Marie Putnam Havran

Marie Putnam Havran, EdD, serves as an adjunct professor at Furman University while working as an elementary literacy specialist in Greenville, South Carolina. Her academic focus centers on literacy education with particular emphasis on adolescent development and inclusive practices.

Her educational credentials include:

• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina
• M.A. from Furman University
• B.A. from Indiana State University

Havran's research investigates adolescent literacy education through critical and inclusive lenses, prioritizing neurodiverse learners and equitable classroom environments. She champions student autonomy in reading and writing while developing instructional approaches that dismantle barriers to literacy engagement. Her work consistently addresses how socioeconomic factors and pandemic disruptions impact reading habits, advocating for representation in classroom libraries and student-centered literacy practices that honor diverse learning needs.

Analysis of her 2018-2023 publications reveals three dominant trends: pandemic-responsive literacy strategies (particularly remote independent reading frameworks), neurodiversity inclusion through diverse literature curation, and critical literacy approaches connecting reading rights to social justice. Her scholarship bridges theoretical frameworks with practical classroom applications across K-12 settings.

Her professional recognition includes:

• Teacher of the Year at Grove Elementary (2012)

Havran actively contributes to literacy discourse through academic publications and practitioner-oriented blog posts, though no formal student advisement or grant-funded research is documented. Her work demonstrates sustained commitment to evolving literacy practices amid contemporary educational challenges, particularly through platforms like edCircuit and Literacy Now where she translates research into actionable strategies for educators.