Amy Tondreau

Dr. Amy Tondreau is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Literacy in the Department of Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), part of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Her work bridges Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP) to reimagine literacy education. She holds an Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.Ed. from Rhode Island College, and a B.A. in Elementary Education and Communications from Boston College.

Her research focuses on teachers’ and students’ literacy identities, critical literacy, and professional learning communities. She emphasizes equity-centered approaches, particularly confronting systemic barriers related to race, disability, and neurodiversity. Key themes include disability sustaining pedagogy, racial literacies, and anti-bias education.

Dr. Tondreau’s publications explore topics such as postmodern picture books in literacy instruction, teacher educators’ racial literacies, and collaborative inquiry groups. Her co-authored book, Universal Design for Learning and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in the Balanced Literacy Classroom, is scheduled for publication by Routledge in 2023.

Her professional experience includes roles as a staff developer for the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and co-director of the Summer Literacy Clinic at Rhode Island College. She advocates for neuroaffirming practices and cross-cultural pedagogical frameworks, prioritizing inclusive and identity-affirming education.