Dr. Hairrell is a lifetime educator who has served all levels (PreK to professional school) for over 30 years now. She holds a Ph.D in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M University at College Station, and currently serves as the Director of Academic Support Services there in the School of Medicine. Her research interests include reading comprehension, vocabulary development, active learning strategies, learning differences. Having spent many years teaching in the public school system and working in higher education research, she is passionate about helping students achieve success through data- and performance-driven assessment, which is especially important to help medical students become effective and efficient learners.