Katie Dredger

Dr. Katie Dredger is an Academic Unit Head and Professor in the Department of Middle, Secondary & Mathematics Education at James Madison University's College of Education. She also serves as Executive Director of Research and Scholarships & MSME AUH. Her professional journey includes 13 years as a teacher, department chair, and literacy coach in Calvert County, Maryland schools. Dredger holds a B.A. in English and Secondary Education from McDaniel College, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Loyola College of Maryland, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Virginia Tech.

Her research focuses on adolescent literacy, content area literacy, and 21st-century literacies, emphasizing the integration of emerging technologies in modern classrooms. Key themes include critical media analysis (particularly sports media), differentiated instruction, and fostering critical innovation across K-graduate education. Her work explores how educators can support student autonomy through curated resources and multimodal learning experiences.

Recent publications highlight trends in reimagining literacy education through digital tools, interdisciplinary approaches to media analysis, and the role of critical pedagogy in addressing evolving educational landscapes. Though no scientific awards are explicitly listed, her contributions reflect a commitment to bridging theory and practice in teacher education and curriculum design.

Dr. Dredger’s career emphasizes collaboration across educational ecosystems, including partnerships between universities and K-12 institutions. Her scholarship often intersects with undergraduate research initiatives and community outreach programs like OPERAcraft, which merge arts education with modern technological platforms.