Alicia Moore always knew she wanted to teach at a university, but she never dreamed it would happen so soon.

Nearing the end of her first year as an elementary school principal in Austin, she decided to apply for an opening in the education department at Southwestern. "My plan was to remain a principal for at least three years before seriously pursuing a faculty position. But I thought it would be beneficial to go through the process, not imagining I might actually be selected. I was ecstatic when they made the offer but torn because of the commitment I made to my school."

In the end, the opportunity to influence future teachers was too good to refuse. Having just completed her first semester at Southwestern, she is very happy with her decision. "Sometimes you have a plan, but God may have a different one for you. And that's what I must follow. Teaching is, in some ways, more gratifying now because I'm affecting the lives of adults who will continue to affect the lives of children."

As the Center for the Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT) liaison for Annie Purl Elementary School, Moore enjoys being around young children while working with her students in the field-based program. There, she can utilize her teaching specializations, which include early childhood, elementary and special education.

"I believe teachers meet children in education on a pathway and accompany them on their journey. I'm trying to instill that philosophy in my students. My biggest challenge is that I've never done this before, so right now I'm learning right along with them."

Moore was born and raised just a few miles down the road in Austin. She credits her father as her inspiration because "he always believed in me no matter what I did in life." She stayed close to home by attending Huston-Tillotson College, where she captained the cheerleading squad, joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and earned a degree in elementary education.

She went on to teach pre-kindergarten in Austin for one year before attending graduate school at the University of Texas. She earned a masters and doctorate in special education along with a public school certification of supervision in mid-management. While working on her doctorate, she served as the assistant director for an alternative certification program, implementing and coordinating training for teacher candidates.

After completing her education, Moore accepted an administrative internship with the Area I superintendent for the Austin Independent School District. She moved on to the Texas Education Agency as the special education compliance monitor for one year before leaving for the principal position.

Moore and her spouse, Ron, live in Austin with their dog, Charlie. She also has a stepson, Fred, who lives in Houston. Moore is still active with the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority's graduate chapter and enjoys weightlifting for exercise.

"In the future, I'd like to publish a book about race and education," she says. "I also hope to be an educational motivational speaker. For now, though, I'm concentrating on crafting my teaching and becoming the best professor I can be."