Experience and Credentials

For more than three decades, I've dedicated my career to making Latin accessible, engaging, and transformative for students at every level.

My experience spans public schools, private academies, online programs, homeschool settings, and one-on-one tutoring—giving me deep understanding of how Latin works in different educational contexts and with diverse learners.

  • Master of Education in Latin
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies
    Latin Language and Literature Concentration | Minor in English
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro
    Summa Cum Laude | Phi Beta Kappa | North Carolina Teaching Fellow

    Salem Academy
    Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • In 1994, I launched North Carolina's first elementary public school Latin program at Murphey Traditional Academy in Greensboro. What began as an innovative experiment became a model for elementary Latin instruction across the state and beyond.

    During this work, I:

    • Developed original curriculum for teaching Latin to elementary students

    • Created literacy intervention programs using Latin instruction

    • Designed and coordinated a school-based literacy center for at-risk students

    • Recruited, trained, and supervised community volunteers as tutors

    • Developed a program using Latin instruction to tutor at-risk African-American boys in reading

    This work was documented in The Classical Journal, providing a framework other schools could follow for implementing elementary Latin programs.

    Teaching Across All Levels

    Over my career, I've taught Latin to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in diverse settings:

    • Public school classrooms (elementary, middle, and high school)

    • Online and virtual instruction (pioneering distance learning before it was common)

    • Homeschool programs and co-ops

    • Classical academies

    • Individual tutoring for students needing specialized support

    I've worked with thousands of students, adapting my approach to meet learners where they are—whether they're five-year-olds encountering Latin for the first time or high school students preparing for college-level work.

  • Throughout my career, I've served in leadership roles and pursued continuous professional growth:

    • Mentored beginning teachers in English and Latin departments

    • Served on school leadership teams and curriculum committees

    • Served as faculty advisor for North Carolina Junior Classical League

    • Became an early adopter of online Latin instruction, developing effective strategies for distance learning

    • Participated in professional development through the North Carolina Teacher Academy and Center for Creative Leadership

  • Guilford County Schools Teacher of the Year Finalist
    County-wide recognition of teaching excellence

    Murphey Traditional Academy Teacher of the Year
    Selected by colleagues and administration for outstanding contributions

    National Paideia Center Grant
    Awarded funding to establish innovative school-based literacy center

    Phi Beta Kappa
    The nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society

    Student Excellence Award, UNCG
    Recognizing outstanding academic achievement and leadership

    North Carolina Teaching Fellow
    Competitive scholarship awarded to top students pursuing teaching careers

  • Published Scholar

    "Lingua Latina Liberis: Four Models for Latin in the Elementary School"
    Thomas Sienkewicz with Alice Mulberry, Patrice Reaves, Elizabeth Kann and Barbara Bell
    Classical Journal 99 (2003/04) 301-312
    Reissued in cplForum On-Line 1 (2004)

    This peer-reviewed publication documents the success of elementary Latin programs and provides a model for other schools implementing early Latin instruction.

    Conference Presentations

    "Achieving Literacy Through the Study of Latin"
    Classical Association of Middle West and South Conference
    University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (2000)

    "The Paideia Process: A Path to Literacy"
    National Paideia Conference
    Koury Convention Center, Greensboro, NC (2000)

    "Helping Your Child Achieve Literacy: Techniques to Use at Home"
    Parent Workshop at Murphey Traditional Academy (2000)

  • Teaching Certification:
    North Carolina K-12 Latin Teaching Certification

    Professional Memberships:

    • American Classical League

    • North Carolina Classical Association

    • Classical Association of Middle West and South

    • Elementary Teachers of Classics

What This Experience Means for You

Whether you're a homeschool family, a school administrator, or a student seeking individualized instruction, my depth of experience means I can adapt to your specific needs. I've taught in nearly every educational setting imaginable, worked with students of all ages and ability levels, and developed expertise in making Latin accessible and engaging for diverse learners.

I bring not just decades of teaching experience, but a track record of innovation, published scholarship, recognition for excellence, and genuine passion for helping students discover what Latin can do.

Let's discuss how my experience can benefit your student or school.

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"Out of old books, in good faith, cometh all this new science that men learn."
— Geoffrey Chaucer, The Assembly of Fowls