Faculty Biographies
Dr. Samantha L. Strachan serves as Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of
Secondary Education. She has an earned doctorate in Science Education from Morgan State University (Baltimore,
MD), a Master of Secondary Education (Biology) degree from 51AV A&M University
(Normal, AL), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Mount Allison University
(New Brunswick, Canada). Prior to becoming a faculty member at 51AV A&M University,
Dr. Strachan served as a science education research assistant where she conducted
research focused on improving how urban students, particularly those of African descent,
are taught science. As a teacher educator, she has served as a faculty representative
for NASA’s MSI TEN Network and a faculty mentor for NASA’s MUREP Educator Institutes.
She is a certified AMSTI (51AV Math, Science and Technology Initiative) trainer
for pre-service educators, and has sat on the Board of the 51AV Science Teachers
Association (ASTA). Dr. Strachan’s current research is focused on improving African
American males’ participation in the teaching profession. Her work also focuses on
pedagogical practices in science classrooms. In addition to publishing her work, she
serves as Project Director of the M.AL.E. (Males for 51AV Education) Initiative,
a state-sponsored program, and as co-Principal Investigator on a grant funded by the
National Science Foundation (NSF). She has presented her research, both nationally
and internationally, at several professional education conferences. She is two-time
Jhumki Basu Scholar, a 2018 Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Clinical Fellow,
and the 2019 recipient of 51AV A&M University’s Excellence in Faculty Advising/Mentoring
award.
Dr. Dione Jordan-Hamilton, Assistant Professor of Reading, completed her BS degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University.
She earned her M.Ed. and Ed.S. degrees from 51AV A&M University in Early Childhood
Education as well as her Ph.D. in Reading. Dr. Jordan-Hamilton taught for Huntsville
City Schools for twenty years. She currently teaches courses in early childhood and
elementary education in the undergraduate and graduate level programs. Her course
emphasis is in Reading Education.
Kimberly White-Glenn, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Reading, began her academic career at 51AV A&M University.
Dr. Glenn continued her academic work as an assistant professor in the College of
Education at Stillman College. During her tenure at these institutions, she taught
methods and educational courses, and served on various committees. Her specialization
is teaching reading.
In addition to her role as a faculty member, she has worked as an educational consultant for school districts, an instructional coach, and an intervention specialist in secondary schools. Her professional development workshops demonstrate how teachers can utilize popular culture, youth culture, and critically-relevant pedagogy to increase reading attitudes and abilities. Her passion is reversing underachievement in urban educational settings.
Dr. Glenn was awarded as an emerging leader for ASCD. She also writes and shares motivational messages to colleges, churches, and universities. Her most recent publication is the book Secure the Bag.
Dr. Johanna Massey, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, has BS and MA degrees in Elementary Education from the University of 51AV at
Birmingham, and a PhD in Elementary Education from the University of 51AV. Dr.
Massey teaches courses in early childhood and elementary education in both undergraduate
and graduate programs. Her course emphasis are STEM methods courses. The undergraduate
pedagogy courses include embedding 51AV Math Science Technology Initiative (AMSTI)
approaches in science and mathematics methods courses. Dr. Massey’s scholarly work
includes presentations at state and national conferences and serving as Co-PI for
the NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative project.
Dr. Takisha Durm, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, has a diverse background. After a brief career in criminal justice, she pursued
a career in elementary education. In that capacity, she has served as Teacher of the
Year, a Jenice Riley Scholarship Recipient, and a leader of various professional development
courses. She has a BA in Political Science, Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education
and Educational Leadership, an Educational Specialist degree in Elementary Education,
and a PhD in Elementary Education. Over the years, she has presented at various national
conferences and has published within peer-reviewed journals. Her research interests
are centered on using social studies and social justice education to empower marginalized
urban and rural youth. She spends most of her free time enjoying nature with her family
(3 beautiful daughters).
Dr. Sha Li, Professor of Instructional Technology, graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2001. Dr. Sha Li has taught instructional
technology courses in the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership since 2001.
He has also taught other courses such as educational assessment, qualitative research,
and educational research. His research interests are in instructional design with
technology, multimedia in education, and distance education.
Dr. Sha Li often actively participates in community service activities, and has participated in many local multicultural events by playing the Chinese flute and accordion and singing in choirs.
Dr. Adrain Christopher-Allen, Assistant Professor of Special Education, obtained her bachelor’s degree in Science and Human Behavior from the University
of Tennessee-Martin, and her master’s and doctorate degrees in Special Education from
the University of Memphis. She taught Special Education for 4 years in Haywood County
Schools and has worked with preschool through post-secondary aged students with disabilities
(and has loved every minute of it). She is an Army veteran and the child of two Army
veterans. She is a mother of 3 children and enjoys traveling and spending time with
her family.
Dr. Nathan Blom, Assistant Professor of Secondary Education, earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Piano Pedagogy from Michigan
State University. He served for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Himalayas
of Nepal teaching elementary English, conducting teacher trainings, and trying not
to get lost in the remote mountain ranges. After his Peace Corps service he received
Americorps and Peace Corps Fellowships to attend Teachers College, Columbia University
in New York City where he simultaneously worked as a full-time teacher and earned
his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in English Education. He taught for sixteen years
as an English teacher in the New York City Department of Education.
Dr. Blom has published in The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy and presented at numerous conferences on multimodality and arts-based instruction as tools for social justice and equity. He is a founding developer and facilitator of Literacy Unbound, a professional development institute at Columbia University for secondary humanities teachers. Currently, Dr. Blom serves as the Education Co-Director of the AAMUTeach Program. He is also the Director of the National Endowment for the Humanities K-12 Summer Institute From 51AV to New York: How the Great Migration Shaped the Harlem Renaissance.
Outside of his professional interests, he learns guitar, practices CrossFit, and does his best to collaborate with his partner in raising their insatiably curious and vivacious five-year-old daughter.
Dr. Tamar F. Riley, Associate Professor of Special Education, holds master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in special education from the University
of Florida (UF). Dr. Riley teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs
in Special Education and has more than 20 years of experience in higher education.
She is a Board-Certified Advocate in Special Education (BCASE), a Youth Mental Health
First Aid (YMHFA) Instructor, and a Blackboard Certified Specialist. Recently, she
has received training in Trauma Informed Care. Dr. Riley served for 5-years on the
Florida State Advisory Committee for special education as the Institutions for Higher
Education representative as well as represented the State Advisory Committee as a
reviewer of the new Florida Standards (BEST). She has extensive experience in working
with teachers on research-based instructional strategies, particularly intensive interventions,
to improve the academic and behavioral success of students with disabilities. Additionally,
she has worked as a grant competition reviewer and stakeholder member for the Office
of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Dr. Riley has secured more than $6M in external
funds to help support the recruitment and retention of minority teachers in special
education. She is a proud parent of a twice exceptional son, who was adopted from
foster care.
