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