Upon completion of her B.A. in English at SDSU, Dr. Thurman taught English and language arts, grades 7-9, for four years in Nebraska. After moving to Sioux Falls, she taught English and composition at O'Gorman High School from 1980 to 2004. From 2004-2010, she taught English and composition at Lincoln High School, completing her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership at USF in 2005 and her Ed.D. in Educational Administration/Adult and Higher Ed at USD in 2009. Dr. Thurman is currently an Associate Professor of Education at USF and has been the Director of Graduate Programs in the Fredrikson School of Education since 2010.