Where is your hometown?

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where most of my extended family still lives, but I have called North Carolina home for over 25 years.

Define your work at the Friday Institute.

I believe in order to inspire teachers to rethink their roles in the classroom and build their capacity for student-centered learning, we have to first shake up with way we are teaching them! If we want student-centered, personalized learning in our classrooms, we must first engage teachers in the types of experiences and environments that shows them how. This mindset drives my work at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, the research arm of the College of Education at NC State University, where I have the incredible honor to work with schools and districts across North Carolina who are integrated digital learning into their schools and classrooms.

How did you come to work at FI?

My passion for instructional design merged with technology was sparked as a student at my progressive schools where I published novels, built websites, and created both digital and physical products. When I entered the classroom as a teacher, I wanted to provide even deeper learning experiences for my students. In time, this road brought me to return to NC State University for my Masters in Instructional Technology, where a turn of fate provided a connection to this amazing team at FI.

What is your favorite part about working at the Friday Institute?

The opportunity to challenge myself and develop new skills and ways of thinking alongside talented North Carolina, and US-wide educational leaders.

My secret hobby is…

acrylic painting. My grandmother taught me how to paint ceramic Christmas houses during my childhood summers. After painting a full collection, I have since migrated to canvas!

When you can’t find me in the office, I am…

on the ice at the rink with my husband, Kyle, or outside playing in the grass with our two daughters Palmer and Maive, and our black Labrador, Josie.

@AModernEducator