Susan Bennett

Susan Bennett is an Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Florida's St. Petersburg Campus. Her work centers on multicultural education, culturally responsive teaching, and literacy, with a focus on integrating creative arts (music, visual art, drama) into pedagogy. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on literacy, literature, social studies, and special education, while engaging in community partnerships such as the Florida Department of Corrections initiative to improve prisoner literacy.

• Academic Rank: Associate Professor
• Department: Early Childhood Education
• Key Partnerships: Florida Department of Corrections

Research Interests: Bennett’s scholarship bridges social justice and literacy education, emphasizing the use of multicultural children’s literature to address systemic inequities. She explores arts integration in classrooms, literacy for incarcerated youth, and social-emotional learning in early childhood settings. Her work also highlights religious diversity in education and anti-racist pedagogy.

Scientific Awards:

• Special Recognition for Teaching Award (2018, College of Education)

Teaching & Outreach: Bennett has taught Navajo reservation kindergarteners, at-risk youth in correctional institutions, and high-achieving college students. Her courses emphasize culturally sustaining practices and transformative teacher education, preparing educators to address diversity and equity in K-6 classrooms.