Education Faculty

Candice McQueen, Dean of the College of Education, Associate Professor of Education
B.S. (Lipscomb University), M.Ed. (Vanderbilt University), Ph.D. (The University of Texas)
candice.mcqueen@lipscomb.edu

Dr. McQueen taught in both private and public elementary and middle schools before coming to Lipscomb.  Her primary research and teaching interests are reading and writing methods and children’s literature.  Candice and her husband Andy have two children: Abigail and Henry.

Deborah Boyd, Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor of Education
B.A., M.A., Ed.S. (Middle Tennessee State University), Ed.D. (Tennessee State University)
deborah.boyd@lipscomb.edu

Dr. Boyd brings deep educational experience to Lipscomb, having served at the local, system and state level.  Her areas of interest include curriculum, assessment, educational leadership, and effective instruction. Her research interests include teachers of ELL students and teacher effectiveness.  Deborah and her husband Don have two daughters: Jennifer and Julie.

Monte Betz, Professor of Education
B.A. (Lipscomb University), M.A. (University of Akron), Ed.D. (Indiana University)
monte.betz@lipscomb.edu

Before coming to Lipscomb, Dr. Betz taught and served as an administrator in the public schools.  Special Education has been his research and teaching interest.  Monte and his wife Paula have two sons: Matthew and Phil.

Coby Davis, Manager of Curriculum Lab & Assistant Professor of Education
B.S. (Freed-Hardeman University), M.Ed. (Tennessee State University), Ed.D. (Trevecca Nazarene University)
coby.davis@lipscomb.edu

Before coming to Lipscomb, Dr. Davis taught in a public elementary school,  also serving as the school's webmaster, as well as a regional trainer for the National Science Foundation.  His areas of interest include math education and classroom management. Coby and his wife Sheerah have a daughter, Shelby Cathryn.

Junior L. High, Director of Undergraduate Studies & Associate Professor of Education
B.A. (Lipscomb University), M.Ed. (Middle Tennessee State University), Ed.D. (Trevecca Nazarene University)
junior.high@lipscomb.edu

Dr. High had 31 years of experience as an elementary teacher and principal prior to coming to Lipscomb.  His primary interests include school leadership and providing students with valuable experiences in student teaching preparing them for the classroom of tomorrow. He and his wife Donna have three sons, Brent, Chad, and Lance.

Keith Nikolaus,  Professor of Education
B.A. (Lipscomb University), M.Ed., Ed.D. (Tennessee State University)
keith.nikolaus@lipscomb.edu

Dr. Nikolaus has varied K-12 experience as a 6th grade teacher, a curriculum director, a study skills instructor, and, most recently, the Director of David Lipscomb Campus School.  His primary educational interests include leadership studies, classroom management,  learning techniques, and 21st century educational innovation and policy development.  Keith and his wife Sharon have two children: Shannon and Ryan.

Marcia Stewart, Professor of Education
B.A. (Lipscomb University), M.Ed., Ed.D. (Vanderbilt University)
marcia.stewart@lipscomb.edu

Dr. Stewart has taught students from preschool through fourth grade. She worked as a research assistant at Vanderbilt University, conducting research in Nashville elementary and middle schools.  Her professional interests include learning strategies, classroom applications of current brain research, and children’s literature. Marcia and her husband Doug have two children: Todd and Meredith.

Carrie Thornthwaite, Manager of Educational Technologies and Associate Professor of Education
A.B. (Wheaton College), M.Ed. (Trevecca Nazarene College), Ed.D. (Vanderbilt University)
carrie.thornthwaite@lipscomb.edu

Prior to coming to Lipscomb, Dr. T. taught physics and mathematics at the secondary level for thirteen years. Her area of interests includes both secondary education and the uses of current technologies to enhance learning.   Carrie and her husband Wil have three children: Alanna, Jennifer, and Geoff.

Laura Snyder, Adjunct professor
B.A. (Fisk University), M.Ed., Ed.S. (Vanderbilt University), Ed.D. (Tennessee State University)