Heather Childress-Custer supports the self-directed professional learning of middle school teachers in northwestern North Carolina through the Empowering Teacher Learning Project at Appalachian State University.

She holds North Carolina Department of Public Instruction licensure in Academically/Intellectually Gifted (K-12), Middle Grades Language Arts (6-9), and English (9-12), as well as National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification in Early Adolescence/English Language Arts. Heather’s experience in the classroom spans two decades working with students at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. 

Professionally, Heather thrives on developing curriculum; reading young adult literature; and building meaningful connections with students, colleagues, and collaborators. Her most recent research considers place-based writing as a resistance strategy, and her most recent conference presentations are:

• “Exploring Teachers’ Initial Perceptions of Self-Directed Learning within a Teacher-Directed Professional Learning Program” -- co-presented at the annual symposium of the International Society for Self-Directed Learning, February  2024

• "Finding the Stars in the Darkness of the Prescribed Curriculum" -- co-presented at North Carolina English Teacher Association Fall Conference, Nov. 2023

• "My Here, My Home: Place-Based Writing in a Plural World" -- presented at the Appalachian Mountains Writing Project, June 2023

Outside of work, Heather is happiest outdoors: she thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2022 and currently is section-hiking North Carolina’s Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail. Heather also enjoys gardening and canning; visiting art museums and breweries; attending dance performances and live music events; and volunteering in her community.