معرفی
Sarah F. Pedonti is an Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University (WCU), affiliated with the College of Education and Allied Professions and the Department of Human Services. Her work focuses on early childhood education, particularly supporting children at risk of reading difficulties, including those from low-income backgrounds, with disabilities, and dual language learners. She emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration to design family-centered interventions enhancing language and literacy skills through book-reading.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Sciences and Special Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2008, 2013*)
- M.Ed. in Human Development, Harvard Graduate School of Education (2009)
- B.A. in Child Development, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2008)
Teaching Interests:
- Early Childhood Literacy Birth-5 (BK 315)
- Interagency Planning (BKSE 412)
- Family Collaborative Planning (BKSE 411)
Research Interests: Dr. Pedonti investigates language and literacy development in vulnerable young populations, including children in poverty, those with disabilities, and dual language learners. Her research explores systemic barriers in early education, such as Head Start disability services for migrant and seasonal farmworker families, and designs actionable interventions to improve family engagement in literacy.
Advising & Grants: While no specific advisees or grants are listed, her teaching and research indicate a focus on supporting early childhood educators and families through academic partnerships. She has worked in public early childhood programs and Head Start for a decade before her Ph.D.
