Her research centers on improving secondary school experiences for adolescent learners that includes investigating ways secondary school environments are responsive to the basic and developmental needs of adolescent learners, exploring ways to foster a responsive middle-to-high school transition, and examining ways to cultivate responsive secondary teachers and teacher educators. Cheryl is PI and Project Manager of the Helios STEM Middle Grades Teacher Preparation Residency program. She currently serves as the Vice Chair for AERA’s Middle Level Education Research Group, member of AMLE’s Research Advisory Committee, and Secretary and Collegiate Representative for the Florida League of Middle Schools.