Tinkering
with Tales

Angela Stanford, Ed.D, NBCT, has spent 30 years teaching students in K-12 schools through higher education. She taught elementary and middle school science and mathematics in the early years and then specialized her focus while a science specialist for a STEM school. She has provided consultant work for school districts as well as professional development training for regional education centers. Angela co-authored many peer-reviewed articles, including, “Dissecting Intellectual Dialogue” and “Renovating our Science Learning Centers” for the National Science Teachers Association’s Science & Children Journal, and “Retooling Rubrics” for the Association for Middle Level Education’s AMLE Journal.

Angela received her Elementary Education and Masters of Education from Southern Arkansas University. She received her Education Specialist and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence Science. Angela is currently an Associate Professor of Education and the Director of Middle School and STEM Education Programs at Southern Arkansas University. Angela resides with her husband, Danny, in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Julie Quast, Ed.D., NBCT, is an Assistant Professor at Henderson State University with almost 20 years experience in education. Her various roles in education include teaching kindergarten, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, serving as a K-6 Literacy Coach, assistant principal, and curriculum coordinator. Julie is certified in English as a Second Language K-12, as a Reading Specialist K-8, and Building Level Leader K-8. She enjoys presenting at local, state, and national conferences and has published in several peer-reviewed journals.

Julie earned a doctorate in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University and National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. She is focused on teaching the whole child, ensuring an inclusive learning environment for all students, and using technology to engage students in quality learning experiences. Julie lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas, with her husband and three children.

Lisa Oden, Ed.D, is an Associate Professor at Southern Arkansas University with more than 30 years of experience teaching at the elementary and college levels, with a specialty in preparing educators in literacy and pedagogical methods. She has authored peer-reviewed work in teacher effectiveness and presented both nationally and internationally on the topic of non-traditional college student retention, including at the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Oden has also received numerous grants throughout her education career, with an emphasis in developing in-service teacher capacity in effective uses of instructional technology. She has received teaching excellence awards at both the elementary and two-year college levels for her service to her students.

Lisa earned a Doctorate of Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and has a Master's Degree and Bachelor's degree from Southern Arkansas University. Oden is passionate about literacy and the science of teaching and lives with her husband and fellow educator, Greg, in El Dorado, Arkansas.