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Jessie McDowell, M.a.
Jessie McDowell, M.a.
CETL Director
Education Background: Executive Leadership, M.A. Current ED.D. student, Liberty University
Years of teaching/education experience: 11
Joined CETL: 2021
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
I've always been drawn to leadership and teaching, even has a teenager. I'd tutor peers, teach health as a personal trainer and look for ways to lead. Shortly after high school, I joined the U.S. Air Force. From day one of being an element leader in basic training, to becoming an instructor and evaluator in my active duty squadrons, my passion for teaching never left. I spent years teaching new airmen complicated jobs with highly technical requirements and in a fast-paced environment. Overtime, I'd earned the reputation for being the instructor to go to with questions or concerns. To me, teaching is equal parts knowledge and connection.
Eventually I left the airborne classroom, having taught numerous students over the years. That experience cemented my love for humor, creativity and empathy in the learning process. After that, I taught at the high school level, leaning heavily on the skills I'd learned as a military instructor. I was thrown into new classes with zero curriculum or support just weeks before the school year began. In 2021, we were still in the throws of COVID and I was teaching my students virtually while deployed overseas and flying military surveillance missions. Try teaching with a 9-hour time difference!
That stressful and frustrating experience led me to seek a position where I could slow down and truly concentrate on the course-building aspect of teaching, and the support of educators. My experience of trying to pour from an empty cup as a high school teacher has made educator support, development and encouragement a non-negotiable part of my future career. When I found the CETL at Texas Wesleyan, I immediately clicked with the mission and our role of empowering our faculty. Ever since, I've remained focused on that mission.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
What are you most passionate about in your work?
I'm deeply passionate about supporting faculty through personal connection. The teaching field is underrated and unless you've been in that position, you cannot appreciate how much time, dedication and sacrifice it takes on a daily basis. I'm here to lift stress off faculty shoulders and provide guidance or solutions. I love our Ramily here at Texas Wesleyan and have made so many wonderful connections. I see your hard work and appreciate each of you!
What are some of your goals for CETL and Texas Wesleyan?
What are some of your goals for CETL and Texas Wesleyan?
I have 900 future goals and a team of five to accomplish them with! 🤣 In all seriousness, since our new team came together this academic year, we've focused on personal connections with faculty and more 1:1 consulting. Our team has branched out to expand our online presence, online tutorials for faculty and a new website. We have also started presenting at regional conferences with massive success! In the future, I see CETL and Texas Wesleyan at large being a leader in the region with AI implementation and inter-college networking. Our team launched the "Justin" AI bot to support faculty, we use AI to accelerate our internal processes, and we are constantly seeking new ways to implement AI into the classroom. With our motivated and highly skilled team, I feel confident in our ability to think outside the box, suggest innovative strategies and design curriculum with the future in mind.
Gwen Williams, M.S.
Gwen Williams, M.S.
Instructional Technologist
Educational Background: System Information and Instruction Technology MS, East Texas A&M
Years of education/teaching experience: 40
Joined CETL: 2017
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
I’ve always loved computer science and math—they’ve challenged me, inspired me, and sparked my curiosity. But I knew early on that I didn’t want to spend my days behind a computer, isolated in a lab, programming alone. What I truly wanted was to share that excitement with others—to make STEM come alive for students in ways that felt meaningful and fun.
That’s what drew me to education. Teaching gave me the opportunity to turn abstract concepts into real-world discoveries. I’ve seen students light up when their code finally works, when their robot moves for the first time, or when they realize they can build something from nothing. They bring joy—not just to the students, but to me as well.
And beyond the classroom, education became a beautiful part of our family life. My husband and I worked at the same school where our kids attended, so we shared the same daily rhythm. It gave us precious time together, created shared memories, and brought us closer. For us, education wasn’t just a job—it was a way of life, full of connection, purpose, and love.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
What are you most passionate about in your work?
One of my passions is supporting faculty in creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences for their students. I love helping instructors find new ways to connect students to their content—whether that’s through active learning, real-world application, or just bringing a little more energy into the classroom.
There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping faculty build courses that truly matter—courses that are not only academically sound but also relevant to students' lives, goals, and futures. When we design with intention, we help students succeed in ways that go far beyond the final grade.
But what brings me the most joy is seeing that spark light up in a faculty member—the moment they get excited about trying something new, or when they see their students more engaged than ever before. Supporting that kind of growth and inspiration, and knowing it directly impacts the student experience, is what drives me every day.
What areas of expertise or topics do you most enjoy collaborating on with faculty?
What areas of expertise or topics do you most enjoy collaborating on with faculty?
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is collaborating with faculty on ways to make their courses more engaging and impactful. I especially love working together on designing meaningful activities that draw students into the learning process—helping them participate, explore, and truly connect with the material.
I also really enjoy introducing educational tools that make teaching more dynamic and learning more interactive. Whether it’s finding the right technology to support an assignment or experimenting with a new platform to enhance classroom discussion, it’s exciting to help faculty discover tools that fit their teaching style and goals.
Another area I find deeply rewarding is partnering with faculty on curriculum content and assessments. I enjoy the process of thinking through what we’re teaching, how we’re teaching it, and how we can best measure student understanding in authentic and equitable ways. These collaborations feel like true teamwork, all centered around improving the student experience and helping everyone—faculty and students—succeed.
Casey Miller, M.Ed.
Casey Miller, M.Ed.
Instructional Designer
Educational Background: M.Ed. in Executive Leadership and Educational Technology; Current Ph.D. student, University of North Texas
Years of education/teaching experience: 18
Joined CETL: 2024
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
My path into education wasn’t linear—it was personal. I grew up in a home shaped by generational poverty, where the idea of earning a doctoral degree or leading educational change felt out of reach. But those early challenges became the fuel for my passion: breaking down barriers to learning and opportunity.
And so my journey began with a simple but powerful belief: learning should be accessible to everyone. That belief took root early, when I worked in language acquisition programs in Romania and Mexico. I saw how language could either unlock opportunity or become a barrier, and I wanted to be part of removing those barriers. This expanded to environmental impacts on learning development, and how to leverage technology to further push those barriers.
At first, my focus was on young learners. I loved watching those “aha” moments when a student grasped a new concept or found their voice. But over time, I realized something profound: when you support adult learners—especially educators—that same “aha” moment doesn’t just impact one person. It ripples outward, shaping entire classrooms, schools, and communities. That shift changed everything for me. My ideal student became the adult, the teacher, the leader —anyone who could multiply the impact of learning.
That realization led me to roles where I could support educators at scale. I’ve designed professional learning programs, advised the Texas State Board of Education, and led grant-funded initiatives with National Geographic. Each experience deepened my commitment to equity, innovation, and systems-level change. Whether I’m building curriculum, collaborating with faculty, or designing digital learning environments, I’m driven by the idea that education is a force multiplier—and that supporting adult learners is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting impact.
Joining CETL was a natural next step. It’s a place where I can bring together everything I’ve learned—about instructional design, technology, leadership, and empathy—and use it to empower faculty in meaningful, transformative ways.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
What are you most passionate about in your work?
Instructional design, for me, is about unlocking potential, building confidence, and creating ripple effects of growth. I love the moment when a faculty member realizes that a small shift in design or delivery can completely change how students engage. That moment—that spark—is what drives me.
Over the years, I’ve come to see data as one of the most powerful storytelling tools we have. I love uncovering the story behind the data and turning it into actionable steps that improve learning.
I also believe that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful change, and I strive to build trust and collaboration in every project I take on. At the heart of it all, I believe in the power of connection. Whether I’m working with a faculty member one-on-one or facilitating a training, I lead with empathy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
What areas of expertise or topics do you most enjoy collaborating on with faculty?
I love working alongside faculty to bring their ideas to life—whether that’s designing a new course, reimagining an existing one, or integrating emerging technologies like AI in ways that feel authentic and sustainable. My favorite collaborations are the ones that start with a question or a challenge and evolve into something transformative.
And I’m always up for a good whiteboard session or a coffee-fueled brainstorm. At the end of the day, I see my role as a thought partner—someone who listens, asks the right questions, and helps faculty turn their vision into something meaningful and impactful.
What areas of expertise or topics do you most enjoy collaborating on with faculty?
I love working alongside faculty to bring their ideas to life—whether that’s designing a new course, reimagining an existing one, or integrating emerging technologies like AI in ways that feel authentic and sustainable. My favorite collaborations are the ones that start with a question or a challenge and evolve into something transformative.
And I’m always up for a good whiteboard session or a coffee-fueled brainstorm. At the end of the day, I see my role as a thought partner—someone who listens, asks the right questions, and helps faculty turn their vision into something meaningful and impactful.
Tim Whiting, M.S.
Tim Whiting, M.S.
Instructional Designer
Educational Background: Masters of Science - Training and Development
Years of education/teaching experience: 26
Joined CETL: 2024
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
Why did you choose to work in the education field?
Opportunity. I have been given great opportunities throughout my career. As an educator (teacher, administrator, trainer, designer), I have developed a desire to provide others with an opportunity. Opportunity to learn. Opportunity to grow. Opportunity to succeed. There is no greater joy than to present someone with an opportunity and then to watch them take it and run with it. Therefore, education, in all its forms, has been the perfect fit for me.
Since I was young, I had a desire to help others, a desire to teach others, and a desire to celebrate with others when they take advantage of the opportunities to learn and grow. I now take joy in seeing my own sons take on opportunities, and transfer those into opportunities to succeed in school, in a career, and in life. Even when I stepped out of the traditional educational setting, I still taught others and valued the need for education.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
What are you most passionate about in your work?
Communication. I believe that in any career, any industry, any job, communication is key. Effective communication builds relationships, opens doors to opportunities, and is the key to success. When we know how to communicate with our students, we are able to provide guidance and support for what they need.
What areas of expertise or topics do you most enjoy collaborating on with faculty?
What areas of expertise or topics do you most enjoy collaborating on with faculty?
It’s simple. I like working with others. Discovering the problem, utilizing our strengths, developing a solution, analyzing the results, and celebrating the success. I have found that in this role, that can come in a variety of instances. Creating a course from scratch, troubleshooting a tech issue, diving into learning strategies, and learning how to best impact our students and our university.
Edon Ademaj
Edon Ademaj
Coordinator
Educational Background: B.A. in English and History
Joined CETL: 2022
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