My professional plan and career objective is to work at for an educational research organization such as Brown at the Brookings Institute

or as a University faculty member where I could facilitate research in an educational setting. I have wanted to work in this capacity since 1993 when I worked as a consultant for the University of Rhode Island. My responsibility there was to develop and implement a successful, cutting-edge, public school-based mediation program. The Universitys Ocean State Center for Law and Citizen Education had received a federal grant. I had just completed my masters research which specifically analyzed what elements must be in place in order to assure a successful medication program. This research was and is vital as the success rate for public programs remains at about 50% beyond a two to three year startup period. I was confident that my research outlined how to avoid such a disastrous low success rate. The Center agreed. I thrived on developing and implementing successful programs at fifteen different site locations. Our success continued for only two short years as the director was unable to secure additional funding. However, I gleaned several significant lessons from my work experience at URI. University-charged, funded programs have the potential to impact a broader population. Many of our sites resided in inner city schools with a significant low socio-economic population where opportunities to implement mediation programs were not always feasible due to human and financial resources. The loss of this program was a travesty for the schools we had worked so closely with. This proved to me that providing supporting evidence and meeting all deadlines in order to maintain funding is essential not only for the University but for the people who are impacted by the Universitys cause. This experience solidified my desire to get a PhD in education policy. Our family moved to Albany, NY and I took a doctoral level course on qualitative and quantitative research. My professor approached me with her desire to recommend me for the program. Unfortunately we resided in New York for a short period of time and the feasibility of applying was derailed. My husbands work continued to require multiple transfers. Regardless, I passionately maintained my involvement in the field of education by teaching and implementing public policy. I proved myself to be a capable leader in 1997 when I resided in the state of Massachusetts. A new state funding formula had created large financial deficits for most districts. I found this unacceptable and spearheaded a grass roots organization to advocate for additional town funding. Our organization became 150 strong. Working hand in hand with the local Superintendent and School board, we successfully passed the towns first ever override. Our effective efforts did not come without backlash. I was either loved or hated by the towns people and looked forward to reading such sentiments in the weekly local Op-Ed letters. This experience prepared me for the reality of advocating for change that may not always be readily received. I recognize the tremendous energy and assertion one must take to advocate for and successful implement new policies. My work has continued at this level. I became an elected member to our school council in Massachusetts where I reviewed, developed and oversaw implementation of school initiatives. My work was recognized when I received the Outstanding Community and Service Award from our town. I

repeated a similar pattern of involvement in New Jersey and Minnesota. Our family moved to Virginia in 2005. I began work immediately as a long term sub. The following year I secured a full time position at Wolftrap ES in Vienna, VA. I teach U.S. History on a sixth grade team where we strive to implement methodology that incorporates differentiated instruction in order to ensure student success. I continue to provide community education programs focusing on the implementation of successful, at-home conflict resolution programs for parents/guardians of young adolescents. My advocacy for policy implementation has continued. I have been a member of the School Plan committee since my arrival to Wolftrap, as well as, the Social Studies lead teacher. Additionally, I began taking graduate courses in an effort to prepare myself for admission into a doctoral program. Specifically, I took two University of Virginia courses and last spring I took a graduate GMU GOVT course offered by Dr. Conlan. My experience at GMU was exhilarating. I fell in love with the University as it provided me with the rigorous, cutting edge studies I longed for. I knew immediately that this was the desired experience I wished to have as I obtain my doctorate. I have waited many years to fulfill my desire to obtain a doctorate in Education Policy. Thankfully, I can solidly state that our family has settled and moving is a part of our past. I am more than anxious to commingle my passions of teaching, researching and implementing world-class best practices by receiving a doctorate in Educational policy. I know I will be an asset to the University and the College of Education and Human Services.