A New Jersey native, Amy spent many formative years in Boston. While there, she taught in a small Jesuit middle school and in a large public high school. She also served for fifteen years in parish ministry, ten of which were spent as the Director of Faith Formation atSt. Ignatius Churchin Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Amy has spent considerable time in communities around the world which have deeply influenced her thinking and practice of education, including Dublin, Ireland; Camden, New Jersey; West Kingston, Jamaica; San Salvador, El Salvador; and most especially Tacna, Peru.
Amy has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Education Technology (EPET) from Michigan State University's College of Education. She holds three degrees from Boston College: an A.B. in history and secondary education; an A.M. in Developmental and Educational Psychology; and a C.A.E.S. in Religious Education.