Katrina Maynard

Dr. Katrina Maynard serves as an Instructor in the College of Education at James Madison University. She holds Virginia state licensure for K-12 Special Education (covering Intellectual Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional Disabilities), Pre-Kindergarten to 4th Grade Elementary Education, and Administration and Supervision.

Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education from the University of Virginia, where her dissertation examined vocabulary instruction for first-grade students at risk of reading difficulties through shared storybook reading. She also earned a Master of Teaching in Special Education (thesis on teacher attitudes toward mainstreaming/inclusion) and a B.A. in Psychology, all from UVA.

Dr. Maynard's research focuses on evidence-based strategies for struggling learners, emphasizing active learning techniques to enhance student engagement and motivation within special education contexts. She advocates for teacher preparation programs integrating practicum-embedded coursework, coaching models, and reflective practice theory to address diverse learner needs.

She has held significant administrative roles including Coordinator of Elementary and Middle School Teacher Preparation Programs, Chair of the CEHS Curriculum Committee, and CAEP Accreditation/Assessment Coordinator. Her funded research includes a Virginia Department of Education grant as Co-Investigator for the Teacher Leadership Program and development of a literacy self-efficacy assessment tool for teacher candidates.