Dr. Jayne Meyer earned her doctoral degree from The University of Alabama in 1970. She has taught at both high school and college levels in Illinois, Alabama and Oregon. Meyer worked at the Tuscaloosa County Schools central office for seven years, first in physical education and later in federal programs. She then moved on to work for the Alabama Department of Education. There, under contract through Montgomery County Schools, Meyer worked on the First-Year Teacher Pilot Program based at UAB. In 1975, she took a job with the Federal Programs Section of the State Department of Education. After five years, she transferred from Federal Programs to Teacher Education where she served as a Teacher Education Advisor. Meyer still holds this position, although her title has changed to director of the Office of Teaching and Leading. She has had the opportunity to work with six different State Department Superintendents while affiliated with the State Department of Education. She has also served on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and has recently been asked to help guide its transition to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Meyer has given some thought to retirement, but she says it does not seem as appealing as continuing to work in the exciting field of education.

As an educator and leader, Dr. Meyer spent more than 50 years shaping policies and professional practices for teacher educators, instructional support personnel, and educator preparation programs. Her experience in public education spans decades and traverses all levels of teaching, learning, and leading. A native of Homewood, Illinois, she made Alabama her home after completing her doctoral degree at The University of Alabama in 1970. She taught high school, first in Illinois, and then in Alabama, before gaining employment in the Tuscaloosa County (AL) Schools central office from 1966-1973. The move from classroom to the central office began her administrative professional experiences, first in physical education and then in federal programs.

From 1973 through 1975, Dr. Meyer worked for the Alabama Department of Education for the First-Year Teacher Pilot Program, a program designed to provide state-wide support to new teachers. After she moved from federal programs to teacher education in 1980, as “Teacher Education Adviser,” her title changed many times over the years as her position expanded and evolved. Before retirement in 2022, Dr. Meyer’s final role was Director for the Office of Teaching and Leading at the Alabama Department of Education. This comprehensive department encompassed educator assessment, certification, preparation, and recruitment/placement — all the areas which align with NASDTEC’s mission to provide leadership and support for the preparation, certification, ethical and professional practice, and professional development of educators.

During her distinguished career, Dr. Meyer managed her many responsibilities with grace and humility and was well known and respected throughout the country. Besides the positions detailed previously, she served in leadership roles in the Alabama Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (ASAHPERD) and NASDTEC. She also represented Alabama on numerous review teams, committees, and boards for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Certification/Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (NCATE/CAEP).