After 35 years in education, Dr. Thorne is an advocate for arts-based learning as a key factor in student engagement, teacher renewal, and academic achievement. ln addition to preparing her students for post-secondary education, she leverages the power of theatre in professional development to revitalize teachers and promote arts-based instruction. While Dr. Thorne is passionate about promoting young people through the arts, her most rewarding roles are that of wife to Jim and mother of Joss, Jacey, Jasmine, and Jamie! Dr. Thorne received her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy from the University of Georgia.