (faculty, administration, cooperating teachers, student teachers, and students) and address social justice, diversity, and equity; executed a Service-Learning Partnership to bring preservice teachers and Job Corps students together for one-on-one tutoring and to lessen racial and socioeconomic barriers; founded the Kansas Teacher Inquiry Group (KTIG) – formerly known as the 鶹ƽ Teacher Inquiry Group (WTIG), to establish a university and k-12 school district partnership for the purpose of “Lessening Systemic, Structural, Cultural, Direct, and Indirect Forms of Bullying through Cultural Competence and Transformative Teaching and Learning.” WTIG was acknowledged in a Senate Resolution No. 1768 in Topeka, Kansas—on the Senate floor.

Rhone has lived and worked in seven states (Kansas, Missouri, Texas, California, Wyoming, Illinois, and West Virginia), as well as attended federal trainings in Honolulu, HI, Atlanta, GA, San Diego, CA, Washington, D.C., and San Antonio, TX.) She has worked in the roles of Pre-K/K-12 teacher; private school administrator; social sciences community college instructor; college/university education professor; coordinator of student candidate internship/supervision; lead research assistant for a $1 million federal grant for professional development schools; co-grant writer and principal investigator for $2.5 million TRIO federal grant; and grant writer, and principal investigator for funding $26,500 to create a university and public-school partnership.

On a personal note, Rhone is thrilled to be back home and providing the leadership for the program she was once a part of as an undergraduate student. Rhone believes it is God’s amazing grace that the late Dr. Deema deSilva passed her the baton (to become the director of SSS) over thirty years ago, as she awarded her with a certificate for attending graduate school at the University of Kansas. It was not clear at the time the baton was being passed; however, it was destined to be.  

Rhone enjoys gospel music, jazz, reading, traveling, and spending time with her best friends, her mother and her sister, Irene Strong Rhone and Marva Joyce Rhone.