Flowering Quince (Locally called “Japanese bush”) Chaenomeles photographed by Eddie Lunsford

When Eddie was still in high school he began his college studies at a nearby community college. He transferred to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Science Education and earn a teaching certificate. Eddie also completed two graduate degrees at WCU. He earned both a Master’s of Arts in Education and an Education Specialist degree in Secondary Education and Biology. Eventually he completed a doctoral degree focusing on Science Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Eddie has worked with students at practically every level of education in one way or another. During his earliest years as a teacher, he worked briefly in regional high schools teaching biology. He has also worked as a substitute teacher in elementary schools. While working as a supervisor for elementary and middle school mathematics and science teaching interns, Eddie got to experience middle school from an educator’s perspective. He has taught graduate students as well. Most of his teaching experience has taken place at the community college level. This population of students remains his favorite.

Because Mr. Lunsford has a wide range of academic interests, he has taught a variety of classes in community colleges over the years. Examples include general biology, basic chemistry, botany, zoology, pathophysiology, nature hiking, college study skills, general psychology, medical terminology, social psychology and developmental psychology. Most of his current teaching efforts are at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, North Carolina and focus on biology and anatomy and physiology. In addition to this, Eddie has also taught part time for three universities. He designed and taught on-line undergraduate and graduate courses in education for WCU. For Troy University in Troy, Alabama Eddie taught an on-line class in curriculum development for graduate students. In addition, he taught graduate and undergraduate Science Education courses at UT. In conjunction with this university, Eddie also designed and delivered workshops for science teachers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Teaching takes up a great deal of Eddie’s time but it is his life’s work. Apart from teaching, Eddie also enjoys writing, studying regional history, hiking, genealogy and growing native plants. He considers his home to be in Andrews, North Carolina but he lives part time in Sylva, North Carolina as well.