Rate My Professor Kitty Crawford

Kathleen “Kitty” Crawford, Ed.D., serves as Assistant Professor of Elementary Literacy in the Department of Elementary and Special Education within Georgia Southern University’s College of Education. A Triple Eagle alumna of the institution, she holds a B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education (1997), M.Ed. in Elementary Education (1998), and Ed.D. in Curriculum Studies with a concentration in Teaching and Learning in Elementary Teacher Education (2016). Her doctoral dissertation, titled “Developing the Whole Teacher: A Phenomenological Case Study of Student Teachers’ Emotional Experiences in One Teacher Education Program,” examined the emotional aspects of teacher preparation. Crawford’s career trajectory includes teaching fourth and fifth grades at San Mateo Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida (1997–2003), serving as K–5 Literacy Coach there (2003–2005), and working as an Elementary Literacy Trainer for Bryan County Schools (2012–2017). She joined Georgia Southern University in 2005 as Clinical Instructor of Elementary Education (PK–5), advanced to Program Director of Elementary Education (PK–5) from 2014 to 2018, and has been Assistant Professor of Elementary Literacy since 2019.

Crawford’s research interests encompass emotional dimensions of teaching, innovative literacy instruction, mentoring novice teachers, and humanizing online teaching practices. Notable publications include “Emotional Dimensions of Teaching in Elementary Education Preparation” (The Qualitative Report, 2021, with J. McBrayer and K. Fallon), “Shifting Beliefs About the Teaching of Reading: Teacher Candidates’ Responses to The Book Whisperer” (Reading Horizons, 2022, with M. Reidel), “School Leadership Support: Understanding the Experiences of Elementary-Level Teachers During a Global Health Pandemic” (School Leadership Review, 2022, with P. Wells et al.), “Help Me Before I Quit! Reimagining New Teacher Mentoring Programs” (The New Educator, 2023, with C. Toledo), and “The Art of Connection: Humanizing Teaching and Learning in Online Classes” (2024 book chapter, with H. Huling). She has presented at conferences including the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers and the University System of Georgia Teaching and Learning Conference. Awards include a nomination for the College of Education Jack Miller Award for Teaching (2023), Regional Teacher of the Year (Duval County Public Schools), and Teacher of the Year (San Mateo Elementary School). Crawford contributes to service through editorial boards for The Qualitative Report and Journal of Teacher Education, conference proposal reviews, and university committees such as the Faculty Grievance Committee.