Amy Kirk

Charismatic lecturer with demonstrated success in student learning outcomes and faculty collaboration. Nurturer of classrooms as active learning communities via Universal Design for Learning Principles. Driven to foster alchemy of course materials, students' interests, and writing.

• As Friends of the Sewickley Library Board Member (2021 - present); manage hospitality committee to plan bi-annual staff appreciation days.
• As Arts in Education Chairman, managed events at Willow Creek Elementary, Kingwood, Texas (2013-2016); position included developing art events relevant to curriculum, managing faculty feedback, coordinating with artists and performers plus faculty and administration, scheduling class times for events, coordinating needs day-of events
• Managed Annual Fund Campaign at Riverwood Middle School, Kingwood, Texas (2016-2017) coordinating communication with donors and fundraising events; made presentations to administration and PTA regarding resources and donation allocations
• As Patriot’s Day Coordinator at Willow Creek Elementary, Kingwood, Texas (2014) supervised PTA team (N=40) and coordinated with teachers to run an all-day immersive experience about colonial life for fifth graders; day included craft lessons, food, tea time, military training, musical production, dancing, and an evening event where fifth graders learned about the Declaration of Independence

• "Barbie Professor" 2023 (sociology) - chosen by students as someone who embodies female leadership, empowerment, and kindness
• 2020, 2018 & 2016 (Recognition) Identified by Dr. Frank Parker (Vice President of Student Affairs) as “a person who made a difference during development and growth” of undergraduate students, Sam Houston State University
• 2016 (Recognition) Choosing to teach online: why online was right for me. (Cover feature written by John Holder based upon an interview with me; published in Educators and Innovators SHSU Online Magazine)
• 2012 Texas Counseling Association Research Award for the paper Religious and spiritual values and moral commitment in marriage: untapped resources in couples counseling? Counseling and Values, 55: (2): 228-246.
• 2011 Paper of the Year Award received from the Counseling and Values journal for the paper Religious and spiritual values and moral commitment in marriage: untapped resources in couples counseling? Counseling and Values, 55: (2): 228-24.

• Completed SHSU Online Faculty – Communities of Practice Course 2019
• Created and organized “Connecting Through Books” column in which both graduate and undergraduate students write about pleasure reads with sociological connections; column published in departmental newsletter and social media. 2019-2020
• Children’s Worship Volunteer and Vacation Bible School Volunteer – North Hills Church of Christ (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) 2019-present
• Texas Council on Family Relations – Student Mentor 2019; Poster Presentation Judge (Austin, Texas) 2019
• SHSU – CHSS’s Online Teaching Committee Member 2016-2017
• Vacation Bible School Educational Coordinator (Lake Houston Church of Christ; Atascocita, Texas) 2015-2017