NC3 has some impressive Master Instructors in our ranks and this Instructor Spotlight series aims to highlight the incredibly talented individuals who work with us. We’ll be featuring a new interview in our monthly newsletters, here on our website, and on our social media pages each month.

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Check out our Q&A session below to learn more about Amanda, her professional journey to becoming an instructor, her favorite part of being an NC3 Master Instructor, and more!

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Describe your path to becoming an instructor, what you teach and how long you have been teaching?

My journey into education was shaped by the inspiring teachers who left a lasting impression on my life during my years as a student. Their passion and dedication sparked my own desire to become an educator from an early age. As a child, I would eagerly transform our home into a makeshift classroom during my free time, and “play teacher”. 

Upon graduating high school, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in business education at Virginia Tech. Immediately after graduation, I took my first teaching role as a middle school career and technical education teacher. I later moved back home and taught CTE courses at the high school level, in the disciplines of business, family and consumer sciences, and marketing. During this time, I also earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a second master’s degree in Information Technology.

For a period, I stepped away from the classroom and worked in a training and management role for a global consulting firm. However, the pull of teaching proved strong, and I eventually returned to education, taking a full-time faculty position at Patrick & Henry Community College. For the past 5 years, I have been providing instruction to students in Industry 4.0, Information Technology, and App Development with Swift as part of my role at the college.

Throughout my career, I have deeply valued the opportunity to guide and empower students, leveraging my educational background and real-world experience. Teaching affords me the privilege of making a meaningful impact, and I find great fulfillment in helping others develop the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their goals.

Describe something you are proud and passionate about that your school does?

I am incredibly proud of Patrick & Henry’s unwavering commitment to student success and their dedication to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to secure family-sustaining careers. P&HCC actively builds strong partnerships, such as those with NC3, that open valuable opportunities for our students. Through these partnerships, students can gain industry-recognized certifications, technical skills, and real-world experiences that prepare them directly for the workforce. P&HCC’s commitment to innovation and responsiveness to business needs ensures that we are continually evolving to meet the demands of today’s job market. By actively engaging with business and industry leaders, the college can adapt its programs to reflect the latest innovations and technologies, ultimately creating a capable and job-ready workforce. I am proud to be a part of an institution that is so dedicated to its students’ futures, helping them achieve meaningful, sustainable careers that benefit not only them but also our community.

What is your favorite part of Train-the-Trainers and being a Master Instructor?

I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the Master Instructor Team with NC3. The thing I love most about being a Master Instructor is the opportunity to meet and network with so many wonderful educators and business partners at the Train-the-Trainer events.

With every single event, I walk away feeling inspired and energized. It’s incredibly rewarding to connect with other passionate instructors and leaders, share best practices, and collaborate on ways to better serve our students and communities.

Beyond networking, I also deeply value the chance to continuously expand my own teaching skills and industry knowledge. The Train-the-Trainer events provide an invaluable platform for learning new training techniques, discovering innovative technologies and resources, and gaining fresh perspectives from peers. I not only have the opportunity to deepen my learning with new frameworks in Swift UI, but I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in the development of Festo’s Advanced Integration Validation. This allows me to continuously enhance the quality and effectiveness of my own training sessions.

Overall, being a Master Instructor for NC3 has been an immensely fulfilling experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, both through my own instruction and by supporting and empowering other skilled educators and leaders in their important work.

What hobbies or other things do you do outside of school and NC3?

I am a mom of four, and I enjoy spending every available opportunity together with my family. I cherish every moment I get to spend with my family, whether it’s supporting them and cheering them on from the stands in their various extracurricular activities, exploring new places together with our love of travel, or simply enjoying quality time at home on our family farm.

What’s a piece of advice for students or that you would give to your younger self or other educators?

My advice is to embrace the mindset of being a lifelong learner. The world around us is changing at an incredibly rapid pace, and the ability to adapt, grow, and continuously learn will be key to achieving both personal and professional growth. Whether it’s developing new skills, staying updated with current trends, or simply keeping an open mind, our desire to learn should never stop.

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For information on Patrick & Henry Community College, please visit: https://www.patrickhenry.edu/

For information on NC3’s Partnership with Apple’s App Development with Swift, please visit: https://developer.apple.com/learn/

For information on NC3’s Partner Festo, please visit: https://www.nc3.net/partner-festo/

For information on NC3’s Train-the-Trainer program, please visit www.nc3.net/training