Hometown/Sending School
I lived many places in Arkansas as my father was a Methodist minister. I was in Magnolia when I was admitted to ASMSA.
College and Area(s) of Study
BA in Psychology with minors in Music and Religion from Hendrix College in 2000
PhD in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2008
Current profession and company. Tell us what you do.
I have been a professor, researcher, and practitioner across my career. I was recently Supervisory Psychologist/Team Coordinator for the PTSD unit at Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks where I supervised 15 therapists and the care of more than 10,000 veterans. I am currently an independent scholar and occasional wisdom teacher, mentor, and healer.
What made you choose ASMSA?
I was excited about being challenged with rigorous learning opportunities, especially the variety of mathematics courses offered.
What are your fondest memories of the school?
My fondest memory is engaging with fellow students committed to learning and growing together, often outside of the classroom. Despite my higher education pursuits, ASMSA is perhaps the most diverse and valuable learning community I have ever experienced. I also loved the afternoons and evenings that we played basketball for hours and hours.
What do you feel was the most important thing that you learned?
Independent thinking and open-mindedness were the most important values I learned. I never again accepted information at face value, especially without evidence of subject matter expertise.
Share a favorite quote and/or your favorite book.
One of my many favorite books is The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World by Lewis Hyde. The book emphasizes selflessness over self-expression and focuses on the process of creating gifts, no matter the form. One of my favorite quotes from Angela Davis is: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” I believe too many people underestimate their ability to influence local communities and sometimes view critical issues as beyond their control. I also love learning about traditional Lakota ways of knowing, including stories, rituals, songs, etc.
What do you feel are the most important tools for an educator to have in today’s classroom?
It is vital for an educator to nurture profound curiosity for new learning. Students benefit from developing the skills to recognize subject matter experts and eventually become experts themselves. My favorite educators encourage transdisciplinary knowledge and the examination of multiple perspectives and evaluation methods.