Dr. Janie Burney Dr. Janie Burney is an associate professor in the department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Tennessee Extension. Since her appointment in 1989, she has given statewide leadership to nutrition and food safety educational programs. Her primary responsibilities include providing training for Extension agents in nutrition and food safety, developing nutrition and food safety curricula and publications for county Extension programs, and obtaining external funds for program implementation.
In 2006, Dr. Burney implemented a statewide initiative, Safe Food for Tennessee, a food safety education program for consumers. Through this initiative, Extension agents deliver food safety education to adults and youth through workshops, newspaper articles, radio programs, exhibits, publications, and newsletters. Her role in this project will be to help provide curriculum training to Extension agents and develop educational materials that agents can use in conjunction with this project to bring food safety education to communities, including project materials for 4-H food safety programs.
Dr. Mary Jane Connelly Dr. Mary Jane Connelly is a professor in the Instructional Technology and Educational Studies department at the University of Tennessee. She is widely recognized as an expert in School Law and Administration and Curriculum Development and served for many years as a middle school teacher and administrator. On this project, she will supervise the Curriculum Improvement Panel, which will assess and refine the curriculum both before implementation and after each evaluation.
Email: Phone: 865-974-6147
Dr. Frances Ann Draughon Dr. Frances Ann Draughon is a professor in the University of Tennessee, Department of Food Science and Technology and co-director of the University of Tennessee Food Safety Center of Excellence. She has a long history of food safety research and community outreach and her areas of research include: Food Microbiology, Food Toxicology, Food Protection and Biosecurity. On this project, Dr. Draughon will provide oversight, administer project expenses, and be the primary source for food safety expertise.
Peggy King Peggy King, Project Director of GEAR UP Gradkids project at the University of Tennessee, plans and administers the day-to-day activities of GEAR UP Gradkids. Her experience includes administration of educational programs for other federal agencies, as well as middle school and high school instruction.
As a member of the Food Safety in the Classroom research team, she is responsible for aligning the science curriculum with state and national standards, ensuring the instructional quality and efficacy of lessons and activities, and working with participating Tennessee schools to address questions and concerns.
Dr. Harry Richards Dr. Harry Richards is a molecular microbiologist whose research experience includes molecular and biochemical detection methodologies of foodborne pathogens in environmental samples. His diverse experience in biological sciences includes research on genetic engineering, molecular characterization of bacteria, and genetically modified food safety. He has previously partnered with middle school teachers to develop and implement innovative scientific lab experiments in the classroom. Dr. Richards helped develop the science and mathematics curriculum for this project and will assist the project coordinator during trainings and implementations. Phone: 865.599.4553 Email:
Dr. Gary Skolits Dr. Gary Skolits is the director of the Institute for Assessment and Evaluation and an Assistant Professor for Assessment and Evaluation in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling at the University of Tennessee. He has served in higher education for over 22 years in the areas of strategic planning, academic administration, institutional research, assessment, and evaluation. For this project, Dr. Skolits will direct the formative and summative evaluations of the project, including the pilot test.
Phone: 865.974.2777 Fax: 865.974.6848 Email:
Jennifer Richards Jennifer Richards is an experienced classroom teacher with five years service in grades seven and eight. Previously, she worked with a team of teachers to develop an integrated, project-based curriculum targeted at below grade level and at-risk students. This program has shown positive results in raising student test scores and building student self-esteem and responsibility. She is the principal designer of the integrated food safety curriculum used in this project and is the coordinator for training workshops and classroom implementations. Phone: 865.946.1089 Email:
Ashley Pedigo Ashley Pedigo is currently enrolled in the Masters of Science program in Food Microbiology at UT. Future goals include obtaining a Ph.D. in Food Microbiology and post–doctoral study in epidemiology. Ashley’s ultimate aspirations are to integrate laboratory research, epidemiology, and public health education as it applies to food safety in either a government environment, such as the CDC, state health department, or academic environment as a university faculty member.
As a graduate research assistant on the Food Safety in the Classroom project, she will participate in teacher training, provide food safety and microbiology expertise, and assist in managing pilot test implementations.
Email: Phone: (865)-974-6142
Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 August 2006 )
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