Elsie Olan

Elsie Olan, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Teacher Education at the University of Central Florida (UCF), within the College of Community Innovation and Education. Her office is located in ED 223N, and she can be reached at elsie.olan@ucf.edu or 407-823-5179. Dr. Olan holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Language, Culture, and Society from The Pennsylvania State University.

Her research expertise centers on secondary teacher education, English Language Arts, and literacy education. Key interests include the intersection of literature and mental health representation, culturally responsive pedagogy, and transformative leadership in teacher training. She actively investigates how young adult literature can disrupt stigma around mental illness and promote critical dialogue in educational settings.

Notable contributions include the 2017 English Leadership Quarterly Best Article Award. Her work emphasizes pedagogical innovations like literacy quadrants, found poetry, and critical friendship methodologies to foster reflective teaching practices. Recent research trends focus on equity education, narrative analysis of trauma (e.g., PTSD portrayals), and reimagining leadership frameworks in teacher preparation programs.

Dr. Olan’s scholarship bridges theory and practice, addressing contemporary challenges in literacy education through interdisciplinary approaches. Her publications span over two decades, consistently advocating for inclusive, dialogic teaching strategies that empower both educators and learners.