Key earned her doctor of education in science education from the University of Houston. She currently serves as the director of middle school and secondary education programs at the University of Memphis. She has held the positions of the director of multicultural education for the National Science Teachers Association, president of the National Association of Multicultural Science Educators, and the National Association of Biology Teachers chair of the Role & Status of Women in Biology Education section. Her research focuses on the achievement of students of color in science using the inquiries student's culture, cognitive processes, pre-service, and in-service students’ education.