Have you ever been curious about the person lecturing at the front of the classroom? In “Professor Spotlight,” we reach out to UNCW

professors to learn more about these individuals teaching us every day. Stay tuned to see if any of your professors pop up!

NAME: Lisa Brown Buchanan

POSITION: Associate Professor of Elementary Social Studies Education

DEPARTMENT: Elementary, Early Childhood, Middle Grades, Literacy, and Special Education in the Watson College of Education

What is your hometown?

Burlington, North Carolina

When did you come to Wilmington?

2012

What was your undergraduate degree in?

B.S. in Elementary Education and B.A. in English

Where did you get your undergraduate degree?

The University of North Carolina Greensboro

What is your favorite thing about Wilmington?

So many opportunities for being outdoors in the beautiful weather

Where is your favorite place to eat in Wilmington?

Indochine, La Brasserie [du Soleil]

What is your favorite song?

Anything by The Avett Brothers

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Watson College of Education; the building’s architecture and students/faculty energy are inspiring

What is your favorite movie or TV show?

“Parenthood,” Netflix series

What do you think is the most interesting part of your field of study?

Being able to merge my teaching, research, and service

What is the last book you read?

“Daring Greatly,” by Brene Brown

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An elementary teacher

What are your unique hobbies or talents?

My “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus” game is STRONG.

What do you wish you knew more about?

History—I am constantly learning about things I never knew and learning more about topics all of the time.

What is your dream destination?

Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia—I have a lot of plans for the next few decades of travel!

What is something on your bucket list?

To see my child(ren) navigate life as kind and thriving adults

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their life?

Rock a sweet baby to sleep

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?

Non-Tangible: communicating with others; Tangible: coffee

Would you rather get up early or stay up late?

Definitely an early riser

What advice can you give to students about life?

You can tell a lot about a person’s character in where they leave their shopping cart.