Dr. Samantha Astor

Dr. Samantha Zeiser Astor is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania, but has called the South home for more than 17 years. She received a BA from Albright College (Reading, PA) in English, Communications, and Photography in 2000. She then received an MEd in Early Childhood Education (2004) and PhD in Elementary Education (2015) from the University of Georgia (Athens, GA).  Her experience in the classroom included teaching grades Pre-K through 5, along with curriculum development in social studies, curriculum alignment, and extensive work mentoring practicing teachers and graduate level pre-professional teacher candidates.

Dr. Astor’s research interests focus on creating positive student teaching experiences and fostering successful mentoring relationships at the college and professional levels.  In her free time she loves listening to This American Life and running in our lovely town.  She and her family love exploring the nearby mountains and having a good adventure.

Samantha married Maryville College history professor Dr. Aaron Astor in 2012.  She happily became stepmom to his sons Henry, a Maryville High School Senior, and Ted, an MHS Sophomore.  Both boys are academically driven and hard working, but most importantly, they are kind, wonderful young men and big brothers.  Samantha and Aaron have a son James, who loves trains and who is having all sorts of fun in Kindergarten this year.  They also have twin daughters, Sadie and Lillian, who love ballet and tap, and having their 3 big brothers (and Daddy) wrapped around their fingers.