Faculty:
Dr. Lori Caudle- (HS) Lori Caudle received her Ph.D. in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee in August 2010. Within her dissertation study, she formed a community of practice with pre-K mentors, both online and face-to-face, in an effort to increase their knowledge of how to best educate preservice teachers in pre-K classrooms. Her other research interests include the impact beliefs have on teacher practice, how inquiry supports the professional development of teachers, and the role technology plays in teachers’ acquisition of knowledge. Lori was an early childhood teacher and a university program coordinator before coming to Western Carolina.
Dr. Anne Marie Garth - (ELMG) Anne Marie Garth will graduate this year with an Ed.D. in language and literacy in education from University of Pennsylvania, with a specialty in writing. As well as teaching in higher ed since 2002, Anne Marie taught English in middle and secondary schools in the Philadelphia area for about ten years.
She enjoys live music, travelling, and cooking Indian and Italian food.
Dr. Nancy Luke - (ELMG) Nancy Luke began her career teaching young children in an urban setting in Virginia, then moved to Germany to teach with the DoDDS system followed by a year as a Montessori assistant while earning her Masters’ degree in Teacher Education. Her doctorate in Instructional Technology led her to Savannah where she directed a faculty support unit and then joined the faculty full time teaching candidates to integrate technology into their future work as teachers. Her research focuses on how to develop effective curriculum and instruction for learners including the use of technology to support this process. She is also interested in global education and has collaborated with a colleague and the Peace Corps to develop a field-tested curriculum on understanding culture for young learners. Nancy enjoys reading and knitting as well as hiking and canoeing with her husband, Philip.
Dr. Valerie Mazzotti- (HS) Valerie L. Mazzotti, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of special education in the Department of Human Services at Western Carolina University. Her current interests include students with mild/moderate disabilities, self-determination, secondary transition, and positive behavior supports. Valerie is currently living in Asheville with her husband and two cats. Her hobbies including making stained glass and cooking with her husband.
Dr. Bianca Montrosse- (ELF) Bianca E. Montrosse received her Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Research Methods and Evaluation. Before joining WCU, she worked for the SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro as a Research & Evaluation Specialist. In this capacity, she led a number of educational evaluations and worked on various projects related to SERVE’s federally funded Regional Education Laboratory contract. Outside of her professional life, Bianca enjoys yoga, photography, cooking, and speaking Italian (her first language).
Dr. Erin Myers - (PSY) Erin Myers has recently received a Ph.D. in Psychology (Social-Personality emphasis) from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her research interests include the status-signaling properties of self-esteem, fragile self-esteem, gender, and narcissism. Outside of academia, Dr. Myers enjoys reading, knitting, visiting art museums, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Dr. Carrie Rogers- (ELMG) Carrie completed her PhD in curriculum and instruction at the University of Minnesota in elementary education with an emphasis on teacher education and development. Prior to working on her PhD Carrie was an elementary teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools. Carrie research interests reflect her belief in interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Her interests include examining how experienced teachers’ stories impact beginning teachers and the role of imagination in sustaining teacher capacity. Carrie loves to hike, ride her motorcycle and dance. Carrie and her husband and their border collie are very happy to be in Western North Carolina.
Staff:
Kurt Frederick- (TRACS) Kurt Frederick has B.A. In English from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in English from Georgia Southern University. Prior to his work with TRACS, Kurt spent 11 years directing university adventure programs, taking students backpacking, kayaking, surfing and dogsledding around the world. Once his first born, Lily, came around, Kurt was less inclined to travel and more inclined to spend time at home with his growing family. So, he taught Leadership and English courses as an adjunct until the family moved to Cullowhee so his wife Angie could be the new Director of Campus Recreation & Wellness. After arriving in Cullowhee, Kurt was stay-at-home dad for about a year and wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. Kurt and Angie are expecting their second daughter, Daisy, on December 22nd.
Heath Nettles - (TRACS) Heath Nettles is an academic advisor in the office of Teacher Recruitment, Advising and Career Support. Prior to joining the college in May, he worked as an assistant director in Western Carolina’s Undergraduate Admissions Office. Heath received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is entering his third semester of graduate studies at WCU. Of particular interest to Heath are new media, inclusive of Web 2.0 and social media, particularly with regard to Facebook and Twitter and the role of professional development within these mediums.