Expertise and Background
For the past 20 years, I have designed and delivered applied research and evaluation projects in education settings from prekindergarten through adult professional learning in order to improve students’ academic mindsets, learning strategies, motivation, persistence, and achievement. I strive to promote equitable and positive learning environments via student academic interventions, social and emotional learning, curricula, and educator professional learning experiences in an effort to increase postsecondary readiness and lifelong success. I am a reflective and critical thinker and work flexibly to meet the needs of my clients.
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In my free time, I enjoy swimming, hiking, and exploring Austin and the surrounding hill country.
My Experience
Research Management
Develop and manage research and evaluation proposals and projects
Data Analysis
Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis
Reporting
Report to a variety of stakeholders, including grant foundations, university and school district administrators, and policymakers
Postsecondary Teaching
Teach learning sciences theory, research, and applications to undergraduate and graduate students, including preservice teachers
Curriculum Development
Develop interactive classroom and online curriculum, particularly as it relates to learning mindsets, social psychology, motivation, social and emotional well-being, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
Compliance and Accreditation
Develop and execute Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance procedures and SACS accreditation
Skills
Theoretical and Learning Sciences
21st century mindsets, skills, and strategies
Motivation (self-efficacy, value, belonging)
SEL (core competencies and applied research)
Academic transitions and persistence
Self-regulation and self-directed learning
College readiness and postsecondary success
Well-being in learning environments
Critical thinking, project-based learning, problem-solving in STEM education
Culturally responsive teaching
Collaborative learning
Research and Evaluation
Survey and metric development, particularly in the areas of psychological and academic mindsets, skills, and strategies
Online survey development
Evaluation models and techniques
Database design and data integrity
Quantitative data analysis
Qualitative data analysis
Data visualization
Applied Sciences
Instructional design (in-person and online)
Review professional learning (in-person, hybrid, online) and conduct professional development evaluations
Strategic planning
Theory of change/Logic models
Project management
Program implementation and fidelity studies
University and district IRB policies and procedures
Academic and Professional Background
15 years of experience in research, evaluation, implementation, and instructional design
2019- Present
Program Coordinator and Professional Learning Developer, UT Austin
Develop professional learning materials and events, both online and in-person.
Analyze large datasets over multiple semesters, including quantitative data and qualitative responses to evaluate the effectiveness of research programs at UT Austin.
Create logic models and construct metrics, including student and faculty surveys in Qualtrics.
Document research procedures, ensure data sharing agreements, and comply with Institutional Review Boards.
2017- 2019
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Educational Psychology, UT Austin
Hire, train, and coordinate graduate student instructors to teach a multi-section course in strategic learning and college success; work with first-year students to assist with the transition from high school to college. Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in strategic learning, 21st century skills, social and emotional learning, motivation, culturally responsive teaching, teaching methods, and academic success. Co-led grant committee and chaired undergraduate committee.
2010- 2017
Research Scientist and Senior Evaluation Analyst, The Charles A. Dana Center at UT Austin
Served as lead evaluator at the Dana Center on STEM initiatives focused on high school mathematics success and college and career readiness. Led, facilitated, and conducted applied research and evaluation in mathematics and learning mindsets programs— multisite, multiyear projects that include strategic planning, implementing innovations at scale, developing metrics and protocols, managing school-based and external researcher data agreements and analyses, data matching and documentation, and communicating with stakeholders. Worked with pioneering evaluators to develop surveys using innovative methods and analytics that more precisely measure program effects, particularly as it relates to student cognition, mindsets, and motivation in math.
2009- 2010
Senior Program Coordinator for Academic Assessment, UT Austin
Led assessment projects to meet Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) standards, including developing criteria for success, surveys, and monitoring assessment activity and progress across the College of Fine Arts. Oversaw the College’s academic departments to conduct assessments of academic programs and embedded assessments for courses to comply with University institutional effectiveness standards. Worked with assessment experts across the University to interpret policies and shape structures for documentation and accreditation processes. Responded to queries from the Dean’s office and external entities.