Chair, Dept. of Education
UNC Asheville
Asheville, NC
1. Name the key responsibilities in your current role
I oversee faculty and staff who help prepare candidates for teacher licensure.
2. Describe either your professional preparation, experience or achievements
My undergraduate degree was middle school math; my masters was middle school language arts, my specialist and doctorate were in Curriculum and Instruction. My chair of specialist and doctoral work was Paul George. I taught math and science in middle schools, a university laboratory school, junior high, and K-8. I worked as a math coach in a district. I have taught in university and college as the middle grades coordinator.
3. Describe the biggest challenge you’re currently facing in middle level education.
I worry most about the mental health issues of our students and our society. Our administrators and their teachers need a strong understanding of the issues our children are facing and they need tools for examining and supporting young adolescents.
4. Share what you do for fun when not in school
I sing in two bands, love to paint with watercolors and acrylics, swim in the ocean, and hike the trails in the mountains.
5. Tell us why you are a member of AMLE
AMLE is our voice. The resources available, the connections made at conferences, and the belief that we can make a difference through our connections is a highlight. AMLE strengthens our voice locally, nationally, and internationally. The plethora of resources are all about supporting middle school age students. AMLE helps us grow professionally and gives us inspiration to serve with an open heart, to speak truth about young adolescents and gives us tools we need to meet their needs.