Alexandra Bitton-Bailey, Ph.D.
Director
Alexandra discovered her passion for teaching in 1998 as a graduate student instructor. She has been teaching ever since. She joined the Center for Teaching Excellence in 2015. Since then, she has worked closely to support excellence in teaching and learning across the University of Florida. She works on a wide variety of initiatives and projects including the Passport to Great Teaching, Pathways to Online Teaching Excellence, Interface, First Year Faculty Teaching Academy, Faculty Learning Communities, the Teaching Beyond the Podium Podcast Series, and the Inspired Teaching Newsletter. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Higher Education Administration, her M.A. in Romance Language Linguistics from the University of Florida, her M.S from Florida State University in Information and Library Science, and her B.A. in History and Anthropology from the University of Florida. Alexandra loves spending time with her family and friends, especially when cooking and sharing a great meal around the kitchen table. She also enjoys spending time soaking in nature while gardening, hiking, kayaking, or doing yoga. For Pathways to Online Teaching Excellence and Teaching Beyond the Podium podcast questions, or to schedule a teaching consultation, contact Alexandra.
John Jordi, Ph.D.
Instructional Assessment Coordinator
As a member of the Center for Teaching Excellence, Dr. Jordi is responsible for supporting university initiatives by overseeing the GatorEvals course evaluations, as well as developing and implementing projects related to learning analytics. When not at work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys playing tennis and golf. He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida, and his B.A. in History from the Pennsylvania State University. For student evaluation questions, contact John.
Zaina Sheets, Ed.D.
Operations Manager
Dr. Zaina Sheets is responsible for the coordination, creation and delivery of face-to-face and online workshops and materials for faculty and teaching assistant development. She also assists in the development and management of the center’s budget, hiring processes, project management, and marketing. During her free time, Zaina enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, or just being around the water. She also loves to dance, read a good novel or attend an athletic event, like Gator Football, Go Gators! Zaina earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Florida State University, her M.A.E. in Educational Technology from the University of Florida, and her B.F.A. in Creative Photography from the University of Florida. For event, workshop, and Passport to Great Teaching questions, contact Zaina.
Michael Barber, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Michael was thrilled to join the team at the Center for Teaching Excellence at UF in 2022. He is passionate about learning and teaching, and loves the synergy that he feels when a group gathers to discuss how to improve as learners and teachers. With over 25 years of teaching experience in higher education and a doctorate degree in educational psychology, Michael is always excited to share things he’s learning. He is on a mission to dismantle the paradigms that have made learning and teaching feel artificial and institutional rather than instinctive, social, experiential, and fun. Outside of work, he enjoys baking, DIY projects, and spending time with his family. For questions about faculty development or to schedule a teaching consultation, contact Michael.
Lupita Eyde-Tucker
Online Course Design Specialist
Lupita joined CTE in 2023 as part of the Online Course Quality Team, and recently transitioned to her current role as Faculty Academic Support Coordinator. She is the project manager and lead facilitator for CTE’s Great Online Course Series, manages CTE Awards series, coordinates CTE’s Academic Integrity initiatives and the Big Six FLC. Lupita holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Florida, and a B.A. in Business Economics from the University of South Carolina. A life-long writer and educator, since 1996 she has taught English and writing at every level from elementary to undergrad, both online and face to face. Lupita is an award-winning poet and translator, and when she is not designing courses and thinking about Backward Design, she spends as much time as possible outside enjoying Florida and practicing black and white portrait photography with her 50-year-old Nikon FTN film cameras. Contact Lupita.
Jennifer Parker, Ed.D.
Faculty Development Coordinator
Jennifer is the Faculty Professional Development Coordinator in UF’s Center for Teaching Excellence. With over 30 years of experience in PK20 education, Jennifer has been a classroom teacher, librarian, central office administrator, and county-wide consultant for educational technology and school data and improvement. Her credentials include teaching in the Masters of Learning, Design, and Technology program, facilitating Adaptive Schools and Cognitive Coaching, and consulting on ISTE Educator Certification. She has spent the last 15 years as the statewide facilitator of workshops that teach educators how to scale up teaching strategies and use data to inform instruction. Jennifer is excited to share her expertise in interactive online learning, instructional coaching, data and assessment, and best practice instructional strategies for digital age teaching and learning. She is passionate about helping teachers grow their professional practice and recently co-authored the book, “Making the Move with EdTech: 10 Strategies to Scale Up Your In-Person, Hybrid, and Remote Learning”. To schedule a teaching consultation, contact Jennifer.
Paul Shortt
Communications Specialist
Paul is the newest member of the Center for Teaching Excellence at UF. Over the last decade he has worked as an arts administrator, teaching artist, and New Media art professor. Paul maintains the teach.edu website, designs publications and graphics, and produces the Teaching Beyond the Podium Podcast. He has a BFA in painting from the Kansas City Arts Institute and an MFA in New Media art from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Outside of CTE, he is an accomplished artist focused on artist made books, videos and signs. For issues or questions with the website please contact Paul.