Rate My Professor Joan Rhodes

Dr. Joan A. Rhodes is an associate professor of reading and early/elementary education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. She coordinates the Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Health and Physical Education programs, overseeing clinical placements, curriculum development, and instruction. As a graduate faculty member in the Ph.D. in Education program, she teaches professional development and instructional theory courses. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Instructional Leadership and cognate in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education with Reading Specialist K-12 license from Texas A&M-Texarkana, and a B.S. in Elementary Education magna cum laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Possessing more than 35 years of teaching experience across preschool, elementary, middle school, and collegiate levels, including roles as an English as a Second Language educator and reading specialist, Rhodes joined the VCU faculty in 2003 and advanced to associate professor in 2009. Previously, she served as assistant professor at Auburn University-Montgomery and adjunct faculty at Texas A&M-Texarkana and George Mason University. In leadership capacities, she chaired the Department of Teaching and Learning from 2018 to 2023, acted as Faculty Director of Educator Preparation from 2023 to 2025, and directed Family Child Care Programs.

Rhodes's research specializations encompass instructional strategies and clinical programs for at-risk readers and English learners, the impact of study abroad programs on pre-service and in-service educators, instructional technology integrated with literacy such as digital study skills, media literacy, and social networking, early literacy development, and human trafficking prevention. She has led nine study abroad programs to countries including New Zealand, Hungary, Italy, and Costa Rica, and served as principal investigator for multiple grant-funded projects exceeding $9.7 million in total funding, including U.S. Department of Education Early Reading First grants and a National Professional Development grant. Notable awards and honors include the School of Education Unsung Hero Award in 2024, Professors of Literacy and Teacher Educators International Distinction Award in 2018, Virginia College Literacy Educators Jones-Daly Award for Faculty Involvement in 2018, School of Education Alumni Council Faculty Award for Exemplary Application of Technology in 2012, and School of Education Distinguished Scholar Award in 2007. Key publications feature co-authored works such as Kamat et al. (2025) 'Remote literacy instruction and curriculum for pre-K: Educators’ and parents’ perspectives' in Journal of Childhood Literacy and Societal Issues; Deeney et al. (2024) 'Family Perspectives of University Reading Clinic/Literacy Lab Experiences: What Matters' in Journal of Teacher Education; Laster et al. (2022) 'Literacy clinics during COVID-19: Voices that envision the future' in Literacy Research and Instruction; and Zammit, Rhodes, & Milby (2022) 'International approaches to writing instruction' in The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy. Rhodes contributes to professional organizations through roles such as Chair of the International Innovative Community Group for Literacy Research Association.