UA Inducts Five into College of Education Hall of Fame
- February 1, 2020
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Three Tuscaloosa residents, a rural educator, and a Methodist minister and education advocate are among the 2020 inductees of The University of Alabama College of Education’s Hall of Fame.
Marcia Burke
Dr. Marcia Burke has dedicated her life to improving the lives of Alabama children through education for the past 48 years. Dr. Burke started her career as an elementary teacher for Pike County Schools. This was followed by 15 years of teaching in the Tuscaloosa City School system where she taught gifted education, social studies, computer education, and English. While teaching, Dr. Burke continued her journey of lifelong education by earning multiple degrees and certificates from UA. The additional degrees and certificates opened the door for Dr. Burke to serve in leadership roles in both Tuscaloosa County and Tuscaloosa City Schools. Her positions included Principal, Alberta Elementary; Principal; Crestmont Elementary, Assistant Superintendent, Tuscaloosa County Schools; and Assistant Superintendent, Tuscaloosa City Schools.
After 34 years devoted to K-12 education, Dr. Burke retired to work as a consultant for Burke Enterprises, LLC where she assists systems with policy development, strategic planning, employee evaluation and HR services, professional development for faculty and staff, and grant evaluation and technical assistance. Dr. Burke’s clients include more than 64 Alabama school systems, The University of Alabama, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, and the Alabama Department of Commerce. Dr. Burke is a highly sought after in-service trainer and speaker. Organizations she has worked with include the Alabama Association of School Boards, Alabama Council of Leadership Development, Alabama State Department of Education, East Alabama Regional Inservice Center, Tuscaloosa Public Library, The University of Alabama College of Education, Council of Leaders of Alabama Schools, and numerous schools, local, state, and regional civic clubs, churches, and community groups.
Lee Freeman
With 40 years of experience in education, Freeman served in many roles at UA including program coordinator of elementary education, graduate faculty, instructor, and teacher-in-residence.
In the K-12 system, Dr. Freeman served as reading coach at Verner and Rock Quarry Elementary Schools in Tuscaloosa; curriculum coordinator and teacher at Rock Quarry Elementary School in Tuscaloosa; curriculum coordinator and multi-age grade teacher at Stafford Global Studies Center Magnet School in Tuscaloosa; teacher at Carrollton Elementary in Carrollton; teacher at Hambrick Junior High School in Houston, Texas; and teacher at Gordo Elementary School in Gordo.
Dr. Freeman does not stop teaching once our teachers have their own classrooms. Instead, he continues to mentor them, ensuring that teaching is at the cutting-edge of research. He has also published two articles and made three presentations about this program to share the research and practice with other universities who may want to emulate the great work at UA.
Michael Malone
Dr. Michael E. “Mike” Malone is a former university president who served as executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE).
Under his leadership at ACHE, the state’s unified budget recommendation was passed with the support of a unified and united higher education community. His leadership gained national attention for the state through his appointment to the American College board of directors. As head of ACHE, Dr. Malone represented higher education as chair of the Alabama Humanities Foundation Board, a trustee on the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Board, and as a member of the State Articulation and General Studies Committee.
His work history includes serving as president of Troy State University at Dothan and vice chancellor of the Troy State University System, as well as professor of educational leadership in Dothan from 1996-2002.
From 1989-1996, Malone served as the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, assistant professor of history and assistant professor of education leadership at Western Carolina University. He was director of admissions and assistant professor of educational leadership at Old Dominion University from 1981-1989. He served as the assistant dean of admission services, adjunct professor of behavioral studies, and lecturer in the College of Commerce and Business Administration at The University of Alabama from 1974-1981.
Theresa Snoddy
In 1968, Theresa graduated from Winston County High School as valedictorian. Theresa attended Walker College and earned an Associate in Science degree and then a bachelor’s degree in English and art education from The University of Alabama. She began her first year of teaching at Addison Elementary in Addison teaching Title I reading.
After moving to Auburn, she was hired as an elementary English teacher at Huguley Elementary School in Lanett, Alabama, where she taught for 12 years. During the years at Huguley, Theresa and a colleague co-wrote an elementary handwriting program that was piloted in a nearby school, under the auspices of Auburn University. Theresa earned her master’s degree in elementary education and began working on her education specialist degree.
In 1985, Theresa moved back to Double Springs. She taught English and Literature at Winston County High School. After that year, Theresa moved to Lynn School in Lynn for three years, where she taught sixth grade. She then taught at Double Springs Elementary for ten years.
Following her time teaching elementary school, Theresa taught English and Literature at Winston County High School. In 2002, Theresa earned National Board Certification, becoming the first teacher in the Winston County school system to do so. She has since helped other teachers working toward National Board Certification. Theresa was awarded the ALFA Winston County Teacher of the Year.
After retiring from teaching, Theresa worked very hard to help form the Winston County Arts Council, where she currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Board.
Karl Stegall
From his early childhood in rural west Alabama, Dr. Stegall has possessed a love for learning. Karl received his formal education at Livingston High School, The University of Alabama, Auburn University, and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.