Founder of the National Podcast Project (nonprofit organization) and the Speak Up Whitfield regional podcast competition.
Serves as school publicist and webmaster.
Grant writer: Over $40,000 of grants for educational programs
Awards: 2021, 2022, 2023 - 2 students won "Top 12" in the NPR Student Podcast Challenge, multiple "Top 100" finalists.
Awards: Dr. Hawkins Innovative Writing Award in 2019, Tom Jones Finalist in 2020, Dressman Teacher Development Scholar in 2022-2025, Voya Unsung Hero in 2022, Rising Star Teacher - 2023.
Instructor - Communication Department
Dalton State College
08.2023 - Current
Developed an Introduction to Audio Storytelling and Podcasting course
Outlined the launch of a new Dalton State College podcast
Collaborated with Spotify, NPR, local businesses and nonprofits to provide internship experiences for college students.
English Instructor
Tompkins Cortland Community College
08.2013 - 06.2017
Shifted between informal and formal methods of teaching English 99, 100, and 101 to incorporate experiments, practical activities, discussions and projects into lessons.
English Teacher
Cortland Enlarged City School District
08.2007 - 06.2013
Developed an alternative English program called The Writing Studio.
Obtained multiple grants to purchase laptops, desktops, photography and video equipment to support project-based learning.
Supervised pre-service English teachers at the graduate and undergraduate levels through the State University of New York.
Created online learning communities surrounding novels and writing projects to links students to mentors nationally and internationally.
Education
Specialist of Education - Secondary Education
University Of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA
06.2020
Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary Education
Agnes Scott College
Decatur, GA
06.2005
Bachelor of Arts - English
University Of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA
06.1999
Service Experience
Dalton, Georgia (2017-present)
Founder, National Podcast Project & The Dalton Pod Team (2022), Mack Gaston PodLab (2023), Downtown Studio (2024)
Co-Leader, Sew Sisters Girl Empowerment Program (2022-2023)
Leader, Speak Up Whitfield PodCamp (2020-2024)
Creator, "The Day of Giving" - 4 local community service teams (2018)
Shaw/Big Brothers Big Sisters (2017-18)
Red Creek, NY (2015-2017)
Vision Team (developed programs for disenfranchised student using district data)
Evaluated district's eligibility policy and career tech programs
State University of New York - Technology Conference Leader (2011-2014)
Planned and presented at technology conference surrounding 6-12 instruction.
Professional Development Leadership
"Using Podcasting and Other Tech Tools in the K-12 Classroom" - Rising Star Educator presentation - GaETC (2023)
"POD 101: The Complete Guide to Podcasting in the K-12 Classroom," National Council for Teachers of English, Anaheim, California (2022)
"Our Stories Matter: Using Student-Created Podcasting in the K-12 Classroom," Georgia Educational Technology Consortium, Atlanta, Georgia (2022)
"Podcasting in the K-12 Classroom," Regional podcast teacher training, Mack Gaston Center, Dalton, Georgia (2021)
"Incorporating Publication Into Curriculum," Presentation to Literacy PLCs, Dalton Middle School (2018)
"Educating Parents Alongside their Children," New York Teacher's Center, Cortland, New York (2016)
"Using Community Stories to Empower," National Council for Teachers of English, Austin, Texas (2015)
"Responding to First Generation Graduates and their Families," New York Teacher's Center, Cortland, New York (2013)
"Remote Reading Response: Collaborating Across the Miles to Enhance Classroom Literacy," National Council for Teachers of English, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2012)