I began my career in education as a 1:1 special education aide. I then taught first grade in Arcola, IL and Sullivan, IL. As rewarding as teaching was, I was encouraged to become a principal due to the opportunity to impact more lives. I serves as an elementary principal (PK-3) for three years. During this time I led our school through monumental changes such as full inclusion in our pre-k program and standards-based grading for K-3.

Eventually, I was tapped to succeed the retiring superintendent of our district. During my superintendent tenure, I oversaw major curriculum changes, a continued implementation of standards-based grading beyond third grade, an innovative professional development model, and a building addition. Ultimately, the stress of navigating a school district during the Covid pandemic, coupled with the community I was living in, led me to reevaluate my career path as a superintendent. Stepping down after just one year into a newly signed four year contract, I had to go searching for the happiness I once felt.

To do this, I decided to take a drive. No, not a random drive; a well thought out, pre-planned journey that took me to all 102 counties in Illinois. I stayed off major interstates and highways the best I could and explored what made Illinois unique. Along the way, I went by schools, taking note of how they created an identity on the outside. It was during this drive I entered Mercer County and eventually the town of Aledo. I love it in ways words cannot capture. They were also looking for a third grade teacher on short notice. It was a match made beyond the control of the universe.

If you would have told me I would have only been in Aledo for a year, I would have laughed at you. But life has a funny way of reminding you of the concept of destiny. Always wanting to transition in higher education, an assistant professor position opened up at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a top 20 HBCU located on the Delmarva Peninsula in Princess Anne, MD. In one of the most difficult decisions I had to make, I opted to make the leap.

I received my bachelor’s degree from Millikin University in Elementary Education. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with my master’s and specialist’s degrees, both in Educational Leadership. I finished my education at Indiana State University where I received my Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. The title of my dissertation was The Relationship Among Reasons Teachers Joined the Profession, Job Satisfaction, and Encouraging Future Teachers. 

My main research interests include employee job satisfaction; student and employee motivation; 21st century learning; recruitment, retention, and attrition; and special education. I find my areas of interest grow as I read more and more dissertations and other writings.