I believe that as teachers we must take full advantage of the opportunities that present themselves in the early childhood years. I have taught kindergarten through fourth grade and reading in kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. I received a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy from Georgia State University where I focused on early literacy. My doctoral dissertation on literacy centers was named the 2004 Outstanding Dissertation by the College of Education. I was named the Newton County Teacher of the Year in 2000 and was a semi-finalist for the Georgia Teacher of the Year. From 2006-2010, I was an elected member of the Newton County Board of Education. During this time, I served a year as the Vice Chair and a year as the Chair of the Board. Currently I am on faculty at Clemson University where I am the Director of the Reading Recovery Training Center.
Professional Information:
Educational Background
- 2009-2010 – Post Doctoral Study/Reading Recovery Training, Ohio State University
- 2003—Ph.D., Language and Literacy Education, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
- 1994—M.A.T., Early Childhood Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
- 1991—B.A., Media Arts (Minor Speech and Theater), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Professional Experience
- 2009-Present – Assistant Professor, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
- 2000-2007-National Literacy Consultant
- 2004-2005—Adjunct Faculty Member, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
- 2003—Contractual Literacy Coach, Fairview Elementary, Covington, GA
- 2002-2003—Doctoral Study, First Grade, Fairview Elementary, Covington, GA
- 2002—Supervising Teacher, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
- 1999-2001—Adjunct Faculty Member, DeKalb Technical College, Covington, GA
- 1997-2001—First Grade/Early Intervention Reading Teacher (1-3), Newton County Schools, Covington, GA
- 1994-1997—Kindergarten Teacher, Greenville County Schools, Greenville, SC
- 1993-1994—Master’s Internship 2nd and 4th grade, Lexington II, Lexington, SC
- 1992—Special Education Paraprofessional
Presentation Experience
- Staff Development for Educators, numerous state and national conferences and customized trainings, 2000-Present
- Loudoun County Public Schools, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Leesburg, VA
- Samuel Kyger Elementary, 2006, 2007, Frankfort, IN
- Muscogee County School District, 2004, 2005, 2006, Columbus, GA
- Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, 2005, Indianapolis, IN
- Henrico County Public Schools, 2004, Richmond, VA
- Annual Teacher Conference, 2001, Atlanta, GA
- Annual Teacher Conference, 2000, Callaway Gardens, GA
- University System of Georgia Reading Consortium’s 2000, 2001 Reading Forum, Atlanta, GA
- Southeastern International Reading Association Conference, 2000, Savannah, GA
- Georgia Read-Write Now, 2000, Atlanta, GA
- Georgia Council of the International Reading Association Conference, 1999, Atlanta, GA
- Griffin-RESA Kaleidoscope, 1999, Griffin, GA
Awards/Achievements
- Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation, Georgia State University, 2004
- Outstanding Doctoral Student, Georgia State University, 2003, 2004
- Daniel Metcalf Scholarship, 2002
- Georgia Teacher of the Year, semi-finalist, 2000
- Newton County Teacher of the Year, Newton County, GA, 2000
- Teacher of the Year, Fairview Elementary School, Covington, GA, 2000
- Greenville County Top Ten Teacher of the Year, Greenville County, SC, 1997
- Teacher of the Year, Oak View Elementary School, Simpsonville, SC, 1997
- Peabody Scholar, 1994
Professional Affiliations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Reading Conference
- International Reading Association
- Georgia Reading Association
- Alpha Upsilon Alpha, Honor Society of the International Reading Association
- Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority for Women Educators
Carreer Highlights
- Partner, Investing in Innovation (i3) Grant; Reading Recovery: Scaling Up What Works, Clemson University Sub-Award, $2,177,964
- Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, 2004
- Outstanding Doctoral Student, 2003-2004
- Daniel Metcalf Scholarship, 2002
- National Educational Consultant and Teacher Trainer, 2000-Present
- Semi-finalist, Georgia Teacher of the Year, 2000
- Newton County Teacher of the Year, Covington, GA 2000
- Teacher of the Year, Fairview Elementary School, Covington, GA, 2000
- Greenville County Top Ten Teacher of the Year, Greenville, SC, 1997
- Teacher of the Year, Oakview Elementary School, Simpsonville, SC, 1997