With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, your professors will know you. They’re invested in helping you succeed. As you work towards your career goals, you will find your professors become more—they become your mentors who can help you along your journey, and ones you can still get advice from years after graduation.
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Education
Jean Buller, Ed.D. - Chair
Faculty Since 1988
Professor of Education
Jean Buller, Ed.D, has been teaching at Pacific Union College since 1988. She graduated from PUC with two degrees, biology and education. Her doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction focused on identifying beginning stages of reading instruction in preservice teachers. Although she specializes in elementary education, she has experience with all grade levels, preschool to graduate students. Her 44 years of teaching in Northern California include working as elementary teacher, reading specialist, middle and high school science teacher, and college professor. She enjoys music and regularly performs with various choral groups in Napa Valley. She loves writing, boating, hiking with her dogs, and exploring the world with her husband, Mark.
Degrees
B.A., Pacific Union College
1972
M.A., Pacific Union College
1985
Ed.D. University of the Pacific
2003
Jenny Furness,
Faculty Since 2023
Credential Analyst
Jennie Furness is the Credential Analyst in the Education Department. As a Credential Analyst, she guides education students through their years at PUC and assists them with obtaining a teaching credential when they graduate. Jennie and her family moved to Pacific Union College in 2023 when her husband, Nate Furness, was hired as the Lead Pastor of the PUC Church. Pastor Nate and Jennie have two sons, Alexander, 14, and Andersen, 12. They love living in Angwin and their involvement in the community. Jennie was previously a teaching principal and has years of teaching experience in Adventist schools. She is passionate about education and helping students succeed. To Jennie, "The best thing about PUC is all the amazing people that have become our friends and part of our extended family!"
Degrees
M.A. in Administration and Leadership, La Sierra
2000
B.S. in Elementary Education, Walla Walla College
1998
Nicole Nunes-Smith,
Faculty Since 2022
Assistant Professor of Education
Degrees
Educational Leadership Certification, University of Alabama
2022
Master Ed. in Secondary Education, Alabama A&M University
2009
B.S in English Language Arts Education, Oakwood University
2004
Jennifer Peñaflorida, Ph.D.
Faculty Since 2021
Assistant Professor of Education
Jennifer Oliverio Peñaflorida is an assistant professor in the Department of Education and the Department of English. She is a teacher educator with a focus on literacy learning.
Dr. Peñaflorida is also a teacher consultant for the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project and a researcher for the National Writing Project. Peñaflorida’s research interests include writing process pedagogy, writing instruction and new teacher coaching. She has been published in the English Journal, Oklahoma English Journal and the International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies. She has presented in numerous national and state conferences.