I’m a PhD student in Exceptional Learning with a concentration in Critical Discourse and Literacy Studies at Tennessee Technological University. My research sits at the intersection of literacy policy, pre-service teacher education, AI in education, and educational equity.
Before my doctoral studies, I spent three years as a Kindergarten teacher in Campbell County, TN, where I saw firsthand how early literacy experiences shape everything that follows. That classroom experience drives every question I ask as a researcher and keeps my work grounded in what actually happens for kids.
I hold Tennessee teaching licenses in Elementary Education (K–5) and as a Reading Specialist (PK–12), and I’m a 2023 recipient of the Literacy Association of Tennessee’s Literacy Award.
Co-PI on a funded study (OVPRED, $19,942) exploring how mentorship shapes literacy instruction readiness among preservice teachers in rural Tennessee contexts. In collaboration with Dr. Amber Spears, Natalie Beach, Lindsey Braistad, Ann Mangenelli, and McKenna Day.
An exploratory qualitative study investigating how K–5 public school teachers in Tennessee perceived and used AI tools to support literacy instruction. Framed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and TPACK framework. Published in The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Studies.
Examines the phenomenon of summer learning loss among multilingual learners, particularly those from low-income and migrant backgrounds, and presents the Children's Defense Fund Freedom School model as a research-based solution. Published in the TNTESOL Journal (2025 Featured Article).
A qualitative case study examining the impacts of Tennessee's third-grade retention law on children, families, and educators through an action research framework. Uses semi-structured interviews, social media content analysis, and document reviews to explore lived experiences of parents and educators. Published in the International Journal of the Whole Child, Vol. 10 No. 1.
Addresses teacher hesitation around AI adoption by dispelling common myths and introducing free, teacher-friendly tools designed to support elementary literacy instruction. Published in the Literacy Association of Tennessee Journal.
Explores how guided literacy practicums can bridge the gap between teacher preparation coursework and classroom practice. Presented at the 27th Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE), Dún Laoghaire, Ireland.
A foundational writing course developing students' skills in academic composition, critical thinking, and argumentation. (3 credit hours)
An exploration of how technology can be effectively integrated into educational settings to enhance teaching and learning. (3 credit hours)
Core methods course in literacy instruction for preservice teachers, covering foundational reading and writing pedagogy. (7 credit hours)
Focused methods course for early literacy instruction in kindergarten through second grade classrooms. (6 credit hours)
Graduate-level examination of literacy theory and practice in elementary school contexts. (3 credit hours)
Supervised practicum connecting graduate literacy coursework to applied classroom experience. (3 credit hours)
Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Studies (January 2026)
Read →Brown, C., Thompson, H.C.
Tennessee Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TNTESOL) Journal (December 2025, Featured Article)
Spears, A., Potter, D., Brown, C., & Anderson, L.
International Journal of the Whole Child, Vol. 10 No. 1 (July 2025)
Read →Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
Literacy Association of Tennessee Journal (May 2025)
Read →Beach, N., Braisted, L., Brown, C., Spears, A.
Literacy Now (November 12, 2024)
Read →Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
Literacy Now (October 29, 2024)
Read →Beach, N., Braisted, L., Brown, C., Spears, A.
Literacy Now (October 15, 2024)
Read →Brown, C., Day, M., Spears, A., Braisted, L., Beach, N., & Manganelli, A.
Canada International Conference on Education, Toronto, Canada [Poster session]
Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., Manganelli, D.A., Brown, C., & Day, M.
National Association of School University Partnerships Conference, Crystal City, VA
Spears, A., Brown, C.
2025 National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), New Orleans, LA
Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
Literacy Association of Tennessee, Mossy Creek Literacy Conference, Carson-Newman University
Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
32nd International Conference on Learning, The Learner Research Network, University of Granada
Brown, C., Spears, A., Beach, N., & Braisted, L.
21st International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (ICQI), Champaign, IN
Braisted, L., Spears, A. M., Brown, C., Beach, N.
27th Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE), Royal Marine, Dún Laoghaire, Ireland
Brown, C.
Tennessee Tech University Research and Creative Inquiry Day, Cookeville, TN [Poster session]
Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
Literacy Association of Tennessee Virtual Literacy Lounge
Brown, C.
MTSU Literacy Research Conference, Murfreesboro, TN [Poster session]
Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) 2024 Conference, Anaheim, CA
Spears, A., Beach, N., Braisted, L., & Brown, C.
Literacy Association of Tennessee Conference, Franklin, TN
Brown, C.
Literacy Association of Tennessee Conference, Franklin, TN [Poster session]
Brown, C., Thompson, H.
Tennessee Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TNTESOL) 2024 Conference, Nashville, TN
Spears, A., Brown, C.
East Tennessee Literacy 2024 Fall Conference, Jefferson City, TN
Brown, C., Summons, T.
Upper Cumberland Annual Summer Literacy Conference, Cookeville, TN
Spears, A., Brown, C.
20th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (ICQI), Champaign, IN
Spears, A., Brown, C.
University of Calgary Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching, Calgary, AB
Brown, C.
Literacy Association of Tennessee's East Tennessee Literacy Leadership Workshop, Sevierville, TN
Spears, A., Potter, D., & Brown, C.
National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) 2023 Conference, Montgomery, AL
Kohlmeyer, C.
Literacy Association of Tennessee Conference, Murfreesboro, TN
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