Tag Team Spotlight
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TENESSEE PARTICIPANTS SIMONE GRAY Simone gray is a Spanish Teacher at White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a proud wife of Zachary and mother of Josiah. She has been teaching for 5 years; her experience spans the K-12 classrooms and a variety of subjects. Her educational background includes a dual Bachelor of Science in Biology and in Chemistry from Rust College, a Master of Art in Education from Union University, and she is currently pursuing an Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership and Administration from Union University. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honors Society in Education. Simone is originally from Brazil and her multicultural background allows her to view education and students’ needs through unique lenses that challenges her to seek deeper understanding of how to reach students individually. She believes that every student can succeed if we take the time to build relationships and show them they are capable of reaching goals beyond their own imagination. She is the cheer sponsor for the White Station Basketball Cheerleading Team, she tutors students in Language and Science subjects, she involves her students in the community by participating in the Memphis in May Educational Activities yearly, she volunteers in a local nonprofit organization focused on underprivileged youth educational and athletic success, and she is a Teacher Leader in the Instructional Leadership team at her school. As a graduate from the Delta Teacher Efficacy Campaign, she has been able to change the way she views education by paying closer attention to educational issues as stereotype threat and work to decrease the learning gap by reversing such issues in her own classroom. She is beyond grateful to be chosen as one of the agents to bring forth lasting change in her school, district, and community through T.A.G. JODIE JONES Jodie Jones is a native of Collierville, TN. In 2013, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the historic Fisk University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in music Education. She is also an Alumna of Teach for America 2014 Memphis Corps. Jodie understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach for learners, and enjoys the necessity of presenting subject matter in ways that individuals can comprehend. Her endorsements include: Elementary Education K-6, middle grades 4-8, and SPED modified K-12. Her philosophy of teaching is revolved around her students and is grounded within steady perseverance in service for them, their families, and communities. Jodie is currently a Graduate Student at Memphis Theological Seminary. She is pursuing a Master of Art Christian Education Degree with a Social Justice Specialization. DR. JOLINEA PEGUES Jolinea is a Special Education Teacher at Melrose high school in Memphis, TN where she co-teaches Algebra II and Geometry. She began her teaching career in 2006. She received her Doctorate in Education degree from Union University with an emphasis in Instructional Leadership. Jolinea believes that learning begins at birth and ends at death. She has shown this by participating in programs that have afforded her the opportunity to be better for herself and the students that she serves. These programs include being an Emerging Leader through New Leaders for New Schools (2014). Being a participant in the DTEC Teacher Efficacy Academy II where she was awarded the “Change Agent” Award (2015). In the spring of 2016, she was selected as a Tennessee Educator Fellow through the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), which focuses on education policy. Currently, she is a National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education fellow (NAATE). Dr. Pegues serves as the West Tennessee Regional Lead for the Tennessee Educator Fellowship through SCORE. Recently, the Commissioner of Education appointed her to the Tennessee Department of Education Assessment Taskforce 3.0. Dr. Pegues is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc., initiated through the Epsilon Kappa Chapter at the University of Memphis. She is an active member of the Shelby County Tennessee Alumnae Chapter (SCTAC). FLORIDA PARTICIPANTS DR. CONSTANCE GOODMAN Dr. Constance Goodman serves as an Associate Instructor at the University of Central Florida, College of Education and Human Performance. In addition to her role as faculty, she is the Coordinator for the Supporting Teacher Education Pre-Professionals (STEP) Program, a unique opportunity to connect with prospective teachers in their first year of college. Through a partnership with Orange County Public Schools, Dr. Goodman has been instrumental in college wide efforts to develop a comprehensive service learning model that prepares candidates to teach in diverse settings. Beyond the classroom, her intent to build capacity towards equitable outcomes for all children is most noticeable in her role as a member on the Evans Community School Cabinet and Co-Convener for the Supporting High Needs Populations Special Interest Group at UCF. Dr. Goodman joined UCF in June 2005. Prior to coming to UCF, she worked as a Guidance Counselor and Special Education Teacher and devoted years of professional service to Duval, Clay and Palm Beach County schools. According to her students, “Dr. Constance Goodman is a positive role model. Her passion for teaching and her commitment to preparing teachers to work with all types of children, regardless of background or ability, is noticed in everything she does in and out of the classroom”. Dr. Constance Goodman was recognized for this commitment in 2016, as a recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. DEIDRA E. JOHNSON Deidra E. Johnson has been an Educator, Mentor, Innovator, and Servant Leader in Broward County Schools since August 2001. She has certifications in Educational Leadership All Levels, School Principal All Levels, English 6-12, with both ESOL and Gifted Endorsements. A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Deidra is a proud product of Broward County Schools. After graduation, she began her pursuit for Higher Education at Tennessee State University earning a Bachelor of Art in English in 2001, with Teacher Certification. A lover of knowledge, Deidra attended Florida Atlantic University where she completed propel and earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2012. She believes that her path is and has always been purpose driven. Having served as a NESS (T.I.E.R.) Mentor for eight years, Deidra's work also included leading online instructional programs to assist teachers with standard-based lessons, coordinating and facilitating technology PLCS that enhance student engagement, as well as developing and monitoring school improvement plan. In light of these and her other various work experiences, Deidra’s career path has truly been preparing her for such a time as the one upon her. Accordingly, becoming an Induction Coach has served to align Deidra's qualifications and skill sets with her desire for service to increase teacher effectiveness that improves student achievement and builds capacity in schools with teacher retention. In fact, she truly lives her life as a living sacrifice, and as a result, Deidra has committed herself to doing her part to develop ‘a hope and a future’ for all those she may encounter. Deidra is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and holds positions in her local chapter as well as serves on the Regional Leadership Team. She enjoys reading, writing, spending time with family and friends, spreading the good news, traveling, and sports. DR. MARY LITTLE Dr. Mary little is a Professor in Exceptional Student Education at the University of Central Florida and also currently serves as the Coordinator of Graduate programs. She received her Graduate and Undergraduate degrees in Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction from the State University College at Buffalo and her Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Kansas. Her professional experiences in the K-12 schools include roles as a Secondary Teacher, Co-Teacher, Program Coordinator and Principal. Her interests include evidence-based instructional practices, interventions, teacher efficacy, and student learning related to teacher learning. She teaches courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels using traditional and on-line formats, specifically in mathematics, assessment, instruction, action research, and program evaluation. In addition, she has received in excess of $15 million in external funding for research and development from federal, state, and private funding agencies including the Institute for Educational Sciences (IES) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Currently, she serves as the Principal Investigator for Building Bridges in Teacher Education, a federally-funded research and development project through OSEP. The purpose of this project is to research, develop, and enhance the existing graduate programs at UCF to ensure highly-qualified special education teachers in the content areas of mathematics and science to improve learning outcomes for secondary students, especially within diverse, urban schools. Among her numerous articles, chapters, and books, two recent publications are entitled, Response to Intervention For Teachers: Classroom instructional problem solving and RTI and mathematics: practical tools for teachers in K-8 Classrooms. DR. SUZANNE MARTIN Dr. Suzanne Martin is a Professor at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education and served as an Educational Specialist in the U. S. Department of Education,