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Debbie Handy

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Associate Professor

 

I have been with WSU, in various capacities, for about 20 years. I joined the Department of Human Development in 1993 as a teacher educator for the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program. In addition to my roles within the department, I also manage the Washington Affiliate of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

 

Education

• Ph.D. Washington State University, Pullman, WA, Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology. Research regarding the use of technology for collaborative learning.

• M.A. Washington State University, Pullman, WA, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, & Interior Design. Research in the area of apparel purchasing practices of adolescents.

• B.S. University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI. Home Economics Education, Minor - Speech Education.

 

Courses Taught

• HD 101 – Lifespan Human Development
• HD 204 – Family Systems
• HD 302 – Parent-Child Relationships
• HD 407 – Supervise Teaching in Family and Consumer Sciences
• HD 479 – Program Planning
• HD 480 – Instructional Strategies

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

(FCCLA)

Through a grant from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction I manage the Washington Affiliate of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) student leadership organization. FCCLA is a high school organization tied to family and consumer sciences education. The students use programs and activities in the organization to demonstrate what they learn in family and consumer sciences. FCCLA provides many young students with opportunities to learn about themselves and their communities. Leadership skills are developed as students plan service activities, speeches, or lessons for peers and for community members.

 

Current Research

Debbie Handy is currently analyzing data from four studies.  The research topics include school violence, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher recruitment processes, and student success in distance education.  The data have been collected over the past couple of years.  Dr. Handy has worked on the collection of two sets of data regarding school violence.  One study looks at students’ exposure to violence in the schools, homes and communities.  The second, spearheaded by a graduate student, examines the preferences high school students report for specified safety measures in their schools.  The teacher recruitment project identifies the strategies current teachers use to encourage the pursuit family and consumer sciences education as a career.  The growth of distance education prompted the last area of study, comparing the success of students who are campus-based and those who are distance students enrolled in a distance course.

 

 

Advising/Student Organizations

My primary advising responsibility is to work with students who wish to be Family and Consumer Sciences teachers. I also advise two student organizations: Kappa Omicron Nu, the Family and Consumer Sciences Honor Society, and the WSU State Officers of the Washington Association for Family and Consumer Sciences Student Unit.

 

Select Publications

Ancich, A., Boyden, D, Hahn, K, Ward, S, Handy, D. (2006). Safety resources for the Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher. Ellensburg, WA: Family and Consumer Sciences Education Association.

Handy, D. J. & Wyatt, M. (2005). Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum: Learning a new process collaboratively. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 97(1), pg. 45-50.

Handy, D. J. (2004). Implementing the national standards in a local-autonomy state. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 96(1), p. 48-49.

Handy, D. J. (2004). Developing student autonomy through technology. In M. Pickard & C. Wright (Eds.), Education and Technology Division e-yearbook (23rd ed.): Using Technology in FCS Programs. Alexandria, VA: American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Handy, D. J. (2004). What are you doing? FACSE The FACTS: Washington Family and Consumer Sciences Educators Newsletter, 26(2), p. 5.

Handy, D. J. (2007). Washington FCCLA Chapter Adviser Manual. Available here.

Revised, July 2007.

Remaley, A. L., Handy, D. J., Orlich, D. O., Harder, R. J., Kauchak, D. P., Callahan, R. C., Gibson, H. W. (1999). Instructor’s guide/test item file. Lexington: D.C. Heath & Co. Accompanies Teaching strategies (5th Edition). Lexington: D. C. Heath & Co.

 

Personal

I am married and mother of three boys, James, Jonathan, and Robert. My husband Tom is the owner and operator of the Old Post Office Wine Cellar and Gallery Wine Bar & Restaurant. Three boys keep us very busy. I enjoy spending time with my family, as well as sewing and reading.

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