Marie Byrd

Dr. Marie Byrd serves as Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the College of Education at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus. She maintains active leadership roles including elected board membership with the national Association of Teacher Educators (ATE), board service with the Southern Regional Association of Teacher Educators (SRATE), and past presidency of the Florida Association of Teacher Educators (FATE).

Her academic credentials include a BS in Elementary Education from Florida State University, MS in Elementary Education from Florida International University, and EdD in Educational Administration and Supervision with Curriculum and Instruction minor from Florida International University.

Dr. Byrd's research pioneers culturally responsive social-emotional learning frameworks for racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse schools in underserved communities. Her scholarship uniquely centers on Black girls' emotional development while developing competency models for educators navigating data-driven accountability systems. Current projects examine leadership practices that foster academic and emotional growth through culturally sustaining pedagogies.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in culturally responsive leadership (73% of works), social-emotional learning implementation (60%), and equity-focused educational policy (47%). Her scholarship consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications for K-12 settings, particularly addressing the intersection of race, gender, and socioeconomic status in educational outcomes.

Her distinguished recognition includes:

• USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (WLP) Faculty Excellence Award for groundbreaking research on Black girls' social-emotional learning

Dr. Byrd provides significant service through community partnerships including her current role as USFSM liaison for the Manatee Elementary Community Partnership School. Her prior leadership as Director of the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee demonstrates sustained administrative commitment to educator development.

Her professional activities center on community-based initiatives through the Manatee Elementary Partnership and collaborations with regional educational organizations focused on underserved student populations, creating direct pathways between academic research and classroom practice.