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Curriculum vitae

Research Interests

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Trauma-Informed Education, Student Empowerment, Academic Motivation, Resilience, Conceptual Change, Storytelling, Cognition, Student Development, Communication, Literature, Composition, Literary Theory

 

Education

 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, 8/2023 to current -VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

  • Individualized Interdisciplinary PhD Program​​​​

    • Discipline coursework: English, Human Development, Education, and Sociology Departments

  • Cognition and Education Graduate Certificate

 

(incomplete) MASTER OF ARTS, 2/2017 to … -SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY

  • Major: English Language and Literature

    • Completed 18 graduate credits focused on British Literature and Literary Theory

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TEACHING LICENSURE COURSEWORK, 8/2016 -UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA-WISE

  • Concentration: Secondary

 

MASTER OF ARTS, 5/2014 -HOLLINS UNIVERSITY

  • Major: Children’s Literature

  • Passed Foreign Language Exam: German 7/2011

  • Thesis: Storytelling: The Tradition, the Telling, and the Showing​

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BACHELOR OF ARTS, 5/2011 -UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON

  • Major: English

  • Senior Thesis Seminar: Octavia Butler and African American Dystopian Literature

 

ADVANCED DIPOLMA, 6/2007 -JOHN HANDLEY HIGH SCHOOL

 

Professional Memberships

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American Education Research Association 2024-present

ShenArts 2023-present

College English Association 2022-present

Winchester Education Association 2016-2023

National Storytelling Network 2013-2017

 

Professional Experience

 

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY

Winchester, VA -private university

Adjunct Assistant Professor, 1/2022 to present

Classes taught: MCOM 150 -The Principles of Public Speaking, ENG 101- English Composition, EDU 503- Topic: Motivation

  • Key player in the creation of the graduate school’s Storytelling Initiative, 2023

 

JOHN HANDLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Winchester, VA –public school

English Teacher, 08/2016 to present

Classes taught: Transitional English 1, English 1, Honors English 1, English 2, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, Forensics Speech, and Debate

Selected Accomplishments:

  • Direct annual school-wide Poetry Out Loud competition.

  • Proposed and approved 11th grade English class: “Addressing Social Issues in Young Adult Literature.”

  • Chosen to represent English Department in PBIS initiative, 2017

  • Taught recovery English credit during ASPIRE summer school, 2019

  • Hand-selected to teach Project Based Learning English courses at inaugural Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center, 2021, 2022

  • Organized community event for students to present original oratories and communicate important issues of their generation, 2022, 2023

 

John Handley High School

Winchester, VA – public school

Forensics Speech Head Coach, 8/2017 to 6/2022

I find, cut, block, and direct poetry, drama, and prose selections for individual student performers, as I support performers to find individual ways to connect and comprehend pieces through content analysis.

Selected Accomplishments:

  • Coach individual performers to district, regional, state, and national level success

  • The team earned membership in the National Speech & Debate Association’s 100 Club for achieving 100+ competitive and service points per year, 2019, 2020, 2022

 

Toogy Tales

Winchester, VA – self-employed

Storyteller and Speaker, 08/2007 to 2016

I developed and performed original stories for people of all ages. My objective was to improve children’s connection to literacy, as I presented at state-wide conferences, speaking to teachers, librarians, and administrators.

 

John Handley High School

Winchester, VA – public school

Forensics Team Assistant Coach, 9/2008 to 8/2017

I found, cut, blocked, and directed poetry, drama, and literature selections for individual student performers, as I helped performers find ways to connect and comprehend pieces through content analysis. Additionally, I assisted Head Coach and Debate Assistant Coach during team practices and tournaments.
Selected Accomplishments:

  • Coached individual performers to district, regional, state, and national level success

 

Virginia Avenue Charlotte dehart Elementary school

Winchester, VA – public school

Prekindergarten Teaching Assistant, 08/2012 to 08/2016

Implement teacher’s lesson plans during whole group instruction. Create and apply inventive approaches, such as storytelling, to learning during small group instruction. Supervise children during independent work.
Selected Accomplishments:

  • Performed original storytelling  and story-creating activities to whole school during Read Across America celebration, 2013-2016

  • Administrators’ evaluation of creative methods was enthusiastic and extremely supportive

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