Dr. Jenna Nelson serves as the Assistant Division Chair for the Division of Curriculum, Technology, and Inclusive Education. She is an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction and has been a faculty member at CUC since 2018.

Jenna teaches graduate-level courses on curriculum, instructional best practices, and gifted and talented education. Jenna's current research is on curriculum and teaching practices for supporting diverse learners in gifted and talented education. Her research interests include gifted and talented teaching, secondary English education, literacy, and educating diverse learners.

Degrees

  • EdD, Curriculum and Instruction - Loyola University; Chicago, IL
  • EdM, Curriculum and Teaching - Boston University; Boston, MA
  • BA, English & Secondary Education - University of Illinois; Urbana, IL

Publications:

  • Nelson,J. & Garvin, S. (2020). Hopes and future change: Physically slowing down and emotionally opening up. In K.Varner, S. Brickmore, D. Hays, P.G. Schrader, D. Carlson, D. Anagnostopoulos (Eds.). The Corona Chronicles: Necessary narratives in uncertain times. DIO Press, Inc.

  • Kelly, A., Nelson, J., & Moon, S. (2020). Teaching without organs. In K.Varner, S. Brickmore, D. Hays, PG. Schrader, D. Carlson, D. Anagnostopoulos (Eds.). The Corona Chronicles: Necessary narratives in uncertain times. DIO Press, Inc.

  • Nelson, J. (2020). Supporting the whole gifted child. ASCD.

  • Nelson, J., Papola-Ellis, A., Giatsou, E. (2020). Developing literacy-minded educators: Authentic field-based teacher preparation, Literacy Research and Instruction, 59(1), 17-38.

  • Nelson, J. (2019). Meeting the literacy needs of adolescent readers. Lutheran Education Journal, 155(4), 66-72.

  • Nelson, J. & Bohanon, H. (2019). Blue ocean shift: Evidence-based practices in the professional development of teachers. International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, 12(2), 4-20.

  • Papola-Ellis, A., Nelson, J., & Hunt, J. (2018). Teacher candidates’ emerging awareness of literacy pedagogy and practices in the classroom. In A. Heineke & A.M. Ryan (Eds). Teaching, Learning, and Leading with Schools and Communities: One University Reinvents Teacher Education for the Next Generation. New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield.

Presentations:

  • Nelson, J. (2021, August 3). Enhancing curriculum and instruction in a dual language gifted and talented education classroom. [Conference presentation]. World Council of Gifted and Talented Children 2021 Conference, United States.

  • Nelson, J. (2021, April 11). Considering responsive practices from Spanish Language Arts for English Language Arts in Gifted Education [Conference presentation]. American Educational Research Association 2021 Conference, Orlando, FL, United States.

  • Nelson, J. (2020, March 17-21). English Language Arts Curriculum and Teaching in a Dual Language Gifted and Talented Classroom [Paper presentation]. American Educational Research Association 2020 Conference, San Francisco, CA, United States.

  • Nelson, J. (2019, July 25). Adolescent Latina learners in dual language gifted and talented classrooms [Conference presentation]. World Gifted Conference, Nashville, TN, United States.