Jolyn Blank

Dr. Jolyn Blank is an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida's College of Education, coordinating the Partnership with USF Preschool for Creative Learning. Her research focuses on arts-based pedagogy, inquiry-driven teaching methods, and early childhood teacher education. She explores how cultural and institutional contexts shape educators' perceptions of effective teaching practices.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2006)
• M.Ed., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2000)
• B.S., Illinois State University (1994)

Research Interests:
Dr. Blank's work examines school micro-cultures, early childhood teacher education in global contexts (e.g., Ghana), and the role of arts in fostering creative learning environments. Her projects include investigating performing arts centers as educational settings and analyzing how teacher beliefs evolve through professional collaboration.

Awards:

• 1999 National Association for Gifted Children Curriculum Award
• 2000 Karnes Scholar
• 2003 William Chandler Bagley Scholar
• 2010 Early Career Research Award (AERA)

Advising & Grants:
Lead researcher on grants including the USF Global Academic Partners Program (2010–present) and USF College of Education Grant (2008–present). Teaches courses on qualitative research, early childhood pedagogy, and the Project Approach.

Labs/Teams:
Director of the USF Preschool for Creative Learning, an affiliated faculty member integrating arts and inquiry-based methods into early education practice.