Director of the Institute for Innovative Community Learning: Dr. Janet Pilcher, Ph.D.

Janet Pilcher is the Director of the Institute for Innovative Community Learning. She recently served as the dean of the College of Professional Studies at the University of West Florida . During her tenure as dean, the College of Professional Studies was considered the most innovative and technologically advanced unit on campus. Dr. Pilcher has published and presented over 50 refereed publications, and she generated approximately 15 million grant and contract dollars. On average, she produces about 22% of the total grant dollars at the university. Using this funding, she has also worked collaboratively with UWF Design Team members to design a number of state-of-the art technology products, including STEPS, The Lesson Architect™; PlanRight™; and TeacherReady™. Dr. Pilcher continues to an active community member in the greater Pensacola region. In particular, she initiated the Pensacola Hometown Learning Community in partnership with the City of Pensacola and the Escambia County School District.

Research Associate and Instructor: Kimberly Thomas, Ed.S.

Kimberly Thomas has a B.S. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, a M.Ed. in Reading Education, and an Ed.S. in Education Leadership. She is continuing coursework in the doctoral program at the University of West Florida. Kimberly is certified in Elementary Education, Reading, and Educational Leadership. Kimberly has served as an Elementary School Teacher, Reading Coach, and Reading First Grant Coordinator. As the Reading First Grant Coordinator, she served as a resource for students, teachers, and parents in 13 schools. Most of her work has been in the area of reading where she has co-presented at the state and international conferences in reading. She has received Certificates of Recognition in Academic and Achievement and Leadership in reading education. Kimberly has facilitated Reading Endorsement courses and served on the Florida Teacher Certification Examination Competency Board for reading education. Serving as a Professional Development Protocol Reviewer for the State of Florida, Kimberly conducts interviews, collects, reviews, and summarizes data to make judgments on the Protocol standards of school districts. Kimberly’s current position is a Research Associate at the Institute for Innovative Community Learning. She instructs students in the TeacherReady Program and is working to develop TeacherNotes Products. She also serves as an Internal Evaluator for The New Teacher Teach: Students Learn Academy.

Program Mentor: Katie Tener, B.S.

Katie received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of West Florida in Spring 1997.  Energized by the college atmosphere, she began her career with the following fall semester. In September 2006, she joined the Institute for Innovative Community Learning as the Office Administrator.  Her extensive knowledge of the TeacherReady™ program and special ability to communicate easily and effectively with the students made her the ideal candidate for Program Mentor. As Program Mentor, she begins working with perspective students as they enter the program and continues until their goal of becoming a professionally certified teacher in the state of Florida has been achieved. She is the primary contact when completing required paperwork, making payments for tuition, and assisting with questions or concerns about the program or curricula. Her work is not only with the students enrolled in the program but with the faculty, as well. She meets with the faculty regularly during each unit to discuss student’s progress, feedback from students, and any changes that should be addressed.