Areas of Expertise

  • middle grades school improvement
  • social justice teacher education
  • professional development schools
  • equity-oriented professional learning
  • integrated curriculum
  • critical service-learning

Interests

  • middle grades school improvement
  • social justice teacher education
  • young adolescents
  • critical service-learning
  • school-university partnerships
  • Integrating curriculum across disciplinary boundaries

Concentrations

Education

  •  PhD in Social Foundations of Education, 1996
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  •  BSED in Secondary Social Studies Education, 1984
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Contact

 706-542-4244 (office)

Research Summary

My research focuses on strengthening middle grades education for young adolescents, those ages 9-15, including equity-oriented teacher education including the professional learning of middle grades educators and the preparation of prospective middle grades teachers; studying improvement efforts in policy and practice affecting middle grades schools; and the history and impact of progressive philosophies and related practices such as integrated curriculum, service-learning, and democratic teaching and learning.

Awards and Accolades

Award for Contributions to Career Development of UGA Students

University of Georgia, 2021

Award for Contributions to Career Development of UGA Students

University of Georgia, 2020

Award for Distinguished Service

National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, 2012

John H. Lounsbury Award for Distinguished Service (Highest AMLE award)

Association for Middle Level Education, 2011

Richard B. Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

University of Georgia, 2009

Teaching Academy

University of Georgia, 2008

D. Keith Osborn Sr. Faculty Senate Award for Teaching Excellence

University of Georgia College of Education, 2008

Lilly Teaching Fellowship

University of Georgia