My goal is to build collaborative relationships where University researchers can work with educators working to enhance both the research in the field and practice in a mutually beneficial connection between academia and practitioners. I provide assistance in finding and building those relationships for both faculty and student researchers in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My work also supports researchers seeking funding by building needed collaborations and assists schools connecting with researchers who wish to work in areas of need for the school. The Center for Education in Small Urban Communities is building its capacity to extend beyond the local community to other schools while maintaining an important and fruitful relationship working with local districts for the benefit of the schools and researchers.

I work with qualitative data and data collection for a funded research project studying bullying and aggressive behavior among elementary school students and how that is reflected in peer networks and friendships of the students. We are also studying the classroom activities and how they may influence the development of healthy networks or less healthy ones among the students. I am also adding a component studying school leaders and how they can support teachers in using good practices to reduce aggressive behaviors among the students.

In this position I assist researchers in developing appropriate applications for IRB approvals and work to arrange appropriate school placements for projects. I am also involved in mining data from research proposals and grants in the College.

Responsible for all district activities and primarily responsible for finance, human resources, communications, and board relationships.

Responsible for all aspects of the school district including finance, human resources, curriculum, communication, strategic planning, and board relationships.

Teaching vocal music at Springfield High School and several elementary schools.