Anna Baynum

Anna Baynum is an Associate Professor and Chair of Education at Hollins University, and a licensed K-12 reading specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Guilford College, a Master of Education, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Virginia.

Her research focuses on literacy development across age groups, with expertise in:

• Language acquisition and orthographic development in early childhood
• Reading disabilities and differentiated instruction
• Evidence-based writing pedagogy using traditional/digital tools
• Job-embedded teacher professional development

Her publications center on literacy education, particularly vocabulary development strategies for adolescents and professional development frameworks for teachers. Research consistently emphasizes practical classroom applications.

She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including:

• Literacy assessment/diagnosis (EDUC 377/577, EDUC 378/578)
• Content-area reading strategies (EDUC 380/580)
• Writing instruction methods (EDUC 306/506)
• Student teaching supervision (EDUC 470/670)

Community engagement includes directing the Early Literacy Project, collaborating with Turn the Page Community Youth Program and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia, and providing literacy coaching to local schools.