K-5 Math Specialists
Elizabeth Hughes
Elizabeth Hughes currently serves as a K-2 Math Specialist at AMSTI-UAH. Elizabeth’s background in education consists of teaching at the elementary level. She has served time with Huntsville City Schools System as a 4th and 5th-grade mathematics lead teacher, a 3rd-grade mathematics lead teacher, and most recently a 2nd-grade lead teacher. While there, she supported new teachers in mathematics while serving as one of the district's PLC lead teachers, as well as her schools Positive Behaviors Supports and Interventions Coach. Elizabeth prides herself on her experience with serving students from rural and high poverty areas. In 2019, she was honored as a Teacher of the Year and Huntsville City Schools district-wide Change Maker. Elizabeth is a member of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, the Alabama Council for Teachers of Mathematics, and NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics Education.
Beth Balch
Beth is a K-2 Math Specialist for AMSTI-UAH. Her diverse professional background includes Marketing/Graphic Design, Elementary Education, as well as Instructional Design and Technology. Beth is an ISTE Certified Educator and has supported teachers in developing pedagogical practices that support the effective integration of technology in K-12 classrooms. As an elementary classroom teacher, she was awarded the John Frank Parker Making a Difference Award for the Hartselle City Schools system. She is a member of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, Alabama Mathematics Leadership Alliance, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the International Society for Technology in Education.
Melissa Campbell
Melissa Campbell is currently a Mathematics Specialist at AMSTI-UAH for grades 3 through 5. Most recently, she taught 4th grade mathematics, science, and Alabama History in the Fort Payne City School System. While there, she served as a mentor teacher for mathematics and as the 4th grade representative to the district's Mathematics Vertical Leadership Team. She was honored as a Teacher of the Year, and twice honored by the VFW as Dekalb County's Social Studies Elementary Educator of the Year.
Lisa McDonough
Lisa McDonough is currently a 3-5 Mathematics Specialist at AMSTI-UAH. She served as a K-4
Math Coach with Fort Payne City Schools before joining AMSTI-UAH. She is a member of
the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, Alabama Council of Teachers of
Mathematics, and serves as acting secretary of Alabama Mathematics Leadership Alliance.
Denise Porch
Denise Porch is currently serving as a 3-5 Mathematics Specialist at AMSTI-UAH. Denise’s background in education consists of teaching at the secondary level, administration at the elementary level, mathematics coaching at the primary and elementary levels, and receiving National Board Certification. Denise is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, and is a board member of the Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Rochelle Cantrell
Rochelle Cantrell is currently serving as a 3-5 Mathematics Specialist at AMSTI-UAH. She taught third and fifth grade for a combined duration of eleven years in Arab City Schools. While there, she served as a grade level representative to the district's Instructional Leadership Team and Problem Solving Team. She has a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership. She was twice honored as a VFW National Citizenship Elementary Educator of the Year in Marshall County. Rochelle is a member of the Alabama Council Teachers of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics.
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Ellen Benefield
Ellen Benefield is currently a K-5 Mathematics Specialist at AMSTI-UAH. Ellen’s background in education consists of teaching 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade with the Fort Payne City School System. While teaching 3rd and 4th grade, she was a representative of the district’s Mathematical Vertical Leadership Team. Ellen is a previous recipient of a grant from the Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She used “Ozobots: Have Math in Your Path” to implement Ozobots and technology into mathematics in her 3rd grade classroom. Most recently, Ellen served as an AMSTI TIR Math Coach at Wills Valley Elementary School in Fort Payne. She is a member of the Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics.
K-5 Science Specialists
Cayce Perry
Cayce is the K-2 Science Specialist for AMSTI-UAH. She has been in education for 18 years teaching Pre-K, 2nd and 3rd grades in Lincoln County, Tennessee as well as 2nd and 4th grades in Madison County, Alabama. She has also served as a Student Teacher Supervisor for Middle Tennessee State University and Athens State University. She has served as grade level lead for the Building Leadership Team, school representative for the Instructional Leadership Team and was a presenter at the National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference. Cayce is a member of the Alabama Science Teachers Association and the National Science Teaching Association. She holds a Master’s Degree with an Instructional Leadership Certification.
Shundra Morris
Shundra is the 3rd-5th Grade Science Specialist for AMSTI-UAH. Shundra taught 3rd grade for 23 years in Decatur City Schools. She is a governing board member for the AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center. She is a member of the Alabama Science Teacher Association and of the National Science Teacher Association. She is also a Common Sense Certified Educator.