Dr. Ellis has commercial and residential interior design practice experience, is a trained instructive scholar, and has an integrative and extensive research background. Her environment and human behavior design research is applicable in the higher educational classroom as well as with her consulting design practice. The connective relationship of these practices in tandem with her organizational analysis strengths, strongly promote improved communication between academic research and professional practice. In effect, her research process relies upon bringing into consideration the importance of harmonizing theoretical knowledge with the consideration of every challenge’s unique set of circumstances. Through these considerations, a distinctive solution will always occur for the practitioner, educator and researcher. Of notable demonstration to the study between the congruent and environment and early childhood practitioners, Dr. Ellis is part of the currently funded multi and inter-disciplinary research team led through The Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) of the University of Oklahoma with the Norman and Tulsa Campuses.
Central to all creative endeavors is her profound passion for creating healthy and sustainable buildings for people in both practical and theoretical applications. As a LEED BD+C accredited professional since 2009, Natalie has worked on past and current LEED projects which brings practical knowledge back into the academic classroom. As such, she continues to expand upon the connective research between practice and academic pursuits and evolving the existing educational research knowledge base.
Fun Fact:I been the mother to 16 fur-children over the past 38 years. 10 of these furry beings were rescued! My husband and I are devoted to making certain that our four legged children live their best life ever!
Encouraging note:My message to all the teachers is that they matter! No matter what anyone may say! They (the teachers) are seen and we (our research team) hear you. What you do is one of the most important lifetime endeavors that can be attempted in anyone’s lifetime. Take heart and make certain to give yourself good care. Try to remember to live your lives in excellence daily and know that your demonstration of living life well is a huge influence to pass on to the children that you work with for generations to come.
