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David Cihak\n<\/span>Associate Dean, Professional Educator Programs and Director of the Bailey Graduate School of Education
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-6638
\n<\/span>Email: dcihak@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n David F. Cihak, Ph.D. is the University of Tennessee\u2019s 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\u2019s post-secondary education program for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. PhD, Exceptional Children (2005)<\/span><\/p>\n Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. MS, Exceptional Children (2000)<\/span><\/p>\n Teacher Certification: Emotional Behavioral Disorders (1996)<\/span><\/p>\n University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO. BA, Psychology (1994)<\/span><\/p>\n Georgia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 outstanding teachers, many of whom have graduated from UT\u2019s amazing teacher education programs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. PhD, Teacher Education (2018)<\/span><\/p>\n University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. MS, Science Education (2011)<\/span><\/p>\n University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. BS, Plant Sciences-Agronomy (2001)<\/span><\/p>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS<\/p>\n Master of Science in Education Administration, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS<\/p>\n Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS<\/p>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n Amanda Zeller, Ph.D., serves as the Educator Preparation Data Coordinator. In this role, she leads the collection, management, and analysis of educator preparation data to support continuous improvement and state and national accreditation efforts. Amanda oversees data systems and reporting processes aligned with CAEP and state requirements, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and meaningful use of data across programs. She collaborates with faculty, staff, and district partners to streamline data workflows, support evidence-based decision-making, and strengthen program effectiveness.<\/p>\n 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 more than 20 years, often at the baseball field supporting their two sons.<\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia from California State University at Northridge in Northridge, California<\/span><\/p>\n Master of Science in Education: Teacher Leadership from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas<\/span><\/p>\n Doctor of Philosophy in Theory and Practice in Teacher Education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville<\/span><\/p>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n Brad Rasmussen is the Educator Partnership Facilitator for the Office of Professional Licensure (OPL). Brad serves as a liaison between the OPL and school districts, collaborating to place UTK teacher licensure candidates into clinical placements. Outside of work, Brad attempts to keep pace with his wife and 3 kids, enjoys outdoor adventures, rides motorcycles, spends time on the lake, and particularly enjoys his morning coffee!<\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Shippensburg University, PA. MEd, Counseling (2002)<\/span><\/p>\n Messiah College, PA. BA, Psychology (1996)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n Rhea Carmon is a facilitator of the UT- PLAYS program (Personalized Learning At Your Speed). Mrs. Carmon\u2019s primary responsibilities include supervising aspiring teachers in PLAYS\u2019 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Jamie Smith Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n Jamie Smith, Ph.D. is a facilitator of the UT- PLAYS program (Personalized Learning At Your Speed). Jamie\u2019s primary responsibilities include supervising aspiring teachers in PLAYS\u2019 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.<\/span><\/p>\n She is a proud mother of a young adult, supported by a partner who encourages her in all aspects of her life. Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds balance in nature and creative pursuits. Her daily routine includes journaling, meditation, and exercise to maintain clarity and focus. She has a deep passion for the arts, particularly painting, as well as hand-built pottery, which brings her immense joy and fulfillment.<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Minor in\u00a0 Elementary Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville<\/span><\/p>\n Master of Science in Teacher Education\/Elementary Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville<\/span><\/p>\n Doctor of Philosophy in Teacher Education\/Special Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville<\/span><\/p>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n Julia Campbell is the Administrative and Data Coordinator to the Associate Director of Clinical Placements.\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Associate of Arts in Commercial Art & Advertising<\/span>, Harford Community College<\/span><\/p>\n Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Meghan also works with admissions for graduate-level educator licensure programs and manages graduate-level scholarship awards for post-baccalaureate teacher education students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Outside of work, Meghan enjoys spending time with her young daughter and family. Most weekends, you\u2019ll find her out on Norris Lake or cheering on Tennessee Athletic teams!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Education<\/strong><\/p>\n University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. MA, Higher Education Administration (2025)<\/p>\n Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV. BS Recreation and Leisure Studies (2007)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/Amelia-226x300.jpg\")
Amelia Brown
\n<\/span>Director of the Office of Professional Licensure
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-1398
\n<\/span>Email: aabrown@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/Jalea-234x300.jpg\")
Jalea Adams
\n<\/span>Associate Director of Clinical Placements
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-5283
\n<\/span>Email: jalea.adams@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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Amanda Zeller
\n<\/span>School Partnerships Facilitator
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-7044
\n<\/span>Email: azeller1@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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Cheryl Robertson
\n<\/span>UT-PLAYS Facilitator\/Instructor
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-9585
\n<\/span>Email: crober13@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Brad](\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/10\/brad-rasmussen-headshot-238x300.jpg\")
Brad Rasmussen
\n<\/span>Educator Partnership Facilitator
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-4482
\n<\/span>Email: brasmus4@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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Rhea Carmon
\n<\/span>UT-PLAYS Program Facilitator
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-6888
\n<\/span>Email: rcarmon@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>UT-PLAYS Program Facilitator\/Instructor
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-7310
\n<\/span>Email: jasmith@vols.utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/Julia.jpg\")
Julia Campbell
\n<\/span>Administrative and Data Coordinator
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-0944
\n<\/span>Email: jcampb89@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/mcopley.jpg\")
Meghan Copley
\n<\/span>Certification Officer
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-4118
\n<\/span>Email: mcopley@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/Meagan-S-Website-Picture-200x300.jpg\")
M<\/span>eagan Spillers
\n<\/span>Administrative Program Support
\n<\/span>Email: mspillers@utk.edu<\/a>
\n<\/span>Phone: 865-974-0310<\/span><\/p>\n
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