About

Tiffany S. Aaron is an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in the College of Education at the University of Florida. Before joining the university, she was a postdoctoral associate at the University of Virginia. Dr. Aaron received her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy with a graduate certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies from the University of Georgia in 2019. In addition, she holds a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University. Dr. Aaron's research focuses on gender and race in educational leadership, turnaround and sustained improvement leadership, and district preparation and support for principals in chronically underperforming contexts. Her scholarly examines the equity-centered practices leaders of color implement to lessen the impact of systemic inequalities to initiate and sustain increases in student achievement. Dr. Aaron has established a national and international presence through collaborations, presentations, and publications. She has contributed to grant projects with the Robertson Foundation and the Technical College System of Georgia. In addition, Dr. Aaron has served as a high school social studies teacher and a professional learning consultant in K-12 school districts.

Education

• Ph.D. 2019 - University of Georgia, Educational Administration and Policy
• Graduate Certificate 2019 - University of Georgia, Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies
• M.S. 2015 - Valdosta State University, Marriage and Family Therapy
• B.A. 2010 - University of Georgia, History
• Social Science Instruction 6-12 Certification - Florida Department of Education

Professional Appointments

• 2018- Present Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society-UGA Graduate Chapter President 2018-2019
• 2016-2018 Clarke County Mentor Program
• 2016-2018 UGA Lifelong Learning Association Vice President
• 2015- Current University Council of Education Administration (UCEA), member
• 2015- Present American Educational Research Association (AERA), member
• 2013-2015 Hospice of South Georgia Grief Camp Counselor
• 2013-2015 South Georgia Farmworker Health Project, Participant

Activities and Honors

• 2017-2019 University Council on Educational Administration Jackson Scholars Program Participant
• 10/2017 Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy, Student Travel 
Award for University Council for Education Administration Conference in Denver, CO
• 10/2018 Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy, Student Travel 
Award for University Council for Education Administration Conference in Houston, Ts
• 2017 Bruce Scholarship Recipient, University of Georgia
• 2015 Graduate Assistant of the Year Nominee, Valdosta State University

Selected Publications

Books / Book Chapters

• Peters-Hawkins, A. & Aaron, T. (2021). How to exercise moral leadership in the current social and political climate. In J.S. Brooks & A. Heffernan, A. (Eds.), The school leadership survival guide: What to do when things go wrong, how to learn from mistakes, and why you should prepare for the worst. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Presentations

• Aaron, T., Meyers, C. (2022). Effectuating systems change to increase educational equity: Reorganizing and de-siloing district leaders to support school improvement in a suburban district. Paper to be presented at the University Council for Educational Administration, Seattle, WA.
• Meyers, C., Aaron, T., Hitt, D., & VanGronigen, B. (2022). Poetry not in motion: A study of principals’ reflections on implementing school improvement plans. Paper presented at the American Education Research Association, San Diego, CA.
• Aaron, T., Meyers, C., Hitt, D., & VanGronigen, B. (2021). Principals’ perspectives on the shift to short-cycle school improvement planning. Paper presented at the University Council of Educational Administration, Columbus, OH.
• deMarrais, K., Williams, S., McKinson, K., Herron, B., Sanders, C. G., & Aaron, T. (2018). Narratives of adult education students in Georgia: Reader’s theatre. Paper presented at the Conference on Adult Basic Education (COABE), Phoenix, AZ.
• Sanders, C., Aaron, T., & Freeman, M. (2018). Giving hope direction: The transformational potential of adult education following life-altering events. Paper presented at the Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults, Sheffield, England.
• Aaron, T. (2018). Black women elementary principals purposefully serving their students: Reflections from the field. Paper presented at University Council of Education Administration Convention, Houston, TX.
• Aaron, T. (2018). Black women's successful leadership: Turning around low-performing schools. Dissertation presentation at University Council of Education Administration Convention, Houston, TX.
• Aaron, T. (2018). Concerns of novice principals: How a district-based preparation program changed to address novice principals’ concerns over time. Roundtable presentation at University Council of Education Administration Convention Graduate Student Summit, Houston, TX.
• Aaron, T. (2017). African American and Female: Perceptions of School Leadership. Paper presented at University Council of Education Administration Convention Graduate Student Summit, Denver, CO.
• Aaron, T., Fields, J., Johnson, S., & Howard, T. (2014) Exploring Gender Differences: Understanding Expectations of Gender Roles. Poster presented at Valdosta State University’s Annual Regional Research Conference, Valdosta, GA.

Other Publications

• Aaron, T.S., Meyers, C., Hitt, D. & VanGronigen, B. (under review). Principals’ perspectives on the shift to short-cycle school improvement planning.
• Meyers, C., Aaron, T.S., Hitt, D., & VanGronigen (under review). Poetry not in motion: A study of principals’ reflections on implementing school improvement plans
• Aaron, T.S. (2019). Black women: Perceptions and enactments of leadership. Journal of School Leadership. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052684619871020
• Aaron, T. (2017). Dreaming despite despair. Qualitative Report, 22(5), 1251.
• Aaron, T. (2021). Finding her way: A new principal navigates leading an instructional coaching program.
• Aaron, T. (2021). Culturally responsive leadership: One principal’s commitment to championing inclusivity and battling oppression.
• Aaron, T. (2021). Leading to disrupt the status quo: One principal’s journey towards developing an equity lens.
• Zepeda, S.J., Aaron, T., & Alkaabi, A. (2017). Analysis of the peer coaching program. Winder, GA: Barrow County Schools
• Sanders, C., Aaron, T., & Freeman, M. (2018). Giving hope direction: The transformational potential of adult education following life-altering events. Paper presented at the Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults, Sheffield, England.