Maggie R. Pfeiffer Salem, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor, ALEC

Dr. Maggie R. Pfeiffer Salem is dedicated to fostering an environment where students not only feel safe and secure but also empowered to embrace their unique talents and skills. Recognizing the individuality of each student, Salem employs a multi-faceted approach to teaching, whether in face-to-face or online settings. Her teaching philosophy embodies blended, active, reflective and personalized learning, coupled with differentiation and constructivism.

In Salem’s classrooms, learning is a dynamic journey, integrating teacher and student-centered approaches, emphasizing experiential learning whenever possible. Through problem-solving and critical thinking challenges, students are actively engaged, encouraged to analyze and apply their learning using their abilities. Salem’s goal is not only to impart disciplinary knowledge but also to nurture personal growth, empowering students to transform their talents into strengths while navigating the course curriculum as a scaffold for development. In essence, Dr. Salem’s teaching approach promises an inspiring and transformative educational experience for aspiring college students.

A Conversation with Dr. Salem

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?

If you are interested in a student-centered academic experience where you are able to develop personal yet professional relationships with university faculty and staff, I encourage you to consider Texas A&M University-Commerce. The faculty and staff are incredibly student-focused. This includes students in research, academic and faculty advisors, online, face-to-face, blended course options in an effort to meet the student's needs, a focus on experiential learning opportunities, and professional academic and career related networking opportunities to connect you with professionals in your area(s) of interest.

What draws you to your discipline?

I very much enjoy teaching students interested in personal growth and development with goals of being positive influences in the lives of other people. I enjoy working with students to elevate their talents in leadership and communications and assisting them to develop their own set of talents and skills to be effective in their homes and communities.

What has been your favorite course to teach?

ALC 3311-Contemporay Issues in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications is my favorite course to teach. Public and private entities in addition to social and scientific influences keep agriculture in a constant state of evolution. This course is an opportunity for students to examine how historical influences affect current agricultural trends and practices and to evaluate how those issues affect producers and consumers. Understanding the agricultural industry, holistically and comprehensively, and being able to bridge the gap of understanding between producers, consumers and other stakeholders is the primary focus of the course.

I also really enjoy teaching ALC 2302-Personal Leadership Development in Agriculture. Assisting in the positive development of people in an effort to make their lives better is the primary purpose I entered education. ALC 2301 focuses on the identification, development, application and reflection of personal talents in an effort to develop them into strengths. The course assists students in identifying their leadership identity via personal leadership inventories identifying strengths, personality, values, communication skills, influence, commitment, goal achievement strategies, and emotional intelligence. I find it to be very rewarding to witness students' discovery of the power of their personal potential.

Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.

I am currently working on a number of projects that include retention of teachers with a focus on teacher career perceptions and work/life balance. I have recently completed some projects exploring teacher experience with English Language Learners and how to best serve these populations. I am also interested in personal leadership development in undergraduate students and how that can be applied to not only academic but to career and personal success.

Educational Background

• Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2021
• M.S., Agricultural Science , Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2014
• B.S., Agricultural Science and Technology with Teacher Certification, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2007
• A.S., Northeast Texas Community College, 2005
• Farm and Ranch Management Certificate, Northeast Texas Community College, 2005

Awards and Honors

• Emerging Leader, Office of the Provost, TAMUC, 2023
• AAAE National Conference Second Place Research Poster Award, 2022
• Texas A&M University-Commerce Student Organization Advisor of the Year, 2022
• Texas A&M University-Commerce Student Organization Advisor of the Year, 2021
• Nominee for the TAMUC Serving Engaged, Empowered and Diverse Students (SEEDS) Hats Off to Women Award, 2019

Research Interests

• Pre-service Teacher Preparation
• Early Career Teachers' Practical Skill Development
• Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Professional Organizations

• North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture
• American Association of Agricultural Education
• National Association of Agriculture Educators
• Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas

Selected Publications

• Salem, M. R. P., Doss, W., & Estepp, C. M. (2023). Determining professional development needs of school-based agricultural education teachers for working with English language learners. Journal of Agricultural Education, 64(4), 48-61. https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/91
• Salem, M.P. & Doss W. (2023, May 17). Assessing preservice SBAE teacher needs for working with English language learners [Poster presentation]. American Association of Agricultural Educators National Conference, Raleigh, NC.
• Salem, M., & Doss, W.(2023, February 6). Assessing preservice SBAE teacher needs for working with English language learners [Poster Abstract]. American Association for Agricultural Education Southern Region Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK.
• Salem, M.P., Doss, W., Romero, E.W., & Frost, K.J. (2022, May 17). Early Career Teachers' Struggles with Lack of Practical Skills [Poster presentation]. American Association of Agricultural Educators National Conference, Oklahoma City, OK.