The ݮý College of Education prides itself on its culture of caring and belonging and its family-like environment. But for some EdTerps, that feeling of family is a bit more literal. Here are the stories of nine families that are proud to boast multiple EdTerpsݮýincluding spouses, siblings, grandparents, parents and childrenݮýamong the collegeݮýs faculty, staff, students and alums.
Colleen (Moore) Eccles ݮý07, M.Ed. ݮý08
Jane Mooney McCarl ݮý52
Why they became EdTerps: Coming from a family of educators, both Jane and her granddaughter Colleen always wanted to teach. Jane added, ݮýI loved the ݮý because I grew up at the foot of the university.ݮý
How UMD prepared them for their careers: Colleenݮýs yearlong internship through the masterݮýs degree in curriculum and instruction with certification (MCERT) program helped her ݮýgrow as an educator.ݮý It even led to a full-time job when the middle school where she interned offered her a position. She became a National Board-certified teacher and is now an induction coach supporting new teachers in Prince Georgeݮýs County.
Jane taught elementary school in Prince Georgeݮýs County and Baltimore. She left teaching after having children but volunteered in her kidsݮý schools, where she developed a sixth grade accelerated reading program. Of her years at UMD, she said, ݮýI grew up in a small, sheltered community. The ݮý widened my circle tremendously.ݮý
Fondest UMD memories: Jane was very active on campus and became the first woman on the Terrapin Club Board of Directors. ݮýMy grandma is often the first woman because she doesnݮýt take no for an answer,ݮý Colleen explained. Colleen remembers the excitement of the womenݮýs basketball team winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I championship in 2006 and then candidate Barack Obama visiting campus in 2008.
Sweetest family tradition: Jane invited her first grade class to her wedding in 1952, and Colleen and her husband, who met as middle school teachers, followed her example. More than 50 students attended their wedding in 2012, and the student orchestra provided the music.
Gloria Chin Quee '00, business manager
Tiffany Coates ݮý14, scheduling coordinator
Why they became EdTerps: Tiffany joined the UMD staff in 2016 and the College of Education in 2020. Gloria, who had been working at UMD since 2008, began looking for a way to join her daughter at the college. ݮýTiffany was always telling me how wonderful it was, and I thought, ݮýI want to be there,ݮýݮý said Gloria. In 2022, she became an EdTerp.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: ݮýI like knowing where my child is, that I can go down the hallway and stick my head in her office,ݮý said Gloria. Tiffany retorted, ݮýShe just likes to show up for our snacks.ݮý
The most challenging thing: ݮýTiffanyݮýs quiet, and Iݮým not,ݮý said Gloria ݮýI think sheݮýs used to it, but maybe itݮýs a little embarrassing because her mom is animated.ݮý
Why they love being EdTerps: For both, itݮýs the culture of the college that shines. Gloria said, ݮýThe leadership here and the people make our community great.ݮý
Favorite spots on campus: Tiffany enjoys attending performances at the Hoff Theater, and Gloria loves her office, decorated in ݮýTerps colorsݮý (red and gold).
How theyݮýre transforming education for good: Both are essential to keeping the college running, from Tiffanyݮýs work scheduling classes and events, to Gloriaݮýs work handling payroll and human resources. ݮýI try to do my job the best way I can to help make sure everyone else can do theirs,ݮý said Tiffany.
Alison Jovanovic ݮý98, principal faculty specialist
Mckinley Jovanovic ݮý28, secondary education/history major
Why they became EdTerps: As an EdTerp alum, Alisonݮýa former social studies teacherݮýwas excited to return to UMD as a field supervisor in 2010 and a faculty member in 2012. Her daughter, Mckinley, who will be a fifth-generation teacher in her family, recently decided to become an educator after gaining teaching experience through a leadership program.
Alison was careful to let Mckinley make her own career and college decisions. ݮýYears ago, I said I thought sheݮýd make a great teacher, but I had not said much beyond that,ݮý she said. She was surprised when McKinley chose to follow in her footsteps in social studies education, and she was thrilled when Mckinley chose UMD.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: Mckinley sometimes studies in Alisonݮýs office, and they meet up for lunch. ݮýI really am friends with my mom, and Iݮým excited to have her as both a support system and an expert,ݮý said Mckinley.
The most challenging thing: One logistical challenge is avoiding potential conflicts of interest. Alison oversees the internship experience for undergraduates specializing in social studies education, so Mckinley will pursue the Integrated Masterݮýs Certification Program.
Why they love being EdTerps: Alison appreciates the collegeݮýs social justice values and the opportunity to teach future social studies educators how to develop civically minded students. In her first semester, Mckinley is enjoying attending EdTerps events and building connections with the community.
Laura Mahalingappa, associate professor
Nihat Polat, chair and professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership
How they met: The couple met through English language teaching in the country of Georgia, 25 years ago. Nihat, originally from Turkey, attended a presentation Laura, an American, gave about vocabulary teaching strategies. ݮýNative speakers were a rare commodity,ݮý Nihat explained, so he recruited Laura to become an English instructor at his university.
Why they became EdTerps: After serving as faculty members at Duquesne University and Texas State University, they joined UMD in 2022. They were drawn to the college because of its reputation and because it has a rare applied linguistics doctoral program.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: Being married to a research partner gives ideas lots of time to brew. ݮýWe recently published a paper that we crafted on a two-hour car drive,ݮý said Nihat. Another advantage is coordinating schedules to juggle work and parenting.
The most challenging thing: ݮýSometimes people may see us as a single person, but we donݮýt always agree with each other,ݮý Laura said.
Why they love being EdTerps: ݮýOur people are the number one source of energy, enthusiasm and happiness for me,ݮý said Nihat. ݮýI love the vibrancy in our research, partnerships and collaborations.ݮý
Favorite spots on campus: For both, itݮýs the Benjamin Building courtyard. Laura likes the garden, and Nihat enjoys playing soccer there with other EdTerps on Wednesdays.
How theyݮýre transforming education for good: In one recent example, they ran a college essay writing workshop for high school students of color. ݮýIt wasnݮýt just about writing; it was about self discovery,ݮý said Laura.
Jannah and Muhammad Fusenig, Ph.D. students in educational psychology
Why they became EdTerps: After enrolling in 2019 to follow her passion for cognitive science, Jannah began trying to get her brother to join her because the program was ݮýso up his alley.ݮý Muhammad said, ݮýAfter years of being whittled down, she finally convinced meݮý to enroll in 2023. Jannah studies multimedia learning; Muhammad researches artificial intelligence in education.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: Jannah takes on the big sister role and passes on tips, and both give each other feedback. ݮýI donݮýt know anyone else that will sit me down at midnight and say, ݮýI like what youݮýre doing,ݮý or ݮýLet me say this with love, but this is a hot mess,ݮýݮý said Muhammad. ݮýThereݮýs brutal honesty that I appreciate.ݮý
The most challenging thing: ݮýIݮým sure Muhammad gets annoyed because every time we meet someone new, I say, ݮýThis is my little brother!ݮýݮý said Jannah.
Why they love being EdTerps: Muhammad admires that the college is ݮýforward-thinking and willing to embrace change,ݮý while Jannah enjoys opportunities to teach undergraduate courses and pursue her own research.
Favorite spots on campus: Jannah has set a goal to explore work spaces in every building on campus this year; her current favorite is McKeldin Library. Muhammad likes the Benjamin Buildingݮýs Student Lounge, where he grabs snacks from the EdTerps Pantry and takes occasional naps.
Amira Edwards ݮý25, elementary education major
Jade Edwards ݮý24, masterݮýs student in curriculum and instruction, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages specialization
Why they became EdTerps: Fraternal twins Jade and Amira grew up playing school and visiting their grandmotherݮýs high school classroom. In high school, they earned 60 college credits through UMDݮýs Middle College Teacher Preparation Program, and they enrolled as elementary education majors in 2022.
The twinsݮý dad attended UMD, and Jade always wanted to be a Terp (ݮýfor me, it was always ݮý, ݮý, ݮý,ݮý) but Amira ݮýwas trying to be differentݮý and thought she might attend another school. ݮýBut deep down I knew I loved ݮý,ݮý she said. Their younger sisters, Kamryn ݮý27 and Britne ݮý27, are also fraternal twins and UMD students.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: For two years, Amira and Jade were roommates; they still live in adjacent apartment buildings. They also interned in the same elementary school. As for being at UMD with their little sisters, Amira said the best part is ݮýseeing them grow and being their two mothers on campus.ݮý Last year, Jade, Amira and their sister Kamryn were all UMD cheerleaders, and the four sisters often get together for dinner.
The most challenging thing: ݮýFinding some alone time. We are constantly around one another, which is great, but can be a little overwhelming,ݮý explained Jade.
Why they love being EdTerps: Both appreciate the supportive faculty and staff. Thatݮýs what convinced Jade to stay for graduate school. ݮýI thought, ݮýI canݮýt leave ݮý. This is such a great school,ݮý she said.
Adelaide Sudbrink ݮý25, early childhood education/early childhood special education major
Kurt Sudbrink, assistant dean for development
Why they become EdTerps: Kurt joined the college in 2015 after working in fundraising for schools and universities. ݮýIݮým pretty passionate about education,ݮý he said, noting that his father was also an EdTerp. Adelaide always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but her dad gave her a not-so-subtle nudge to choose UMD. For Christmas during her senior year of high school, Kurt gifted her a UMD sweatshirt.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: ݮýIf Iݮým having a rough day, I can go talk to my dad and feel better,ݮý said Adelaide. When Kurt works late, he invites Adelaide and her sister, Genevieve, also a UMD student, to grab dinner.
The most challenging thing: Maintaining professional distance can be tricky. ݮýMy dad and I are very close, but if weݮýre at events together, I canݮýt talk to him the same way I talk to him at home,ݮý explained Adelaide. Kurt added, ݮýIݮýve worked hard to keep myself out of Adelaideݮýs accomplishments. Iݮýve wanted to keep space there.ݮý
How theyݮýre transforming education for good: For Adelaide, itݮýs by supporting first-year and transfer students at her job in the collegeݮýs Office of Student Services. For Kurt, itݮýs by connecting the college to the resources it needs to do its work.
Rossina Zamora Liu ݮý98, assistant professor
William Ming Liu M.A. ݮý95, Ph.D. ݮý00, chair and professor, Department of Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education
How they met: Rossina, then a UMD undergraduate, joined efforts that then doctoral student Will was leading to establish an Asian American studies program.
Why they became EdTerps: The couple spent 18 years in Iowa City and served on the University of Iowaݮýs faculty but felt a strong desire to raise their daughter near family and in a racially diverse community. Rossina is from ݮý, and when a department chair position opened in 2018, they jumped at the chance to return to UMD.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: ݮýThereݮýs something precious and beautiful about being able to walk into the building together, teach and do our work, and then walk out together and talk about how our day was,ݮý explained Will.
The most challenging thing: Setting boundaries between work and personal life is important to both. They sometimes talk about their researchݮýsuch as their forthcoming book on white supremacy and white privilegeݮýwhen walking their dogs. But mostly, they schedule formal meetings with each other for in-depth, work-related conversations.
Why they love being EdTerps: ݮýAbsolutely the community. It is one of the best places to work but also to exist,ݮý said Rossina.
How theyݮýre transforming education for good: For Rossina, itݮýs by ݮýchallenging systemic racism within education, uplifting the perspectives of communities of Color and forging cross-racial solidarity.ݮý Will feels privileged to have been part of launching the Disability Studies minor, TerpsEXCEED program and Intergroup Dialogue Training Center.
Sue Bredekamp ݮý72, M.A. ݮý76, Ph.D. ݮý85
Victoria (Vicki) Thompson ݮý70
Sue spoke to the College of Education on behalf of her sister and herself a few days before Vicki passed away from complications from non-Hodgkinݮýs lymphoma in August.
How UMD prepared them for their careers: Sisters Sue and Vicki both studied English and education, which equipped them for their work as bestselling writers and educators.
The author of 54 historical fiction novels, including mysteries and romances, Vicki honed her writing skills at UMD, studying English and secondary education. Her books were nominated for multiple awards, and she taught a course on writing popular fiction at Seton Hill University for two decades.
Before she was a pioneer in early childhood education and author of some of the most influential publications in the field, Sue was an English major who took a few education classes her senior year. One was an early childhood education course with Professor Carol Seefeldt, who inspired Sueݮýs passion for the field and became her mentor through her graduate studies and dissertation in early childhood education. ݮýMentorship makes all the difference,ݮý said Sue. ݮýShe connected me to the career that changed my trajectory as a human being and as a professional.ݮý One of Sueݮýs proudest accomplishments is leading development and administration of an accreditation system for childcare and preschool programs at the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Favorite spot on campus ݮýThe Center for Young Children is spectacular. I learn so much every time I go there,ݮý said Sue.
