Staff

AMSTI Staff

Sherrie Blackmon
Director, AMSTI/ASIM
shblackmon@troy.edu

Sherrie served AMSTI as an Elementary Math Specialist and Assistant Director before being promoted to Director in 2017.

Sherrie is a native of Red Level, Alabama and received both her bachelors and masters degrees from Troy University. Sherrie is married to Jeffrey and they have two children, Mackenzie and Cooper.

Hope Balkcom
Assistant Director, AMSTI
abalkcom@troy.edu

Hope served AMSTI as a Middle School Science Specialist for 8 years before being promoted to Assistant Director in 2017.

Hope loves to spend time with her husband and three children. Originally from Troy, Hope received her degrees from Troy University and the University of West Alabama.

Tekela Williams
AMSTI/ASIM Administrative Assistant
tlwilliams@troy.edu
334-670-5962

Tekela is the Administrative Assistant for AMSTI and ASIM. She is a mother of 3: Kordel, Khalil, and Kamryn.

Gail McCollough
Budget Specialist
gmccollough@troy.edu

Gail manages all budget and grant work for both AMSTI and ASIM.

Gail is married to Ronnie and they have four children and one grandchild.

Connie Dobson
Project Specialist
cdobson@troy.edu
334-808-6282

Connie joined AMSTI in 2017 after 15 years of service as a program coordinator for a local nonprofit. Connie brings her expertise in grant management to AMSTI and coordinates all STI PD and AIMS credit for Teacher training.

Connie is married to Neill and they have two children, McNeill and Laura. She received both her bachelors and masters degrees from Troy University.

"The beach is calling and I must go."

Sandy Owens
K-2 Math Specialist
stowens@troy.edu

Sandy has worked as a specialist for AMSTI since 2017. Prior to working with AMSTI, Sandy taught for over 25 years in the Crenshaw County School System.

Sandy is originally from Goshen, Alabama and received her degrees from Troy State University. She is married to Geoffrey and they have two children Heather (Richard) and Payton, as well as one grandchild, Mixon.

Jennifer Trott
3-5 Math Specialist
jtrott@troy.edu

Jennifer has worked as a specialist for AMSTI since 2017. Prior to working with AMSTI, Jennifer taught with Enterprise City Schools for 13 years. Jennifer has taught math and science in first grade, second grade, fourth grade, and sixth grade. She served as an AMSTI Science Trainer in July of 2017. Jennifer has a Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in teaching English to English Language Learners.

Jennifer has been married to Chad for 25 years. They have three children, Hayley (Trott) O’Neal and her husband Zack, and one son, Matthew.

Keri Flowers
6-12 Math Specialist
klflowers@troy.edu

Keri has worked as a specialist for AMSTI since 2015. Prior to working with AMSTI she taught high school in the Tuscaloosa area and through ACCESS Distance Learning. Keri also taught collegiate math courses for undergraduates and pre-service teachers.

Keri is originally from Jack, Alabama. She graduated from Troy University in 2010 with a bachelor's in Secondary Math Education and The University of Alabama in 2012 with a master's in Pure Mathematics.

Dawn Tice
K-2 Science Specialist
dtice@troy.edu

Dawn has worked as a specialist for AMSTI since 2017. Before joining the AMSTI team, she served as an elementary teacher at Enterprise City Schools for fifteen years.

She graduated from Troy University in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Later, she returned to Troy University and graduated in 2013 with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration.

Dawn lives in her hometown of Enterprise, Alabama and is married to Chuck Tice. They have three children, Koty, Emma, and Charley.

"Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world."

Denise Adams
3-5 Science Specialist
dbadams@troy.edu

Denise is a National Board Certified teacher and has been a specialist with AMSTI since 2013.

She and her husband David have four children and one grandson. Before returning to AMSTI in 2013, she taught 21 years in Troy City Schools and served as an Elementary Specialist one additional year with AMSTI from 2007-2008.

Tina Kanaley
3-5 Science Specialist
tkanaley@troy.edu

Tina has been a 3-5 Math and Science Specialist for AMSTI for 9 years. Prior to working at AMSTI, Tina taught 4th grade at her alma mater, Red Level Elementary School, for 16 years. She has a BS from Auburn University Montgomery and a master’s degree from Troy University.

Tina lives in Andalusia, Alabama with her husband Tom Kanaley. Tina has three children, two step children, and eight grandchildren.

Valerie Brownlee
6-8 Science Specialist
vbrownlee@troy.edu

Valerie joined the AMSTI Troy team in April of 2018! Valerie is a graduate of Straughn High School and Troy University where she obtained a degree in comprehensive science with a concentration in biology. Valerie has taught grades 5-8 and as of this summer will have completed both years of AMSTI training for 6, 7, and 8th grades.

Valerie is married to David and they have two children, Maddox and Hollyn, as well as a dog named Rusty.

When not teaching or training AMSTI Valerie enjoys being outdoors and spending time with family!

ASIM Staff

Dena Byars
ASIM Chemistry Specialist
dbyars@troy.edu

Gwyn Huggins
ASIM Biology Specialist
ghuggins@troy.edu

Bill Ossenfort
ASIM Physics Specialist
wossenfort@troy.edu

Warehouse Staff

Reggie Hicks
Warehouse Manager
rbhicks@troy.edu

Kevin Jacobs

Wesley Killingsworth

Daniel Ebarb