Ms. Lawton graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2002 with a Bachelors of Science in Communication Studies. She has lived in Bloomington for 8 years.

She began working in the Educational Studies office in January of 2004. Ms. Lawton, reporting to the Director of Teacher Education,  serves as an ISBE liaison to the department regarding certification changes. She is responsible for tracking student progress, advising students in relation to certification,  processing certification applications, and reviewing alumni requests for certification in other states.

Some of her additional responsibilities include compiling and submitting data for state reporting, maintaining the department webpage, coordinating background checks, working with multiple departments, and providing support to the faculty.

Ms. Lawton has a special interest in technology and researching ways new technologies may help the office function more effectively.

Ms. Lawton is the Convener of the Child Care Committee. She is very excited about the new child care center that will be opening in the fall of 2010.