Gail Brown (e-mail)
Chair of the Education Department, Associate Professor of Education
B.S., Radford University; M.Ed., Ed.D., University of Virginia

If there is one thing I want students in my classes to take with them, it’s the belief that all children can learn.

Teachers today not only teach subject areas or programs of study, they teach children – children who come from various backgrounds and have differing needs. Reading, which has always been my passion, is a critical component to whether or not children will be successful later in their educational careers, and their lives.

I received my undergraduate degree from Radford University and my master’s degree in reading from the University of Virginia. I attended Lynchburg College for my Reading Recovery Training and am currently pursuing my doctoral degree.

I came to Randolph College after spending more than 30 years in the public school setting. I taught in Roanoke County Schools, Fort Knox Dependent Schools, Campbell County Schools, and Lynchburg City Schools. I also served as a Title I Reading Specialist, Staff Development Specialist and Instructional Reading Specialist for Lynchburg City Schools.

When I began teaching first grade, I quickly realized that I was not reaching all of the children in my class. I needed to do more research into the theories and methods for teaching reading. The more I studied, the more I realized there was to learn. The training I received in order to help myself in the classroom soon led me to take on administrative roles. As a first grade teacher, reading specialist and trained Reading Recovery teacher, I have spent my 32-year-career teaching reading to children, to new teachers, and in graduate level courses.

Teaching teachers seemed the next logical step. I want to make sure tomorrow’s teachers enter the classroom with the skills necessary to reach their students and to help them succeed.

Understanding how people learn to read is critical for teachers. My classrooms are very interactive, and I try to model the type of teaching I want teacher candidates to use. In the Education Department teacher candidates are taught the importance of being independent learners and to look at teaching strategies with a critical and reflective eye.

As an advisor I encourage students to be physically as well as mentally active and currently serve as the faculty athletic representative on campus. When I am not on campus, I enjoy reading, friends, the mountains and the ocean.

Monica Floyd (e-mail)
Adjunct Instructor in Education

Margaret Schimmoeller (e-mail) (web site)
Professor of Education
B.S., University of Dayton; M.A.T., Oakland University; Ed.D., University of Virginia

I am a teacher educator and educational researcher interested in a wide range of topics related to the learning process. All children are learners and I adhere to this premise in all of the work. I received my B.S. from the University of Dayton, my master’s degree from Oakland University, and my Doctorate of Education from the University of Virginia. My areas of emphasis include special education, educational law, math and science education and teaching and learning through the college level. I joined the Randolph College community in 1993.

As an educator I have taught in Ohio, New York, Michigan and Virginia. I was drawn to students who were intelligent but performed behind their peer group in school. As a result of these experienced I pursued a master’s degree focusing on reading and learning abilities and disabilities. My doctoral studies included work in curriculum and instruction, leadership and policy studies and child development/psychology. I have worked with pre-K through high school aged students who were diagnose with mild or moderate reading and learning disabilities in a wide range of setting at both private and public schools.

My research work includes work in Bangkok, Thailand and Lahore, Pakistan where I have traveled and worked with teachers in public schools and colleges. I research how teaching and instructional practices influence student learning and classroom climate. My work includes reading, science, mathematics and college teaching practices.

During my tenure at Randolph I have worked to promote higher education and the importance of the liberal arts and its practical application to various professional career opportunities. I enjoy working with colleagues on leadership, change and transition, and strategies that help move the college forward.

I am actively involved in a variety of professional organizations including the American Association for Teaching and Curriculum, the American Education Research Association, Virginia Association for Science and Technology, and the American Association for University Women. In addition I work closely with the Jubilee Family Development Center, New Vistas Schools, and Camp Kum-Ba- Yah Environmental Center to promote learning outside of the traditional school day.

Consuella Woods (e-mail)
Instructor in Education
B.S., Bluefield State College, M.A., Lynchburg College

Education wasn't always the profession of choice for Consuella Woods. When she first entered college, she wasn't sure if teaching would be right for her. But after a few years, she learned that teaching was in her blood.

She was always helping people and always wanted everyone to meet their maximum potential: both characteristics of a successful teacher.

Today, Woods is retired, meaning she has started yet another career path -- that of a college professor. After about 34 years as a teacher and principal for local public school divisions, Woods left the world of public education to become an education professor at Randolph College.

A graduate of Bluefield State College, Woods received her master's degree from Lynchburg College and also completed work at the University of Virginia. She has worked for Prince William County Schools, Bedford County Schools and Lynchburg City Schools.

For Woods, teaching others to teach has its own rewards.

"The textbooks will tell you all of the information," she says. "But I've lived it. I have the opportunity now to help others learn to do what I did for so many years. I have the opportunity to help students become effective teachers and effective administrators."

The bottom line, she adds, is to help all students, whether they are college-aged or younger, to succeed.

Woods was the first minority female of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals and was an officer of Phi Delta Kappa. She has served on numerous school and community organizations including Camp Child, The Lynchburg Family Physicians Board of Directors and the Lynchburg College Advisory Board.

She has been a speaker at several professional conferences including the VASSP Summer Administrators Conference and the Women's Resource Center at the University of Virginia.

Woods spends her free time reading, cooking and singing. She is active in her church and loves to spend time working with youth.