Roya Scales

Roya Q. Scales is a Professor of Literacy Education at Western Carolina University, affiliated with the School of Teaching and Learning within the College of Education and Allied Professions. With over 30 years of experience as an educator—including 11 years as a K–2 classroom teacher—her work focuses on adaptive teaching strategies, teacher metacognition, and effective literacy instruction.

Education:

• PhD in Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• MED in Education, Gardner-Webb University
• BSED in Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Research Interests: Dr. Scales investigates teachers’ visions and their enactment in classroom practice, teacher metacognition, and the development of effective literacy pedagogy. Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing practical approaches to early childhood literacy education.

Awards & Honors:

• 2022 A.B. Herr Award (Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers)
• 2019 Review of Research Award (American Educational Research Association)
• 2019 Outstanding Research Article Award (Organization of Teacher Educators in Literacy)
• Action in Teacher Education Editor’s Choice Award (2019)
• 2019 Teacher Education Research Grant (Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers)

Teaching & Grants: Dr. Scales teaches literacy education courses using a project-based approach. Her grants include the 2019 Teacher Education Research Grant supporting her work on literacy pedagogy.