Dr. Curtis is a native of Alexandria, Virginia and an alumna of Mt. Vernon High School (class of ’89).  Upon graduating high school she moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she completed an Associate’s Degree in Fashion Design from Bauder College (class of ’91).  After returning to the DC area, Dr. Curtis was accepted to Virginia Tech where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education (class of ‘94).  She later earned her Masters of Science degree in Career and Technical Education from Virginia Tech (class of ’99) and her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from George Mason University (class of ’05).  While working on her doctorate, Dr. Curtis assisted with editing and writing several books and publications pertaining to play, early learning, language and literacy, teacher education and social/emotional development of young children as the graduate assistant of Joan P. Isenberg, EdD, Associate Dean for Outreach and Professional Development.  She completed an internship at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) under Marylou Hyson, PhD, Associate Executive Director for Professional Development. Dr. Curtis was a member of The Lexicon Team for Early Childhood Standards and Assessments while interning at NAEYC.  The Lexicon Team was a partnership of early childhood professionals from across the nation who collaborated with executives from The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to decide on a common language used in assessing early learners.

Dr. Curtis began her career with Loudoun County Public Schools in 1995 teaching Family and Consumer Science courses at Broad Run High School and JL Simpson Middle School.  Dr. Curtis was a charter faculty member of Potomac Falls High School in 1997; she accepted a position at Woodgrove High School in 2011.  

Dr. Curtis earned National Board Certification in 2008 and recertification in 2017, a distinction currently held by less than 5% of teachers across the nation. She currently serves as a Candidate Support Provider to teachers actively working toward their National Board Certification.  She also is a mentor to new teachers and works with colleagues from across the county to provide professional development to beginning teachers at the Beginning Teacher Institute every August, November and March.  In addition to supporting teachers, she also serves on committees where Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum standards are written for the Virginia Department of Education.

Dr. Curtis taught for George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development in the Advanced Studies of Teaching and Learning (ASTL) Master’s Program from 2002-2005.  She is currently an adjunct professor for Shenandoah University in the School of Education and Human Development where she teaches graduate and post-graduate courses in the Department of Research and Social Analysis and and adjunct for Northern Virginia Community College in the Program of Child Development.

Dr. Curtis lives in Berryville, Virginia with her family.