Dr. Pannell has worked extensively with families and children/students in high-poverty, high-minority schools.  In the Mississippi public education system, she served in such roles as teacher, bus driver, coach, athletic director, instructional facilitator, assistant principal, and principal.  Dr. Pannell received the Champion of Change Award from the Mississippi Department of Education in 2013 for closing achievement gaps in her school.  Dr.  Pannell also served on various district-level strategic planning committees and developed a New Teacher Induction Program.  She holds principal and superintendent certification in the state of Texas as well as administrator certification in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Florida.  Dr. Pannell also holds a Certified Athletic Administrator certification through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Dr. Pannell has published articles and presented at various national conferences on educator preparation program evaluation on program evaluation and literacy instruction of African American students.  She has also served on collaborative committees with the Mississippi Department of Education and Mississippi State University to assist in development of the Mississippi Principal Evaluation System.  Her primary research interests include educator preparation, teacher retention, and the effect of poverty in schools.