Staff Spotlight: Michelle Denney

1. What is your role in the College of Education? 

I am the Professional Development Manager for the Alabama Afterschool Quality Standards Project, a collaboration between the Truman Pierce Institute and Alabama Department of Human Resources. My main responsibilities center around creating and providing professional development for educators to help them create welcoming, safe environments and provide quality programming for Alabama youth from preschool through high school.

2. How long have you worked at Auburn?

I have been working at Auburn for almost four and a half years now. I started working at the Truman Pierce Institute as a TES employee in December 2020 and transitioned to my full-time role in October 2021.

3. What are some new initiatives you are working on now?

I have been working to expand our professional development catalog to better address current needs and essential topics, while extending our reach to more Alabama educators through strategic collaborations with local, regional, and state childcare and afterschool organizations.

4. What is a part of your job you are especially proud of?

I have learned so much during my shift from the classroom to the professional development side of education and love having the chance to blend the knowledge I gained from personal experience with the new knowledge I am gaining through research. Of the trainings I have developed, many of my favorites are focused on building the confidence of early childhood and elementary teachers to successfully facilitate tinkering activities and quality STEM challenges with their students – recognizing this as critical for fostering STEM mindsets and attitudes that will benefit students in the long term.

5. What is a fun fact about yourself?

While I was working toward my bachelor’s degree in mathematics here at Auburn, I performed in several musicals at Telfair Peet Theater and danced in the pregame show of Super Bowl XXI.