RESEARCH STATEMENT
My primary research interests regard teachers’ engagement in social media. For many educators, social media is a regular part of professional life. Most of my research centers around teachers’ engagement within Pinterest. Pinterest is a social media virtual resource pool (VRP) where subjects can “pin” pictures and links to content for later reference. This curation of content allows teachers to choose instructional resources related to their lesson planning and professional learning, while its free use makes Pinterest a potential leader for equitable resource sharing within education.
TEACHING STATEMENT
My teaching philosophy conceptualizes students as sense-makers and active problem solvers. I am a former teacher with a master’s degree in teaching and a doctorate in education policy from Michigan State University. As a passionate advocate for education and social justice issues, I strive to positively impact young people’s lives in both my professional and academic work.
WORK EXPERIENCE
LEAD RESEARCHER AND FOUNDER,
TEACHERS IN SOCIAL MEDIA
2015 - present
Developed and direct a study of teachers’ use of social media as evidenced through Pinterest
Examine early career and experienced elementary teachers connecting from Cloud to Classroom
Present results to practitioners, policymakers, and across national and international audiences
Prepare 3 forthcoming special issues in the American Journal of Educational and Teachers College Record
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE,
STUDY OF ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION
2014 - 2018
Examine early career teachers across three Midwestern states
Observe ambitious mathematics instruction and Common Core State Standards implementation in grades Pre-K-6
Direct and collaborate with data analysis team including three graduate assistants and two post-doctoral research assistants to coordinate data set construction and analysis
ACTING ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR,
EDUCATION POLICY INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE
2017 - 2018
Contributed to the design and start-up of EPIC at Michigan State University, a cross-collaborative center with the Michigan Department of Education and University of Michigan
Built partnerships with external funding organizations and donors
Organized research priorities and develop and manage teams
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
PH.D. IN EDUCATION POLICY
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
2009-2014
Successfully defended and final version accepted
Institute of Education Sciences Doctoral Fellow—Specialization in the Economics of Education
Dissertation: Curricular Reform and Economic Context: The Case of the Michigan Merit Curriculum
Committee: Dr. Ken Frank (Chair), Dr. Barbara Schneider, Dr. Peter Youngs, Dr. Suzanne Wilson
M.A. IN TEACHING
DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
2006-2008
Earned a Masters in Teaching while teaching elementary students in Chicago Public Schools.
B.A. IN PSYCHOLOGY
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
2002-2006
Summa Cum Laude
Additional major in Economics
GET IN TOUCH
Think you would like to collaborate? Please feel free to reach out with any ideas or questions.
5174021323
