Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I teach students in the Education & Communication Department. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I work as an Elementary School Principal. In my role as a principal, I serve students and families from diverse backgrounds. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My experience allows me to share real-world examples concerning education and communication with my students. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

I always wanted to be a teacher, since I was very young. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Always keep pushing forward. Earning a degree can be stressful, but it is worth the effort. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

Facilitate eLearning in the IX Series of Courses. Course Lead. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

Diversity and inclusion have been a constant throughout my education career, from teaching in the inner-city to teaching in elite private schools with students from around the globe. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

Outside experience and my PG Role are part of a system in the context of my professional practice. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

Tenacity. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Stay off the ropes. You will be knocked down in the ring. Get up and return. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I teach doctoral courses in the EdD program at Purdue Global.

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I work at Stetson & Associates as a national educational consultant focused on special education compliance and programming. I work at the Texas Education Agency as a special education conservator in failing school districts in the state of Texas. I teach and work with graduate and doctoral students at Concordia University in Austin and the University of Houston. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

I have worked in collaborative teams with culturally diverse students and faculty from all over the country, as well as developed online courses at other university systems. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

My dad was a high school English teacher for 38 years in the same school district, and I always believed that teaching was the way to change lives and always wanted to go down this pathway. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

The most important thing you need to do is have perseverance to make it through an educational institution. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

As an adjunct professor in the EdD program at Purdue Global, I’m happy to support and guide students as they pursue academic rigor in their research interests, particularly through teaching courses on research in responsive curriculum design and innovation in education. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

Outside of teaching, I am an entrepreneur who recently opened an Arabic restaurant and serve as a J-1 Visa Responsible Officer for the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Teaching Program, where I support international educators in their transition to teaching in the U.S. I have also served as a consultant in special education programs and have a diverse teaching background across middle school to community college, in subjects including English, Biology, Music, Japanese Language, and Leadership skills such as emotional intelligence and conflict management. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My outside experience enhances my role here by allowing me to connect more effectively with international students, drawing on my global work and cultural experiences to support their transition and success. Having worked in both traditional public school classrooms and corporate training environments, I bring a versatile understanding of diverse educational settings, which helps me relate to students with varied professional and academic backgrounds. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

I found my way to this career path by following my strengths in innovation, creativity, and the ability to connect with others—what Clifton Strengths calls “Woo.” I’ve never been drawn to managing people; instead, I’m passionate about managing ideas, sparking curiosity, and helping students—especially young people—rediscover wonder in their world. My commitment to Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences has shaped how I approach education, valuing the diverse ways students learn and express understanding. With experience teaching both overseas and in the U.S., I’m deeply invested in helping students develop global competencies like empathy, compassion, and cultural awareness. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

My advice to new and continuing students is to stay curious, communicate often, and be willing to explore ideas beyond the surface. True research doesn’t mean Googling articles—it means diving into peer-reviewed journal studies, understanding how the research was conducted, and learning to think critically about its application. I strongly encourage students to truly learn APA 7, as it’s a vital tool for scholarly writing and research. For discussion boards, I recommend going beyond opinion and backing up ideas with real studies that spark your interest, especially as you build toward your EdD culminating project. Most importantly, apply the theories and practices you’re learning to your current work environment—whether that’s a school, organization, or another setting—because that’s where the learning becomes transformative. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I have been with PG for 16 years. I started as an adjunct, then went to full-time adjunct and finally I was hired as a full time faculty. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I wear many hats outside of PG. I started as a public school speech and hearing teacher and then a Reading specialist (MS Ed). I was a private tutor for reading for many years. I also have a PhD in K-12 teaching and learning as well as five other degrees. I have an AAS in Criminology, a BS in Business Administration, a second MS Ed in Instructional Design, a graduate certificate in Human Resources, and an ABA certificate.

Lifelong learning is so important to me. I am a volunteer volleyball coach at my local YMCA. I have run a youth volleyball program going on 11 years this fall for ages 5-18. I am also an NCAA III collegiate coach (my 3rd season). I am a former homeschooling parent of 27 years. I still work a great deal with the homeschooling community. I evaluate of 600 students every year in the state of PA. I started and ran a private, religious school in PA for six years. I also started Valley Learning Cooperative 5 years ago. VLC currently serves 90+ students and is a democratic homeschool cooperative. I am the Educational Director at Maranatha Home Missions Network (a not for profit organization started nearly 40 years ago by my parents) , and the President of Lycoming & Clinton County Homeschool Association of PA. These positions are all volunteer work that I do in the homeschooling community. This is where my diversity and inclusion come into play as the homeschooling community is varied and requires me to work with families from all backgrounds, ethnicities, economic status, and faiths. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

These roles help me to improve my leadership skills and because I am intimately involved with 600 k-12 grade students it keeps me present in the field. I am constantly supporting parents in developing curriculum for their students. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

I have always loved education, but once I became a mother, I knew I would stay home and educate my own children at home. My goal was to be able to also be an advocate for the homeschooling community. I knew most stay at home moms would not go to school to get their doctorate. So I did it for those moms. Once I earned my PhD, I couldn't stop there. I wanted to be able to support educators at the earliest stages and still be able to stay home with my own children. Online teaching seemed the perfect fit. For me the learning never stops. I am working on my 9th credential in education. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

Your future is what you make it. 

Tell us about your role here at Purdue Global.

I am a professor in Early Childhood Administration. I am also the Faculty Advisor for Autism Speaks U here at Purdue University Global. 

Tell us about your background and roles outside of PG. 

I am a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in the state of Florida. In this role, I work with many diverse families, foster families, and other caregivers to ensure that the children I work with are in safe and healthy living and learning environments. 

How does your outside experience help with your role here?

My volunteer work ensures that I continue to develop strategies to work with diverse families, professionals, and children. 

How did you find your way to your career path?

After I completed my PhD, I was hired to teach a new course on working with children with special needs as an adjunct. 

What is your advice to new and/or continuing students?

I think it is important to get involved in student life here at Purdue University Global and to join committees in these groups.