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TEACHING IN ACTION
While the classroom experience is essential, opportunities for learning beyond the classroom are just as vital for meaningful student engagement and real-world skill development. I am honored to have mentored, traveled with, and co-authored work alongside so many students. Both my courses and my undergraduate research mentorship embrace a “work hard, play hard” philosophy, creating an environment where students not only grow academically but also experience the personal milestones that shape their college journey. Additionally, I emphasize "real-world" writing that benefits students in undergraduate research opportunities and prepares them for career positions.
3 GENERATIONS
This is one of my favorite photos. At the time of the photo, I had been teaching for 25 years. Leigh Ann, a student from the first leg of my teaching career, had been teaching for seven years. Megan, a student who helped me mold undergraduate research experiences, was finishing graduate school. She obtained her first full-time teaching job in 2020 and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition.
Here we are riding bicycles in Louisville at the end of a long conference day. This photo sums up so much of my career—mentoring women who continue to be role models for their students.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH TEAM (ART) VIDEOS & PHOTOS
Come back soon; a new video is in production!
Teacher-Student Relationships
I first met Bernie in 1986, when he was my high school sociology teacher. Our relationship continued throughout my life until his passing in 2022. He was a mentor, a friend, and a trusted confidant. His impact reminds me of the relationships I have been fortunate to build with my own students—many of which have lasted more than twenty years. The human connection we can form in this profession is truly special. I share this in loving memory of him, and with the hope that some of my students will look back on our time together with similar fondness in the years to come.
"Teachers who put their relationships first don't just have students for one year. They have students who view them as 'their' teacher for life."
~~ Justin Tarte, Educator
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