At a Glance: 

• Received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UM
• Has taught science at Lafayette Middle School for five years
• Has published her classroom-tested activities and lesions in practice-based peer-reviewed journals including Science and Children, Science and Scope and Science Activities 
• Received the Robert Yeager Outstanding Science Teacher Award

Can you share a significant experience from your time at Ole Miss?

I had multiple great experiences both as a student and an instructor in the School of Education (SOE) at Ole Miss. Many of these incredible and invaluable experiences were due to the hard work of professors in the Department of Teacher Education. Through their mentorship I grew significantly as both a teacher and researcher.

First, Dr. Rock’s graduate math education course was an eye opening experience in how to diagnostically assess students’ difficulties in doing mathematics. He gave us challenges as well as strategies to determine how to help those children who have various difficulties doing math. I always looked forward to his class because I knew I was going to learn a new technique or way of thinking about math that would benefit me as an educator later on in my career.

Dr. Jerilou Moore was not only an incredible teacher but also she became a good friend during my time in Teacher Education. She was always willing to listen and give wise advice while going through the tireless process of completing my dissertation. Her work ethic and creativity challenged me to grow as a teacher by always trying to think of different ways to encourage my students through art and literature.

Finally, Dr. Cindy Leigh was a professor that had a major impact on my teaching strategies once I went back into the elementary/middle grade classroom. She modeled her classroom in a true student-centered format. Her philosophy that there was no limit to how much a child can learn was inspiring. She never wanted to set limits on our imagination or hinder our creativity by setting limitations on assignments. I have a deep respect for her creativity and sincere love for teaching. Her Brain and Mind Theory class was one of the most beneficial classes that helped me prepare for teaching the elementary and middle grade student. Learning how a middle grade  student’s brain and mind works helped me better understand how to interact with and teach the adolescent teenager.

These are three of many outstanding professors in the Department of Teacher Education, whom I had the privilege to learn from while at the University of Mississippi. Thus, I believe, the professors are the reason the University of Mississippi School of Education is so special. They have a true love for teaching and preparing teachers for the future.

How do you come up with ideas for different classroom-tested activities and lessons?

My husband is a professor at Ole Miss in science education. With me being in a science classroom, we can work together to develop, test and use research based activities and lessons. Many times it simply involves us just bouncing ideas off of each other and determining what is practical for my classroom. Hence, with him being a college professor and myself being a middle school teacher, I can bring practicality to a lot of the ideas for actual middle grade classroom application.

Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to teach on occasion his elementary science methods classes. Many of the lessons that he teaches to his students are ones I teach to mine as well. Having the opportunity to work with his students has enabled me to understand how the college-aged student views doing a science activity as opposed to the middle school student. Interestingly there are many times the experiences for both groups are very similar. But the times there are differences enables me to adjust the lessons to better fit the middle grade classroom.

A third strategy that has enabled me to develop classroom activities comes through having two elementary age sons. Many of the practical, safe and inexpensive activities we develop together for my classroom get tested and tweaked a third time with our sons. Honestly, it’s a lot of fun to test different things that we come up with at home with our own children to see how well they will work in my own classroom. 

What advice do you have for graduating students?

They need to befriend well-respected veteran teachers, who work hard, have a positive frame of mind and inspire them to never become complacent with their teaching. I always conveyed to my student teachers the need to surround themselves with positive people because the education world can tend to be negative at times and they need to try to be optimistic in every situation. Also, get to know your students – not just their names. Find out what their interests are and incorporate those into their classroom activities and discussions. It is so important to not just be a teacher but an observer. We never know what our students have to deal with once they get home and that we might be the only positive influence they have on a daily basis. It’s about making students feel that they matter because then they will take more pride in their work and the effort they give you.  

What have you found most meaningful in your career?

Relationships with peers and students have been the most meaningful thing in my teaching career. The friendships that I’ve made during my tenure at the many places I’ve worked are invaluable experiences that I will always cherish and remember. We pick each other up, help each other out and support each other through thick and thin. We really do need each other for support and improvement in our endeavors to be a good teacher.

I value the relationships with my current and former students, as well. There is nothing better to me then to hear my name called out in all directions, when attending a school event. It is a true joy being able to support them in something they love to do.

Even though you may want your students to remember everything you taught that day they probably won’t. However, I do believe they are going to remember how you made them feel on any given day. I have come to realize a simple fist bump or word of encouragement goes a long way with my students.  I would definitely say being a teacher is an awesome job to have because you have the privilege to encourage, inspire and positively influence those, who are our future.

Is there anything you would like to add?

If you’re truly meant to be an educator, I believe there is a certain age group you’re meant to teach. I’ve taught second grade and loved it, but teaching middle school is where I am meant to be. Often times, when I say I teach middle school I hear,  “there is no way I could teach middle school.” I, in return, say, “there is no place I would rather be.”