On Friday August 13, 2021, family and friends celebrated a special achievement with Joyce as she joined her doctoral colleagues in their commencement ceremony at Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas. Joyce successfully completed the Educational Leadership programme offered through the College of Education at Texas A&M University, and was awarded the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Educational Administration.
Joyce served as an educator in American schools and colleges for 25 years as a classroom teacher, a campus principal, and a state examinations coach. As a certified Superintendent of Schools, she received training in Professional Development and Appraisal Systems and Instructional Leadership Development. Her other areas of expertise in education also include training and certification in Special Education and English as a Second Language.
With just one semester left to complete her doctoral dissertation, Joyce accepted an appointment as principal at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) in Anguilla from 2015-2018. This experience influenced her decision to add a new focus to her doctoral study and subsequent dissertation on Project-Based Learning (PBL).
Dr. Joyce is a proud alumni of The Valley Secondary School in Anguilla and holds a B.A. in Education from the University of South Florida, a M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University in Texarkana, and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University in Commerce. She attended her graduation ceremony in Texas on Friday – and returned to Anguilla on Saturday determined to use her skills and expertise in the field of education in service to Anguilla and the Caribbean region.
Joyce acknowledges that achieving this milestone would not have been possible without God’s help and the support of family, friends, and colleagues who provided loving assistance, gentle encouragement, and meaningful suggestions – and who kept her focused on her goals. She will forever be grateful. Upon reflection, she extends thanks to all of her students for the easy and difficult lessons they have learned together over the years. She will forever be humbled. A special acknowledgement is given to the participants in this study for which she will forever be thankful. She would also like to thank her major adviser and committee members for their scholarly, critical, and technical advice and will forever be respectful.
Joyce has dedicated this doctoral degree to her grandmother, Melvina Webster (1907–2011), whose dream was to become a teacher and who always believed that learning involves the active engagement of whatever senses are functional.
ongratulations, Dr. Joyce; we are excited for you and extremely proud of what you have accomplished!
