Mink’ED Service & Board Work (current)
Board of Directors, National Council for Social Studies (term service: 2016 – present)
Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies has grown to be the largest association in the country devoted solely to social studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. With members in all the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 69 foreign countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, civics, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education. Organized into a network of more than 110 affiliated state, local, and regional councils and associated groups, the NCSS membership represents K-12 classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers and specialists, social studies supervisors, and leaders in the various disciplines that constitute the social studies.
Board of Directors, National Council for History Education (term service: 2012 – present)
The National Council for History Education builds bridges between those who share a common passion for historical thinking. More than twenty years ago, the National Council for History Education was founded to bring together historians, teachers, education specialists, university faculty, community leaders, museums, archives, libraries, and historical societies to ensure not only that history was being taught in our schools, but that excellence of instruction and learning occurred. NCHE supports and provides outstanding professional development opportunities, access to a wide range of historical organizations, thought-provoking annual conferences, publications, and information on critical national and local historical issues. Most of all, NCHE supports a community that is linked together by a common commitment to excellence in history education.
Board of Directors, North Carolina Outward Bound School (term service: 2005 – present)
For nearly 50 years, North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) has been delivering challenging outdoor adventures for people of all ages and walks of life. Every Outward Bound course is built around a progression that delivers powerful life lessons by encouraging participants to safely and confidently step outside their comfort zones while traveling in spectacular wilderness areas. We primarily choose to use the wilderness as our classroom where our objective is to train students through the wilderness, not for the wilderness.
Through these experiences, participants learn important skills for life, such as leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork. A large part of Outward Bound focuses on group dynamics and development, however it can be a very personal experience as well. By conquering their own challenges, participants discover their true potential and realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
Board of Directors, Walking Classroom Foundation (term service: 2013 – present)
The Walking Classroom Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and education of all students. The Walking Classroom program is an in-school obesity intervention that promotes health literacy and develops and supports lifelong fitness habits for all students while addressing different learning styles. The method combines standards-aligned academic content and exercise during the regular school day. Using WalkKits pre-loaded with a year’s worth of standards-aligned audio content, students walk, listen and learn.
Advisory Board for History United (term service: 2016 – present)
History United is a community coalition dedicated to promoting understanding of a shared past through collecting and curating local stories of the Dan River Region. Creating a future for our past, History United inspires the Dan River Region community in telling our stories and weaving an inclusive narrative. History United consists of several elements, including:
“The Memory Initiative” – Oral histories, “The Flow of Time” – Timeline, and “Engage” – Service learning partnerships with local schools.
Advisory Board for FEL!X (term service: 2013 – present)
FEL!X assists educators and pediatric therapists in leading discussions about intolerance, prejudice, bullying, and imbalance of power. Students are encouraged to share their own experiences with the imbalance of power they have felt or witnessed in their own lives. Our goal is to encourage students to break preconceived notions and create a new narrative, building greater compassion and respect for others.
Service & Board Work (completed)
Advisory Board for Online Learning, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (2012 – 2015)
Board of Directors, North Carolina Council for Social Studies (2012-2016)
Advisory Board, “History of Charlottesville” multimedia film project, Paladin Media (2011-2012)
Grant Reviewer, Orange County Education Foundation (2011-2012)
Board of Directors, Orange County Historical Society (2011-2012)
Advisory Board, Primary Access Initiative, Center for Technology and Teacher Education, University of Virginia (2005 – 2009)
Strategic Planning Writing Committee, Grymes Memorial School (2006-2007)
Board of Directors, National Society of Experiential Education (nominated 2008)
Award Nominating Committee, National Society of Experiential Education (2009-2010)
Founding Member in conjunction with Philadelphia Coalition (MS) TEACHERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS EDUCATION, EQUALITY, AND DIVERSITY (CREED) (2005-2009)
Advisory Board, Project Learning Tree (2005-2006)
Publications Review Sub-Committee, Association of Experiential Education (2005-2009)
Advisory Board, Kid Capitol (2004-05)
Faculty Mentor, University of Virginia (2003-04)
Reviewer and Master Practitioner Mentor, Association of Experiential Education International Conference (1997-2005)