Macon State College MVPs is a web feature that profiles notable students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Family: Husband, Byron; two sons, Brandon, 17 and Nicholas, 7; “and an ornery cockatiel.”

Job Title: Assistant professor of education.

Degrees: Completing dissertation to obtain a Ph. D. in higher education, Saint Louis University; master’s in elementary education, Drury University; bachelor’s in elementary education, Southern University at New Orleans.

Year she joined the Macon State faculty: 2005.

Some of her teaching career highlights are … “It is hard to keep the list short, because every experience I have had has shaped who I am and who I hope to become. For sake of space, I will limit it to three: 1) Being a charter faculty member in the School of Education and helping to build a program was professionally rewarding. 2) Working with the Yale University's Child Study Center School Development Program. So much of my work and beliefs were influenced by my work with the Yale School Development Program faculty. Having the opportunity to train at Yale and to assist with trainings at Yale influenced how I teach and how I process my interactions with others. I believe I am a better professor, mother, and person because of my interactions with the School Development Program group. 3) The emails and texts I receive from students. We all work so hard, but when I get a note from a student saying thank you for caring, it makes me a better teacher. I feel confident in teaching because of those students. It makes it all worthwhile.”

She enjoys teaching at Macon State College because of … “The students. The students never cease to amaze me. When they enter the School of Education the work seems overwhelming to them in the beginning, but they always meet our expectations and more. Regardless of the complexity of the tasks, they complete the work and readily apply the skills. Our students do a wonderful job of balancing life (families, jobs, etc.) and the high expectations of the faculty in the School of Education. Principals and teachers always comment how well prepared our students/graduates are in the schools. We have a reputation of preparing effective teachers because the students continuously represent us well in the community. I am so proud of all of our students/graduates and what they have accomplished.”

Her favorite course to teach is … “Literacy Acquisition. Students enter the course thinking it will be easy: ‘I know how to read, so teaching others to read cannot be that difficult.’ During the course, I am able to help the students understand the complexity of reading. The students leave the course understanding the importance of effectively teaching reading, because when children cannot read it affects all areas of their lives.”

One thing people don’t know about Macon State is … “How genuinely concerned the faculty/staff are for the well being of the students. Students are not just numbers at Macon State. Faculty and staff really get to know them and are willing to go the extra mile to support them.”

One thing people don’t know about her is … “I am terrified of dogs - big dogs, little dogs, it does not matter, they just don't seem to like me.”

In her spare time she likes to … “Read. When I pick up a book I cannot put it down until I am finished, so I try to limit myself to a ‘just for fun book’ until I have a long weekend or a semester break.”

The one person she’d most like to meet is … “The unsung heroes of the community. I think it is easy to be a giving person when you have plenty. A person who sacrifices time, talents, or treasures is a truly good person and deserves to be honored. I believe we often overlook persons that give so much to their community with little reward or recognition.”

If she wasn’t a college professor she would be … “An event planner. I love to organize events - from conferences and workshops to birthday parties and social gatherings. I have the ability to see the big picture and still pay attention to the minute details.”