The University of Maryland 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 EdTerps–including spouses, siblings, grandparents, parents and children–among the college’s faculty, staff, students and alums.
Colleen (Moore) Eccles ’07, M.Ed. ’08
Jane Mooney McCarl ’52
Why they became EdTerps: Coming from a family of educators, both Jane and her granddaughter Colleen always wanted to teach. Jane added, “I loved the University of Maryland because I grew up at the foot of the university.”
How UMD prepared them for their careers: Colleen’s yearlong internship through the master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with certification (MCERT) program helped her “grow as an educator.” 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 George’s County.
Jane taught elementary school in Prince George’s County and Baltimore. She left teaching after having children but volunteered in her kids’ schools, where she developed a sixth grade accelerated reading program. Of her years at UMD, she said, “I grew up in a small, sheltered community. The University of Maryland widened my circle tremendously.”
Fondest UMD memories: Jane was very active on campus and became the first woman on the Terrapin Club Board of Directors. “My grandma is often the first woman because she doesn’t take no for an answer,” Colleen explained. Colleen remembers the excitement of the women’s 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 ’14, 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. “Tiffany was always telling me how wonderful it was, and I thought, ‘I want to be there,’” said Gloria. In 2022, she became an EdTerp.
The best thing about being EdTerps together: “I like knowing where my child is, that I can go down the hallway and stick my head in her office,” said Gloria. Tiffany retorted, “She just likes to show up for our snacks.”
The most challenging thing: “Tiffany’s quiet, and I’m not,” said Gloria “I think she’s used to it, but maybe it’s a little embarrassing because her mom is animated.”
Why they love being EdTerps: For both, it’s the culture of the college that shines. Gloria said, “The leadership here and the people make our community great.”
Favorite spots on campus: Tiffany enjoys attending performances at the Hoff Theater, and Gloria loves her office, decorated in “Terps colors” (red and gold).
How they’re transforming education for good: Both are essential to keeping the college running, from Tiffany’s work scheduling classes and events, to Gloria’s work handling payroll and human resources. “I try to do my job the best way I can to help make sure everyone else can do theirs,” said Tiffany.
Alison Jovanovic ’98, principal faculty specialist
Mckinley Jovanovic ’28, secondary education/history major
Why they became EdTerps: As an EdTerp alum, Alison–a former social studies teacher–was 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. “Years ago, I said I thought she’d make a great teacher, but I had not said much beyond that,” 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 Alison’s office, and they meet up for lunch. “I really am friends with my mom, and I’m excited to have her as both a support system and an expert,” 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 Master’s Certification Program.
Why they love being EdTerps: Alison appreciates the college’s 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. “Native speakers were a rare commodity,” 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. “We recently published a paper that we crafted on a two-hour car drive,” said Nihat. Another advantage is coordinating schedules to juggle work and parenting.
The most challenging thing: “Sometimes people may see us as a single person, but we don’t always agree with each other,” Laura said.
Why they love being EdTerps: “Our people are the number one source of energy, enthusiasm and happiness for me,” said Nihat. “I love the vibrancy in our research, partnerships and collaborations.”
Favorite spots on campus: For both, it’s the Benjamin Building courtyard. Laura likes the garden, and Nihat enjoys playing soccer there with other EdTerps on Wednesdays.
How they’re transforming education for good: In one recent example, they ran a college essay writing workshop for high school students of color. “It wasn’t just about writing; it was about self discovery,” 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 “so up his alley.” Muhammad said, “After years of being whittled down, she finally convinced me” 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. “I don’t know anyone else that will sit me down at midnight and say, ‘I like what you’re doing,’ or ‘Let me say this with love, but this is a hot mess,’” said Muhammad. “There’s brutal honesty that I appreciate.”
The most challenging thing: “I’m sure Muhammad gets annoyed because every time we meet someone new, I say, ‘This is my little brother!’” said Jannah.
Why they love being EdTerps: Muhammad admires that the college is “forward-thinking and willing to embrace change,” 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 Building’s Student Lounge, where he grabs snacks from the EdTerps Pantry and takes occasional naps.
Amira Edwards ’25, elementary education major
Jade Edwards ’24, master’s 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 grandmother’s high school classroom. In high school, they earned 60 college credits through UMD’s Middle College Teacher Preparation Program, and they enrolled as elementary education majors in 2022.
The twins’ dad attended UMD, and Jade always wanted to be a Terp (“for me, it was always Maryland, Maryland, Maryland,”) but Amira “was trying to be different” and thought she might attend another school. “But deep down I knew I loved Maryland,” she said. Their younger sisters, Kamryn ’27 and Britne ’27, 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 “seeing them grow and being their two mothers on campus.” 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: “Finding some alone time. We are constantly around one another, which is great, but can be a little overwhelming,” explained Jade.
Why they love being EdTerps: Both appreciate the supportive faculty and staff. That’s what convinced Jade to stay for graduate school. “I thought, ‘I can’t leave Maryland. This is such a great school,” she said.
Adelaide Sudbrink ’25, 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. “I’m pretty passionate about education,” 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: “If I’m having a rough day, I can go talk to my dad and feel better,” 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. “My dad and I are very close, but if we’re at events together, I can’t talk to him the same way I talk to him at home,” explained Adelaide. Kurt added, “I’ve worked hard to keep myself out of Adelaide’s accomplishments. I’ve wanted to keep space there.”
How they’re transforming education for good: For Adelaide, it’s by supporting first-year and transfer students at her job in the college’s Office of Student Services. For Kurt, it’s by connecting the college to the resources it needs to do its work.
Rossina Zamora Liu ’98, assistant professor
William Ming Liu M.A. ’95, Ph.D. ’00, 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 Iowa’s faculty but felt a strong desire to raise their daughter near family and in a racially diverse community. Rossina is from Maryland, 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: “There’s 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,” explained Will.
The most challenging thing: Setting boundaries between work and personal life is important to both. They sometimes talk about their research–such as their forthcoming book on white supremacy and white privilege–when walking their dogs. But mostly, they schedule formal meetings with each other for in-depth, work-related conversations.
Why they love being EdTerps: “Absolutely the community. It is one of the best places to work but also to exist,” said Rossina.
How they’re transforming education for good: For Rossina, it’s by “challenging systemic racism within education, uplifting the perspectives of communities of Color and forging cross-racial solidarity.” Will feels privileged to have been part of launching the Disability Studies minor, TerpsEXCEED program and Intergroup Dialogue Training Center.
Sue Bredekamp ’72, M.A. ’76, Ph.D. ’85
Victoria (Vicki) Thompson ’70
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-Hodgkin’s 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 Sue’s passion for the field and became her mentor through her graduate studies and dissertation in early childhood education. “Mentorship makes all the difference,” said Sue. “She connected me to the career that changed my trajectory as a human being and as a professional.” One of Sue’s 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 “The Center for Young Children is spectacular. I learn so much every time I go there,” said Sue.
