Dr. Alvin Taylor
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor of Instructional Leadership Program
For starters, GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. That’s a whole bunch of words to say: we want to help kids — all kids — prepare to pursue their education after high school.
And there are a lot of kids in our communities who, despite having access to resources in schools, homes and communities, remain unprepared. The reasons are many: lack of family support, lack of academic preparedness, lack of knowledge of the process, financial challenges and even disabilities. Unfortunately, in many cases, the children facing the biggest children are those from traditionally underserved and under-resourced communities.
Associate Professor of Instructional Leadership Program
Dr. Taylor has over 30 years of experience working in both K-12 and Higher Education. He specializes in school law, residency of administrators and school finance. Prior to joining UM, Dr. Taylor served 26 years in education in the state of Mississippi, and retired as Superintendent of the Meridian Public School District in 2016.
Associate Professor of Elementary & Instructional Technology Programs Department Chair – Teaching, Leadership, and Technology
Dr. Raulston earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood, M.Ed. and Ed.S in Special Education with an emphasis in Gifted Education, and Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in Instructional Technology all from the University of Alabama. At the University of Montevallo, Dr. Raulston teaches in the Elementary, Secondary, and Instructional Technology programs. Previously, Dr. Raulston was a Gifted Education Specialist, Instructional Technology Specialist, and developed various trainings for educators.
Associate Professor & Coordinator of Instructional & Teacher Leadership
Program Coordinator – Instructional Leadership
Dr. Amy Samuels teaches in the Instructional Leadership and Teacher Leadership programs at the University of Montevallo. She earned her B.S. in Secondary Education Social Studies, with a minor in Black Studies, from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She earned both her M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida where she specialized in curriculum policy and development, Critical Race Theory, and practices for fostering equitable schools. Dr. Samuels’ research aligns with educational justice, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, and issues of race and racism.
Associate Professor of Secondary Programs
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Before arriving at University of Montevallo’s College of Education, Dr. Samuels previously taught in Baltimore and Tampa for more than 10 years in the social studies classroom. After earning his M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction/Social Science Education at the University of South Florida, Dr. Samuels joined the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Technology at UM. In addition to teaching courses on classroom management, diversity, literacy, and social justice, Dr. Samuels supervises teacher candidates in the Secondary Education Master’s Program.
Mrs. Abernathy is a native of Birmingham, AL. She brings over a decade of experience to the grant. Chrystal received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Tuskegee University. In 2014, she received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Montevallo. She has a background in secondary education, curriculum and instruction, and professional development and has worked for Birmingham City Schools, Shelby County Schools (Memphis, TN), and Jefferson County Schools. Mrs. Abernathy was granted a fellowship by the National Science Teachers’ Association in 2013 and was recognized for her “Outstanding Excellence as an Educator” in 2014 by the Birmingham City Schools District.
Education: I’m a 17 year veteran teacher of primary grades 6- 12 science and postsecondary courses. I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science and Wellness, Masters of Science in Secondary Education in Biology from Jacksonville State University and completed a certification in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama. Within the past year, I’ve gained my Ed.S. from the University of Montevallo in Instructional Leadership and Project Management Professional certificate from the University of Alabama.
Experience: During my tenure in education, I’ve had many opportunities to lead, collaborate and inspire others. I’ve served as a classroom teacher for grades 7-12 for 12 years instructing young students in life science, physical science disciplines and engineering. However, six of the twelve years I taught the Project Lead the Way Curriculum with emphasis on Automation and Robotics. My passion for STEM instruction led me to pursue a facilitator position with Project Lead The Way teaching Automation, Robotics and Design and Modeling to secondary educators around the country. In addition to teaching middle and secondary students, I was an adjunct instructor at Jefferson State Community College where I instructed Allied Health students in Biology 201 and 202. In Spring 2020, I transition from the classroom to instructional leadership. Soon after receiving my certificate, I accepted a district Instructional Coach /Administrator role with a Public Charter School System. In this role, I organized and facilitated summer and weekly professional development for the district, informally observing lessons to provide both in-the-moment and post-observation feedback for a teacher’s professional growth, and oversaw the STEM development of new curricula and updating existing ones to reflect current trends in subject matter.
In Fall of 2022, I joined the GEAR UP Jefferson County organization as the Associate Director of Postsecondary Programs. In the time since I joined the GUJC team, I have supported area facilitators, teachers, administrators, and partners in using data to improve student achievement on all levels, informally observe partner sessions to provide feedback, and organized and facilitated a residential, nonresidential and online summer college program to provide dual enrollment credit to over 2,500 students. In an attempt to get parents engaged with student success, I initiated the GUJC Parent Academy. The Parent Academy is a forum facilitated by local partners to equip parents with skills and resources to assist in preparing their students for postsecondary success. In addition to the Parent Academy, I formed an all match partnership with the Onion group to assist in 9 of the 13 cohort schools with workforce development skills. As an Associate Director, I’ve become an evangelist for the organization to further promote our objectives and goals within the community. In addition to promoting our objectives and goals, I have built strong relationships with local community partners, organizations, and Institutes of Higher Education which include Omega Bridge Builders, Forty-Thirty One Counseling, Onion Group, Lawson State Community College, Jefferson State Community College, University of North Alabama, and University of Montevallo.
In this position, I’ve gained critical skills to create lasting partnerships to improve teacher/school practices to have a positive impact on student awareness of undergraduate programs. I also possess strengths that include a deep understanding and skills of K-12 and postsecondary instruction, monitor success of grant initiatives, and maintain strong collaborative relationships with higher education institutions. I am extremely dedicated and passionate towards the success of the GEAR UP grant. My hope is that this grant will provide access to students and families and to close the opportunity gap among marginalized communities.
Tiffany Goldsmith Dukes is a resident of Birmingham, Alabama and a native of Montevallo, Alabama. Tiffany is an alumnus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned a BS from the School of Natural Science and Mathematics and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Dukes also attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she earned a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Health and Safety and an Instructional Leadership Certificate from the University of Montevallo. Prior to joining the GEAR UP Jefferson County team, Tiffany has spent over the last decade and a half teaching and creating curriculum for over 11 different courses in the field of scientific education for Birmingham City School and Miles College Upward bound. Throughout her tenure, she had the opportunity to serve in various positions such as: Science Department Chair, SREB Teacher Leader, Birmingham City Schools Mentor Teacher, Continuous Improvement Plan and Curriculum Leadership Team member, Hudson Alpha GREAT Scholar, UAB SUSME National Science Foundation Lesson Study team member and National Science Teacher Association Conference Delegate and Presenter. Mrs. Dukes enjoys being a part of the educational system and helping students achieve higher goals. Thus, she believes in the educational process and continues to educate herself in order that she may help others.
Rakia Hassell is the Manager of Communications and Public Relations for GEAR UP Jefferson County. She serves as the primary content creator for the grant’s branding, marketing, promotions, media, and community engagement.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Mass Communications – University of Montevallo
Jessica Cable Sanders is the GEAR UP Jefferson County Area Facilitator at Midfield High School and Pleasant Grove High School. She is a dynamic result-driven Educator/Administrator with a 10-year history of professionalism and achievement. She has demonstrated success in implementing programs to enrich student’s future collegiate and career endeavors. She has worked as a Workforce Development Specialist for the Onin Group to promote the West Alabama High School Ready To Work Initiative. Jessica also has experience as a certified Ready To Work Instructor for the Workforce Development department at Shelton State Community College. She has worked as a Middle and High School Life Science Teacher in Tuscaloosa City and County School Systems. She also served as an Upward Bound Science Teacher at Stillman College and Ready to Work Program Coordinator at Central High School. Jessica spent a year in Shanghai, China working for English First teaching English as a second language to Chinese students ages 3 -17. Ms. Cable graduated from Stillman College with a Bachelor’s in Biology. She is currently working on a Master’s of Art in Teaching. Jessica is the daughter of John and Deloris Cable, she has one older sibling Dr. Jason M. Cable.
Mr. Castleberry is a resident of Montevallo, Alabama, and a native of Attalla, Alabama. He is a graduate of Stillman College, where he earned a BA in Communications. He has been a Higher Education Professional for many years, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in School Counseling from The University of Montevallo. Mr. Castleberry is a tireless advocate for the youth of the State of Alabama, and a true believer in the benefits of education.
Tony is the area facilitator for Fultondale High School and Shades Valley High School.
Tony is a native of Marengo County Alabama but has lived in Birmingham for many years. He is the father of 6 and enjoy spending time with his family. Tony received his Associates Degree from Lawson State Community College in Office Administration and his bachelor’s degree from Faulkner University in Human Resources Management.
Tony has worked in various capacities in multiple schools in the Birmingham Area and he is the Owner/Director of Iron Sharpens Iron Mentoring Program, where he mentors 9th-12th grade young men in the Birmingham area. Tony is very active member in his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Mrs. Jackson is currently the area facilitator at Bessemer City High School.
Mrs. Jackson is a native of Miami, Florida, and has been living in Pelham, AL for several years. She has been married for twenty-two years and has an eleven-year-old daughter.
Mrs. Jackson has an Early Childhood Certification from Miami Dade Community College and a Bachelors in English from The Union Institute and University. She has taught in the Elementary, Middle, and High School settings for over sixteen years in both the Miami-Dade County Public School District as well as the Bessemer City Schools. Mrs. Jackson is the Owner/Executive Director of A Plus Learning Foundation a non-profit Afterschool and Tutoring Program serving the students and families in Bessemer, Midfield, Fairfield, and neighboring City and County Schools. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, crafting, interior designing, traveling, reading, and most importantly spending time and making memories with family.
Quanecia Richardson is the GEAR UP area facilitator for Pinson Valley High School. Ms. Richardson was born and raised in Opelika, Alabama. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Samford University, and Master of Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Kaplan University. Ms. Richardson previously worked in secondary education as the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at a private high school in Athens, GA. Later, Ms. Richardson pursued her career in higher education, serving as an Area Coordinator for housing at Samford University and Western Carolina University.
