David Cihak
Associate Dean, Professional Educator Programs and Director of the Bailey Graduate School of Education
Phone: 865-974-6638
Email: dcihak@utk.edu
Biography
David F. Cihak, Ph.D. is the University of Tennessee’s Associate Dean of Professional Educator Licensure and Director of the Bailey Graduate School of Education. David oversees 100+ educator licensure endorsement programs and 130+ school district partnerships across Tennessee and the nation. He has led the development of multiple innovative, flexible program options for anyone, anywhere, and at every stage of life who aspires to become a licensed Tennessee educator. As a professor of special education, his research focuses on effective instructional and positive behavioral strategies, particularly the use of video, augmented, context-aware, and mobile technologies to enhance educational, vocational, and social-communicative outcomes for adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities and autism in both classroom and community settings. As one of the primary investigators of the FUTURE program, he developed UT’s post-secondary education program for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Education
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Ph.D. Exceptional Children (2005)
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Masters of Science, Exceptional Children (2000)
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO. Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (1994)
Georgia. Teacher Certification: Emotional Behavioral Disorders (1996)
Amelia Brown
Director of the Office of Professional Licensure
Phone: 865-974-1398
Email: aabrown@utk.edu
Biography
Amelia Brown is the Director of the Office of Professional Licensure (OPL). Amelia oversees licensure programs and processes, ensures compliance with state and national accreditation standards, regulations, and policies, and leads continuous improvement efforts through the management of the data-driven quality assurance system. Amelia serves as a liaison with the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee State Board of Education. Outside of work, Amelia enjoys traveling with her family, hobby farming, and sending her kids to school each day to be taught by amazing teachers, many of whom have graduated from UT’s amazing teacher education programs.
Education
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. PhD. Teacher Education (2018)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. MS, Science Education (2011)
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. BS, Plant Sciences-Agronomy (2001).
Jalea Adams
Associate Director of Clinical Placements
Phone: 865-974-5283
Email: jalea.adams@utk.edu
Biography
Jalea Adams, Ph.D. is the Associate Director of Clinical Placements. Jalea works closely with school partners, coordinates clinical placements, and facilitates mentor, university supervisor, and teacher candidate training and handbooks. Jalea serves as a liaison with schools and districts, ensuring compliance with risk management procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Master of Science in Education Administration, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS
Amanda Zeller
School Partnerships Facilitator
Phone: 865-974-7044
Email: azeller1@utk.edu
Biography
Amanda Zeller, Ph.D., serves as the School Partnerships Facilitator. She is responsible for managing school partnership agreements/MOUs, including state-required annual compliance measures. Amanda also provides support for job-embedded program improvement and facilitates educator preparation data collection/management for state and national accreditation. Amanda brings many years of education experience, having taught technology courses at the high and middle school levels in Houston, Texas, and Knoxville. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband of 20+ years, often at the baseball field, supporting their two sons.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia from California State University at Northridge in Northridge, California
Master of Science in Education: Teacher Leadership from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas
Doctor of Philosophy in Theory and Practice in Teacher Education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville
Cheryl Robertson
UT-PLAYS Facilitator/Instructor
Phone: 865-974-9585
Email: crober13@utk.edu
Biography
Cheryl Robertson, Ed.D. is a facilitator of the UT- PLAYS program (Personalized Learning At Your Speed). Her primary responsibilities include supervising aspiring teachers in PLAYS’ asynchronous, competency-based educator licensure programs. Robertson also assists with administrative and fiscal management of the UT-PLAYS program and serves as a liaison for the Grow Your Own program.
Robertson lives in Knoxville with her husband of 34 years, and she has one daughter who is a professor of Psychology at the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland. Outside of work, Cheryl is on a quest to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers play in all 30 major league ballparks.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Pacific Christian College in Fullerton, California
Master of Science in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Educational Specialist in Education: Administration and Supervision, Lincoln Memorial University
Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership, Lincoln Memorial University
Rhea Carmon
UT-PLAYS Program Facilitator
Phone: 865-974-6888
Email: rcarmon@utk.edu
Biography
Rhea Carmon is a facilitator of the UT- PLAYS program (Personalized Learning At Your Speed). Mrs. Carmon’s primary responsibilities include supervising aspiring teachers in PLAYS’ asynchronous, competency-based programs and educator licensure programs. Mrs. Carmon also assists with administrative and fiscal management of the UT PLAYS program and serves as the Mathematics content expert on this team.
Jamie Smith
UT-PLAYS Program Facilitator/Instructor
Phone: 865-974-7310
Email: jasmith@vols.utk.edu
Biography
Jamie Smith, Ph.D. is a facilitator of the UT- PLAYS program (Personalized Learning At Your Speed). Jamieprimary responsibilities include supervising aspiring teachers in PLAYS’ asynchronous, competency-based educator licensure programs. Jamie also assists with administrative and fiscal management of the UT PLAYS program and serves as the Special Education content expert on this team.
I am a proud mother of a young adult, supported by a partner who encourages me in all aspects of my life. Outside of my professional endeavors, I find balance in nature and creative pursuits. My daily routine includes journaling, meditation, and exercise to maintain clarity and focus. I have a deep passion for the arts, particularly watercolor and acrylic painting, as well as hand-built pottery, which brings me immense joy and fulfillment.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Minor in Elementary Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Master of Science in Teacher Education/Elementary Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Doctor of Philosophy in Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Julia Campbell
Administrative and Data Coordinator
Phone: 865-974-0944
Email: jcampb89@utk.edu
Biography
Julia Campbell is the Administrative and Data Coordinator to the Associate Director of Clinical Placements. Her primary duties include supporting the work of the Associate Director, including data management, communications, and event coordination. Julia has been with the University for over 10 years providing executive-level administrative support across a range of diverse administrative activities for the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.
Education
Associate of Arts in Commercial Art & Advertising, Harford Community College
Meghan Copley
Certification Officer
Phone: 865-974-4118
Email: mcopley@utk.edu
Biography
Meghan Copley has been part of the University of Tennessee for over seven years and serves as the Certification & Admissions Officer. Her primary responsibilities include processing educator licensure by helping future educators navigate the licensure process, and ensuring they meet state requirements. In addition, she assists with analyzing student state assessment performance data for federal and state reporting.
Meghan also works with admissions for graduate-level educator licensure programs and manages graduate-level scholarship awards for post-baccalaureate teacher education students.
Outside of work, Meghan enjoys spending time with her young daughter and family. Most weekends, you’ll find her out on Norris Lake or cheering on Tennessee Athletic teams!
Education
Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a concentration in Sport and Event Management, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.
*Meghan is currently pursuing her masters in Higher Education Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Meagan Spillers
Administrative Program Support
Email: mspillers@utk.edu
Phone: 865-974-0310
Biography
Meagan Spillers serves as an Administrative Program Support for teacher education program admissions. Her primary responsibilities include verifying admission requirements, processing federal background reports, managing communications with students and faculty, and overseeing calendar management for the Associate Dean and Director of OPL. She has worked in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences for over 10 years.
Meagan has two children and is married to her high school sweetheart. They love to vacation at the beach and enjoy spending time together as a family.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville