Alumni Speak

My story can best be described as a 'double shot at love' with the School of Education. I'm a product of the undergraduate elementary education licensure program and a current student in the masters program in special education.

Jordan Adair '78, Durham Academy Upper School teacher, was honored at the U.S. Presidential Scholars Award ceremony and received the Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education.

Esther (Bunny) Akers was named the 2011 recipient of the Clinical Partnership Award. "When you combine Bunny's own teaching with the teaching careers of her former student teachers, Bunny will have touched the learning of more than 230,000 middle and high school students."

Ginger holds two degrees from William & Mary and was recently named vice president for student affairs.

Since I loved the collegiate experience and the wide array of experiences it had to offer, a career in higher education administration seemed natural. I applied to programs all over the country because I wanted to test my boundaries and experience a “culture” different from that of the West Coast and the Pacific Northwest.

Mashea Mason Ashton '96, M.Ed '97, has been selected by The Aspen Institute and NewSchools Venture Fund for the prestigious Entrepreneurial Leaders for Public Education Fellowship Program.

Laura Bagbey '11 is the 2011 recipient of the VACTE Scholarship. She remarked in her application, "Teaching means striving everyday to understand my students and help them to believe that their opportunities in life are limitless."

Amy Barnes, PhD '07 (Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership) has been named Senior Lecturer in the HESA program at The Ohio State University.

Providing educational leadership in many capacities, Dr. Barry L. Beers served as a middle and high school principal for 20 years and has received many honors throughout his years of service.

G. Douglas Bevelacqua, has been selected to serve as Inspector General for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Office of the Inspector General in Virginia.

Dr. Frances Boyd ‘72 has 38 years of teaching experience from elementary through high school in urban and rural, private and public settings. She has taught in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland in the areas of Special Education, Reading, Social Studies, French and German.

Clint Calzini Ph.D. '11 (EPPL) now serves as the principal of the secondary school at Westlake Academy, Westlake, Texas. Calzini has a master's degree in school leadership from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in secondary education with biology and psychology from the University of Vermont.

Tamra Stambaugh Ph.D. '07 and Kimberley L. Chandler Ph.D. '04 recently published a book with Prufrock Press titled Practical Solutions for Underserved Gifted Students: Effective Curriculum for Underserved Populations.

Applauded for a strong record of teaching, research and service, Dr. Christine Olivia Cheney '71, M.Ed '73, has been named the Dean of the College of Education, University of Nevada, Reno.

Billitta Jallon Brown Croskey '96 serves as the Director of Academics at the SEED School of Maryland. This fall sixth grade girls were welcomed to "William and Mary Hall," filled with college paraphenalia.

Dr. Joy L. Davis, Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Louisiana - Lafayette has written a new book, Bright, Talented and Black; A Guide for African American Gifted Learners.

I graduated with a better understanding of the macro and the micro - with the ability to see simultaneously both the forest and the trees - and to fly.

"It’s an amazing thing to watch how she can motivate a child who has had a long history of difficulty and she seems to know what to do to break through their struggle to understand our language and access it. She’s phenomenal."

I learned a great deal about higher education but I learned even more about myself and how I wanted to impact the world through my profession and scholarship.

Dr. Shannon Chance shared the significance of LEED certification in university buildings at the Graduate Research Forum featuring the new School of Education facility. Student researchers demonstrated their findings with members of the Virginia General Assembly. The Virginia Council of Graduate Schools conducts it annually at the Library of Virginia.

Billitta Jallon Brown Croskey '96 serves as the Director of Academics at the SEED School of Maryland. This fall sixth grade girls were welcomed to "William and Mary Hall," filled with college paraphenalia.

Mike Faughnan, Ph.D. '08 is completing eighteen months as the Chief, Education Division for the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

he higher education administration graduate program at William & Mary offered exactly what I was looking for.

Loury Ollison Floyd, Ph.D. '04, Associate Professor & Assistant Dean for Teacher Education at the School of Education at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, has been elected Vice President of NC-ACTE.

The practical nature of the program at William and Mary is a key feature that caught my attention. As I had hoped, by the second week I was already out of the classroom and in the field interacting with children and observing practicing school psychologists.

Working as the Graduate Assistant of Intramural Sports allowed me to apply diverse classwork - ranging from student development theory to law in higher education - in professional practice.

David Gaston '88, M.Ed. '90, (secondary education) and Ed.D. '05 (Educational Planning, Policy and Leadership) has been selected to serve in the Williamsburg James City County Public Schools central office.

On Feb. 5 during Charter Day weekend, School of Education graduate, Sue Hanna Gerdelman ’76, will be among five honored by the William and Mary Alumni Association with the Alumni Medallion.

Emilie E. Godwin Ph.D. '09 was recently quoted in The New York Times while discussing the impact of brain injuries on family members, "When injuries to the brain tear at hearts."

If you are looking for a program that offers a balanced perspective grounded in theory and practice, look no further.

Since I received my BA in Psychology at the University of Richmond in 2009, I became fascinated with addiction research, education, and the process of behavior change.

Ann Gillespie Gray, M.Ed. '00, Ed.S. '03, a member of the School of Education Development Board, chose to enter William & Mary School of Education in mid-career only to find a very supportive environment for learning and balancing family life.

The professors were unbelievably open and helpful throughout my time there, and the classes, internship and Master's Project well prepared me for numerous aspects of the higher education arena.

Linda Harkins, Ed.D., 1998 spent July 2009 in Turkey as a recipient of a Fulbright-Hays Summer Abroad 2009 grant.

At the Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative awards ceremony School of Education alum, Robert W. Harrell Jr., was named 2009 Hampton Roads Local Hero.

The professors are so helpful, the curriculum is fun, yet challenging, but W&M's prestige and outstanding academic reputation sealed the deal for me. The brand new School of Education didn't hurt, either.

Jennifer Hayes M.Ed 04 is Program Manager at USI Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, Switzerland.

Warhill High School in Williamsburg has named second year teacher, Samantha Hazell '08, Teacher of the Year.

Daina Henry spoke at the Philippine Association for Institutional Research to serve as keynote speaker at its August conference.

Sue Henshon Ph.D. '05 recently presented a paper at The University of Cambridge in England. She discussed the topic, “Popular Culture for Young People: A Look at Recent Trends" at a conference sponsored by Homerton College.

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has selected Christine L. Hill, Ph.D. '02, (Education Policy, Planning and Leadership), as Deputy Chief of Curriculum.

Kathleen Ricards Hopkins, Ed.D. 1996, EPPL/Special Education has authored, "Teaching How to Learn in a What-to-Learn Culture."

A 1971 graduate of the Elementary Education program, Jill Sivertsen Hunter, Ed.D. now served as the chairperson of the School of Education Development Board.

Ashley Cambridge Wilson Ide, M.Ed. '12 has been named assistant principal of Barron Elementary School in Hampton, Virginia. Last spring she was been named Teacher of the Year at Hampton City Schools at Phenix PreK-8 School.

My once perceived daunting experience has really developed into one of the most wonderful years I have ever had. I’ve grown academically, professionally, and interpersonally.

The rich history of the American public higher education system, rooted at William & Mary, created a unique backdrop to study and prepare to be a leader in higher education.

Patsy Rainey Joyner C.A.S.E. '83, Ed.D. '89, lauded as a true role model, retired as vice president for Institutional Advancement at Paul D. Camp Community College in January after 31 years with the college.

Leslie S. Kaplan, Ed.D. '78, has recently co-authored and published a new textbook, "American Education: Building a Common Foundation"

Antonis Katsiyannis, a professor of special education at Clemson University for the past 13 years, was named an Alumni Distinguished Professor in the fall of 2010.

You couldn't ask for better preparation to face the challenges and opportunities of a career in higher education than the program at William & Mary.

Daria Kavaliova Lorio '09 has been selected for the DAIS Instructional Specialist postion with the York County School Division. Mrs. Lorio was the 2009 recipient of the Dean's Awards for Excellence - Masters Level.

The program's reputation and rigor attracts a spirited student body who contribute to developing a community of intellectual inquiry and engaged collegiality.

Tracey F. Jones, has been named the assistant principal at Toano Middle School, Dr. Stacia M. Barreau has been named principal at James River Elementary and Joy E. Martin will serve as assistant principal at Rawls Byrd Elementary.

Bronwyn MacFarlane, Ph.D. '08 has been offered tenure and has been promoted to Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Department of Educational Leadership where she is in her fourth year as Assistant Professor of Gifted and Talented Education at The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education.

I spent the last seven years coaching college basketball, the last four of which included some general administrative work for the institution.

So far my passions have included integrating spirituality into counseling, working with youth around diversity and inclusivity issues, and gender and LGBTQ issues.

Michael McDonough, M.Ed.85, Ed.S.87, Ed.D.96 has opened a private practice in County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland.

Getting to spend another year under the 5-Year MA.Ed program was an easy decision.

Dr. Susan McGowan-Koyzis, who completed her doctoral work in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership with an area of emphasis in Gifted Education Administration at William and Mary, has been appointed the Interim Dean for the Honors College at West Liberty University.

Many years of working with children throughout high school and college proved to me that I needed to pursue a career that allowed me to help children. I had always been drawn to school systems, but decided working with children on an individual level was more fitting than being a teacher with a classroom full of children.

Sara Miller was recently named a finalist for the International Reading Associations's Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award.

What happens when Adam Hollinger and his obnoxious older sister, Courtney, convince their absent-minded mother to allow them to adopt a pair of corgis — after their father explicitly said, “No!” ? Author Val Muller answers this question as the mystery on Dorset Drive unfolds.

Brian Nichols, 2003 M.Ed. graduate of the Educational Leadership program and principal of Hidenwood Elementary School, Newport News, VA, received national recognition for his work at the ASCD national conference in Texas.

When I came to visit the College, I felt like the School of Education laid the red carpet down for me wherever I went.

Dr. Deborah Pettit has been named Regional Superintendent of the Year for 2013. She and her team at the school were also credited for their response when they had to invent an emergency plan on the fly when a 5.8 earthquake — centered in Mineral — hit the county on Aug. 23, 2011.

Drew Polly '99 was recognized by the UNC Charlotte College of Education for his Sustained Service to Public Schools. He has just finished his fifth year there as an Assistant Professor.

Dr. Shannon Chance shared the significance of LEED certification in university buildings at the Graduate Research Forum featuring the new School of Education facility. Student researchers demonstrated their findings with members of the Virginia General Assembly. The Virginia Council of Graduate Schools conducts it annually at the Library of Virginia.

I was a Graduate Assistant for Programming in Student Activities here at the College, and I loved it! It was a lot of nights and weekends, but a well-attended event is always worth the work you have to put into it!

Lucia Sebastian, M.A.Ed. '87, Ed.S. '92, Ed.D. '96, has been selected to head a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Grant to Assist School Divisions with Student Achievement.

Meg Smith has been named the 2012 Virginia Teacher of the Year. "I want to remind people of all the dedicated teachers, fantastic students, and meaningful moments happening in Virginia's public schools every day. I invite everyone to celebrate and strengthen our schools," said Mrs. Smith.

looked at a lot of well respected graduate programs and chose William & Mary because of the thorough breadth of coursework the program offers.

Steve Staples '76, M.Ed. '82 served for 17 years as superintendent of York County School Division, one of the highest performing school systems in the Commonwealth. For his leadership within the division and state, Steve was named Superintendent of the Year.

When I talk with other people about my time at William & Mary, one of the most important parts of my degree program (beyond the excellent faculty) was the field placements.

"Great teachers change lives by inspiring students to recognize their gifts and to learn how to use them to pursue a worthy dream. Jeremy Utt is one such teacher," said Kappa Delta Pi International President Dr. Pamela Kramer Ertel.

Lisa Vernon-Dotson, Ph. D. ‘03, is the Director of Special Education Programs at the Duquesne University School of Education in the Department of Counseling, Psychology, & Special Education.

"I first decided to attend the College of William and Mary for the Master's degree in Higher Education and later began the Doctoral program in order to pursue my passion for research in international higher education.

The strong national reputation of William and Mary initially attracted me to this program. But what made it an effortless decision when considering other programs was how welcoming the faculty and students were when I came to visit.

In May of 2011, I packed up my maroon and orange and moved back home to Williamsburg.

Susannah Wood, associate professor at the University of Iowa Department of Rehabilitation and Counselor Education, has been recognized for the University of Iowa College of Education’s 2011-2012 Collegiate Teaching Award, the college’s highest honor recognizing excellence in teaching.

I am a recent graduate of the Counselor Education and Supervision program. When I was applying for graduate programs, I did a national search to find the program that was the best fit for me and could offer the experiences I wanted and needed.