Her academic background is in the domain of Educational Psychology with a focus on the nature of learning and learners, the characteristics of effective teaching, and the contextual factors that influence the teaching and learning process. She has worked in the field of educator preparation for 19 years and her research agenda has been designed to strengthen the preparation of prospective teachers and improve the outcomes of P-20 education across rural contexts. She has used her research findings to inform her undergraduate and graduate courses as well as to help address tangible needs of students, teachers, and teacher educators at state, national, and international levels.