Mijana Lockard, ED.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
Teaching is about sparking curiosity, building connections, and creating spaces where every learner feels empowered to grow. When students engage with ideas through hands-on experiences, collaboration, and critical thinking, learning becomes meaningful and transformative. As professors, we don’t just deliver content—we cultivate discovery, challenge assumptions, and support students as they uncover who they are and what they can contribute. At its core, education is about guiding minds, honoring individuality, and making knowledge accessible to all.
Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 216
863.680.4191
Biography
Dr. Mijana Lockard is an educator and researcher with over 30 years of experience in public schools and higher education. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Education at Florida Southern College School of Education, where she teaches foundational education courses, special education, and philosophy of education. In addition to her undergraduate teaching, she works across master's and doctoral programs, with a focus on instructional approaches and program evaluation. Dr. Lockard is passionate about hands-on learning and educational initiatives such as digital fabrication, makerspaces, and instructional technology. Her work is grounded in a commitment to equity, community partnerships, and empowering future educators to create transformative learning environments. She lives in Lakeland with her husband and has an adult son who lives in North Carolina. Outside of academia, she coaches high school tennis and spends summers in her home country of Croatia.
Education
- Ed.D. in Education , Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership American College of Education, Indianapolis, IN
- M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction/Special Education Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA
- B.S. in Biological Sciences , Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA (May 1991)
Interests
Exploring cultures through travel, volunteering in the community, and crafting with emerging technologies like laser cutters and 3D printers.
Awards
Dr. Mary Virginia Peasley Educator Makes a Difference Award (2025)