Learning Environments &
Educational Studies

Ashlee earned a PhD in education with a concentration in the Learning Environments and Educational Studies program in 2014. Originally from Clarksville, TN, she now lives in Knoxville, TN. We asked her to reflect on past experiences with EPC and discuss where she’s at now. Read her responses below.

Current Occupation

Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN

I coordinate CSE 200: Survey of International Education. This is an undergraduate course that fulfills a general education culture and civilization requirement.

Awards and Accomplishments Earned as a Student

I was able to present A LOT as a student, and some of those presentations became publications. That really helped me to develop a solid research trajectory.

Accomplishments since Graduating

I was able to parlay my graduate teaching associate position into my current work, which I love. I’ve found that teaching and working with undergraduates has been really fulfilling, and I count those relationships as major accomplishments.

Personal Interests

I have a three-year-old, so that takes up quite a bit of my time! I also enjoy stand-up comedy and live music.

What do you think was the most rewarding/challenging about this program?

I think the faculty with whom I was able to work were outstanding, particularly my advisor and mentor, Barbara Thayer-Bacon. She was (and is) an incredible advocate, whose insight made the whole program rewarding.

What would you tell an incoming/current student in the program/department?

As for advice for potential/current students, try to learn how to say “no.” I remember committing to so many projects that, when it came time for the dissertation, I was swamped (not to mention caring for a little one).

What was the most memorable experience during your time here?

I’d say that my most memorable experiences involved my work with my peers. We formed a really tight-knit group that has carried me through a lot of challenging work. Finding humor with friends through the stress and fatigue was invaluable.

The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling wants to congratulate the graduates from nine of our programs who earned their degrees during the summer 2016 semester.

To see photos of our recent graduates, please go to the “EPC Graduates” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Frederick Lagmay Acosta
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Valerie Karen Ambrose
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Sheri K. Anderson
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Karen Lea Baker
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Breanna Paige Banks
PhD in Counselor Education

Dareen Basma
PhD in Counselor Education

Megan Amber Blonder
PhD in School Psychology

James Call
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Anthony Lavern Capers Jr.
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

Jamie Michelle Cyphers
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Andrea McMahan Damewood
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Sherrie Lynn Fairchild-Keyes
MS in Education – Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

Lynda M. Forrester
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Elizabeth Ann Hays
PhD in School Psychology

Taotao Long
PhD in Education – Instructional Technology

Ashley Rai Roberts
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Joel Eddie Simmons Jr.
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Adam Forrest Stephens
PhD in Counselor Education

Cheryl Ann Tays
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Eleanore Claire Trant
PhD in School Psychology

Laurie Ann Wade
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Tiffany Lynn Watson
PhD in School Psychology

Beth Ann White
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Destiny Nichole White
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

*If you are one of the graduates listed above and would like to have your photo added to our EPC Graduates Facebook album, then please email your picture to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu.

**If you were an Educational Psychology and Counseling student who graduated during this time frame, yet have unintentionally been omitted from this list, please send your name, degree, and major/concentration to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu. We will add you to the list after receiving this information from you and confirming your graduation status.

The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling wants to congratulate the graduates from nine of our programs who earned their degrees during the spring 2016 semester.

To see photos of our recent graduates, please go to the “EPC Graduates” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Jeffrey Beard
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Laura Healy Betz
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Lindsay Jo Bock
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Douglas Canfield
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

John Creighton Cummins
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Jamie Cyphers
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Natalie Ann Fabino
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Christine R. Hannon
PhD in Counselor Education

Hui Huang
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Madelyn Jackson
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Sara Jean-Philippe
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Sara Elizabeth Keller
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

Hannah Olivia Kincaid
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Wenshu Li
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Patricia Randall Long
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Alejandra Maria Morales
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Nicole Elyce Mullinax
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Christine Kay Patti
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Glen Robert Roberts
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

Anne Leslie Skutnik
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Rebecca Campbell Smeltzer
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Brian Kelleher Sohn
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Mary Frances Street
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Jian Su
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Nancy Elaine Thacker
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Duren J. Thompson
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Angela Kathlene Trunzo
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Madison Danielle Williams
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Natalie Diane Yancey
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

*If you are one of the graduates listed above and would like to have your photo added to our EPC Graduates Facebook album, then please email your picture to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu.

**If you were an Educational Psychology and Counseling student who graduated during this time frame, yet have unintentionally been omitted from this list, please send your name, degree, and major/concentration to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu. We will add you to the list after receiving this information from you and confirming your graduation status.

Barbara Thayer-Bacon, professor, was interviewed on PiPEline – a monthly program focused on Profiles in Philosophy and Education of contemporary scholars.

Host, Winston C. Thompson, asked her about her scholarly and personal path leading to the philosophy of education field. Thayer-Bacon expressed her thoughts on Maria Montessori and the Montessori method, explaining how this helped her “trust children’s desire to learn.” She connected early personal experiences in a Montessori school with how she operates in higher education, such as valuing diverse approaches to learning. Finally, she ended the interview with her thoughts on the future of philosophy of education – how it can be utilized regarding matters such as policy, social justice, critical service learning, non-profits, political philosophy, feminist scholarship, etc.

Her interview can be found on PiPEline.

Learning Environments &
Educational Studies

Amanda is currently seeking her PhD in education with a concentration in the Learning Environments and Educational Studies program. Originally from Everett, WA, she received her MA in French and francophone studies from the University of Florida and joined EPC in 2013. We asked her to reflect on some past and current experiences. Read her responses below.

Awards

• McClure Scholarship for Independent International Research Project: Multilingual Montessori Primary Instruction in Guadeloupe, France, Summer 2015
• MSERA Graduate Student Research Award, 2014
• ESPN Graduate Student Fellowship Award, 2013

Accomplishments

“Public Montessori Effectiveness at Instructing ESL Students.” Paper presented at the Mid-South Educational Research Association regional conference, November 4-6, 2014, Knoxville, TN.

“The Imperialist Vision of Human Rights in West Africa: The Battle for Literacy.” Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference, October 29-November 2, 2014, Toronto, Ontario.

“Nothing to Sing About: Societal Discourse in Regards to the Further Degradation of Substitute Teachers in the United States.” Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference, October 29-November 2, 2014, Toronto, Ontario (with Melissa Harness).

Refer to CV for more details.

Current Occupation

Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

French Teacher
Hardin Valley Academy
Knox County Schools

Personal Interests

Outside of research, teaching and grading papers, I enjoy spending time camping, hiking and traveling with my husband and our two-year old golden retriever, Walden. We all spend a lot of time indoors during the work week, so the weekend is reserved for as much time outdoors as daylight allows.

Future/Vocational Goals

Teaching is what I enjoy most. While I love my high school (administration and colleagues), I am working towards a switch to the tertiary level. My goal is to finish my dissertation by the end of this upcoming fiscal year.

What sold you on this program?

A PhD is a very long and arduous process. I knew that in order to complete such a degree (which I wished to do), I would need an advisor that I worked well with. Upon reading about the cultural studies program, I knew that my educational philosophy was well aligned with my current advisor’s, Barbara Thayer-Bacon. This support system, combined with the opportunity to teach CSE 200 (which I did for two years), sold me on entering this program.

What is the best tidbit you have about Knoxville?

Knoxville is very accessible to travel. The hiking/camping in the Big South Fork, GSMNP and just over the mountains Pisgah NF, is spectacular and amazing. I can also travel to see family (and for conferences/research projects) with relatively cheap flights via TYS.