Since 2018 Hartman has chaired the Division of Educational, Child and Family Studies, a program she helped establish. Over her 20 years as a BJU faculty member, Hartman has also taught in the Division of Teacher Education, served as head of the Early Childhood Education Department, supervised student teacher field experiences, and advised students. Prior to joining the university faculty, Hartman was a highly-experienced educator in public and private schools, including teaching students in K4, K5, third, and fourth grades.
Hartman’s doctoral research included the study of project-based learning, particularly the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy and pedagogy that focuses on student-centered preschool and primary education that features self-directed experiential learning in relationship-driven environments. Her dissertation focused on understanding the use of that approach among early childhood educators in South Carolina. Her current interests center on project-based learning, brain research, child growth and development, and the integration of arts and technology into early childhood curricula.
Dr. Hartman is known as a visionary, an innovator, and a master teacher. She understands pedagogy and always looks for new ways to engage her students in experiential learning. She is a mentor, willing to coach new “and not so new” faculty to help them improve and grow.
Dr. Hartman serves on the board of Greenville First Steps and is the past president of the South Carolina Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators Association.