Spring 2004

New Faculty Consultants at the TRC

Michael Palmer and Deandra Little joined the TRC staff as Faculty Consultants in Fall 2003. Along with the other Faculty Consultants at the TRC, Michael and Deandra consult with faculty and teaching assistants about teaching, conduct TAPs and videotape consultations, and design and present a variety of workshops.

Michael Palmer
Born and raised in Wyoming, Michael Palmer obtained his B.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Following his graduate studies, Michael worked as a postdoctoral research associate, and later as a research scientist, in the Chemical Engineering Department at U.Va. His research efforts encompass computational exploration of environmentally and industrially important catalytic processes.

Michael has been teaching calculus for the U.Va. Applied Mathematics Department for several semesters now; most recently he taught Calculus I to first-year students. He also works closely with a local company designing and implementing experiential learning programs for corporate and academic clients. His teaching interests include active learning and adult learning. In addition to his other responsibilities at the TRC, Michael coordinates the August Teaching Workshop.

Deandra Little
Deandra Little hails from the Deep South. Born and raised in Alabama, she received a B.A. in English from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and a Ph.D. in English from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Most recently, Deandra was a full-time lecturer at Vanderbilt, where she taught a range of courses in the English Department and Women's Studies program. While at Vanderbilt, Deandra was involved with TA and faculty development on departmental, university, and national levels.

Her research interests include the intersections of gender, science and technology in 19th-century and contemporary American literature and culture, as well as teaching with visual images, effective uses of technology in the classroom, and cooperative learning. In addition to her other responsibilities at the TRC, Deandra coordinates the January Teaching Workshop, edits Teaching Concerns, and supervises departmental Writing Workshops.