Ann Van Wig

Ann Van Wig serves as an Assistant Professor at Eastern Washington University, specializing in literacy education and teacher preparation. Her work bridges classroom instruction with field experiences while emphasizing innovative teaching methodologies.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with Emphasis in Literacy Education (University of Wyoming, 2016)
• Master of Arts in Teaching (University of Central Missouri, 2004)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Minor: Anthropology (University of Iowa, 1985)
• Associate of Arts in Nursing (Rochester Community College, 1982)

Dr. Van Wig's research examines best practices in pre-service education and literacy faculty navigation between classroom theory and practical fieldwork. Her international investigations span indigenous education systems in Guatemala, multilingual literacy approaches in Latvia, and comprehensive school reviews in Lithuania. She champions pedagogical innovation through risk-taking in instructional methods, fostering learning communities grounded in kindness, empathy, and social justice principles. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes that effective educators must continuously challenge themselves with new methodologies while maintaining student-centered compassion.

As an online educator, she teaches Advanced Reading Methods Across the Curriculum (EDUC 544), Reading Inquiry (EDUC 560), and Instructional Foundations for Literacy Difficulties (EDUC 591), utilizing Zoom breakout sessions and video-based instruction. She advocates for flexible scheduling in online education while advising students to begin coursework early and dedicate protected time amid professional demands.

Transitioning to education as a second career after healthcare work, Dr. Van Wig leverages her school nursing background to inform teacher preparation. Her extensive travel across all 50 U.S. states informs her global perspective on educational practices, though no formal research teams or laboratory affiliations are documented.