Paula Montgomery

Biographical Sketch Paula S. Montgomery, Ph.D. Associate Dean, College of Education University of Louisiana at Lafayette EDUCATION: University of Southwestern Louisiana, Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude), Social Studies Education, 1984 University of Southwestern Louisiana, Master of Education, Guidance and Counseling, 1991 University of Southern Mississippi, Masters +30, Educational Administration K-12, 1996 University of Southern Mississippi, Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership and Research, 1997 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES: Dr. Montgomery’s passion for education became evident after serving as a substitute teacher at 18 years old. She changed her major from Pre-Law to Secondary Social Studies Education and started teaching in Iberia Parish in January 1985. She is presently the Associate Dean of the College of Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She served Iberia Parish for 17 years in various capacities including Social Studies Teacher, Middle School Guidance Counselor, Middle School Assistant Principal and Principal of Hopkins Street Elementary. After receiving her doctorate in 1997, she served as an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Foundations and Leadership Department at UL Lafayette and in 2002 joined the department as a full-time faculty member. In 2004 and again in 2009, Dr. Montgomery headed the accreditation efforts (NCATE) for the college and it was awarded National Recognition. In 2005, she became the Department Head for EDFL and worked diligently with her team to expand the programs of the department including the revision of the Masters in Educational Leadership Degree and the development of the highly distinguished Doctor of Education Degree. She has also served as Master Trainer on the topic of school culture for the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and has traveled extensively helping school leaders to develop high-performance learning cultures. She continues to enjoy teaching and administration. Her philosophy is simple… Never Give Up on Your Dreams, Your Potential, nor Your Destiny! Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan!!! ORGANIZATIONS, SERVICE, HONORS: Dr. Montgomery is a proud member of the Research Association of Minority Professors (RAMP) and presently serves as the President Elect of this distinguished organization.She has received numerous awards including Outstanding African-American Leader in the New Iberia Community, Who’s Who Among American Educators, Outstanding Educator, Taft Institute for Educators Fellow, and National Endowment of the Humanities Fellow. She has served on a number of University Committees including the Graduate Council, University Mentor Program, Academic Advising Selection Committee, SACS – QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) Steering Committee, Outstanding Teacher Award Selection Committee and the UL Lafayette United Way Think Tank. She has served as the Vice President of Academics for the UL Lafayette College of Education Alumni Chapter and is the 2009 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. She is also the recipient of the 2009-2010 College of Education Outstanding Alumna Award. Dr. Montgomery has served as the recipient of the Kathy Authement Prouet/BORSF Memorial Professorship Award. She has also served two terms on the United Way of Acadiana Board of Directors and is the past Vice President of the Lafayette Parish Education Stakeholders Council. She was recently honored as a Commissioner for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in Washington, D.C.