Janine Al-Aseer
Clinical Faculty and Director
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Dr. Al-Aseer is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE) at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research focuses on Community Schools and other grassroots efforts to support public education and ensure positive outcomes for students, caregivers, and the larger community. Her foci include (a) the aligning of resources toward the holistic development of students in the P-12 public education system; (b) encouraging communities toward awareness of and engagement in their local schools; and (c) facilitating the implementation of authentic initiatives that are designed by and work hand-in-hand with the communities they serve. She is deeply dedicated to the mission of the Boyd Center for Community Schools and has made a lifelong commitment to serving the East Tennessee community.
Jordan Shields
Research Data Manager
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Jordan Shields is a macro practice social worker with a practice background that includes community development, stakeholder engagement, resource coordination, program evaluation, and implementation planning. Her interest in public education, especially whole student support, originated from working as a community school coordinator, which sparked her passion for preventative and early interventions. Jordan has worked with education-adjacent nonprofits to evaluate and support the successful implementation of whole-student support programs in the areas of after-school programming, postsecondary education access, school mental health, and other integrated systems of support for students and families. In her role as the research data manager, she manages the evaluation projects for the Boyd Center for Community Schools.
Casey Olmstead
Community School Coordinator
Sunbright School, Morgan County
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Casey Olmstead is dedicated to supporting the students, school, and community of Sunbright School. Her role as the UACS Coordinator allows her to make a positive impact on students’ future outcomes. With a focus on PreK-12 students, Casey’s work aims to ensure the best possible educational experience for each student by using the community school model. Since 2014, Casey has been an integral part of the Sunbright School community, holding various roles within the school. Her passion for student success and family well-being drives her commitment to her work at Sunbright School.
Megan Mundie
Postdoctoral Fellow
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Megan Mundie is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Theory and Teacher Practice at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Megan’s work began as a member of the UACS research team where she was introduced to the community school model. Since then, her dissertation research focused on the ways in which Community Schools can positively shape undergraduate students as they prepare to enter the field of education. Megan is passionate about working alongside communities in collaboration with the Boyd Center for Community Schools.