Department of Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development

Dr. Betsy Rosenbalm is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Media, Career Studies, and Leadership Development Department, in the Master's in School Administration program. She also serves as the Co-Director of the NC Principal Fellows Program at Appalachian State University. She previously served as the Director of Partnerships & Engagement in the Reich College of Education, as well as the Regional Director of App State's North Carolina New Teacher Support Program. Betsy believes in nurturing authentic relationships and trust throughout her region to effectively support and celebrate all educators!

Betsy began her career at App State as a North Carolina New Teacher Support Coach in 2017. Prior to that, she served as a P-12 director of exceptional children, a school administrator, and an elementary teacher and instructional coach. Currently, she is focused on collaborative educator pipeline programs to recruit and retain quality teachers and school leaders in Northwest North Carolina and across the state.

Dr. Rosenbalm was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and the 2013 North Carolina Northwest Region Principal of the Year. She is a National Board Certified Teacher with degrees in elementary education (2001), reading education (2005), school administration (2008), and exceptional children's support (2014, 2022) from Appalachian State. She also holds a higher education teaching certificate from the Harvard University Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. Betsy earned an Educational Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University in 2012. In 2025, Dr. Rosenbalm won the Reich College of Education "Outstanding Leader of the Year" Award.

Rosenbalm’s research interests include leadership effectiveness; school climate and culture; educator pipeline initiatives; innovative partnerships and practices; improving teacher working conditions; beginning teacher/beginning leader support; asset-based coaching and mentoring; special education advocacy and reform; universal design for learning; differentiation for all learners; inclusive practices and mindsets; student and educator engagement; teacher recruitment and retention; equitable literacy programs and opportunities; work-life balance for educators; teacher and leader efficacy; teacher and leader autonomy; and appreciative inquiry as a research model.

Connect with Dr. Rosenbalm on LinkedIn.

Southeastern US Regional Presentations

• Hasson, J., Money, K., & Rosenbalm, B., Southeastern Association of School-University Partnerships (SASUP) Conference, “The 3 Cs of Principal Preparation Partnerships”, Oct. 21, 2023
• Money, K. & Rosenbalm, B., Southeastern Association of School-University Partnerships, “Partnering Around the Pipeline”, Oct. 19, 2024

National Presentations

• Hasson, J., Money, K., and Rosenbalm, B., National Association of Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) Conference, “Bringing Neighbors to the Table: The Power of Facilitating a Regional Community of Leaders.”, March 24, 2023
• Conetta, P., Hodge, E., Edwards, E., Rosenbalm, B., & Best, L., National Association of Teacher Education (ATE) Conference, “The Impact of Comprehensive University-Based Induction and Support”, March 28, 2023

Selected Publications

• Money, K., Hasson, J. & Rosenbalm, B. (2022). Riding the Waves of Change: Supporting Teacher Leadership and Resilience. NAPDS, 15 (2), 47-53.
• Walker, K., Rosenbalm, B., Hall, A., Meacham, M., Hill, E., Kirschner, M., & Mason, M. (2020, May 05). Perspective: Coaching during COVID-19 with NC New Teacher Support Program's innovative supports. Retrieved from https://www.ednc.org/perspective-coaching-during-covid-19-with-nc-new-teacher-support-programs-innovative-supports/
• Reeder, H. & Rosenbalm, B. (2020, October 22). Uninterrupted Support in an Interrupted Semester. Retrieved from https://edpreplab.org/news/uninterrupted-support-interrupted-semester 
• Reeder, H. & Rosenbalm, B. (2020, November 20). From Pivoting to Disrupting the Status Quo. Retrieved from https://edpreplab.org/news/pivoting-disrupting-status-quo

Dr. Rosenbalm's Curriculum Vitae