Joan Lachance

Dr. Joan Lachance is an Associate Professor of Education and Program Director for the undergraduate and graduate Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) programs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (2010) from UNC Charlotte, an M.Ed. in School Counseling (1998) from Pontifical Catholic University, and a B.S. in Secondary Education and Modern Languages (1993) from Florida International University.

Her research focuses on dual language teacher preparation, academic language development, and authentic assessment strategies for English Learners (ELs). She actively collaborates with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (Title III/ESL) to support school districts and serves as a member of AERA’s Bilingual Education Special Interest Group. Her teaching includes courses on Second Language Acquisition, Authentic Assessment, TESL Methods, and student teaching supervision.

Lachance’s publications analyze dual language pedagogies, edTPA systems of support, and co-teaching strategies. She emphasizes innovation in educator preparation through partnerships and equitable assessment practices.