Katie Kelly

Katie Kelly serves as Associate Professor and Literacy Education Coordinator in Furman University's Education Department, where she has taught since 2012. Her background includes elementary classroom teaching and literacy coaching in North Carolina and New York, driving her focus on transformative teacher preparation for social justice.

Her educational credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• M.A. in Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• B.S. in Education, State University of New York at Cortland

Dr. Kelly's research centers on critical literacy and culturally sustaining pedagogies that develop compassionate global citizens. She investigates multiliteracies and teacher development to advance equity through literacy instruction, emphasizing how literature and writing can foster advocacy skills and deep critical thinking in K-12 settings. Her work bridges theory and classroom practice to address systemic inequities.

Analysis of her publications reveals consistent integration of digital tools (VoiceThread, podcasts, Web 2.0) with writing instruction and social justice themes. Recurring threads include literacy coaching models, multigenre writing approaches, and strategies for democratic classrooms. Her scholarship demonstrates how technology enhances revision processes, student voice, and advocacy while maintaining focus on culturally responsive practices across elementary and middle school contexts.

Her professional recognition includes:

• Nationally Board Certified Teacher

As Literacy Education Coordinator, Dr. Kelly mentors preservice teachers through curriculum design and field placements while supporting inservice educators via professional development. Her co-authored books provide practical frameworks for implementing literature-based social action projects and digital literacy tools. Though specific grant history isn't detailed, her publications reflect sustained research productivity in literacy teacher education.