Research Interests
Barbara A. Ward’s research interests include
examining how gender, race, ethnicity and class affect
how texts are read and discussed. Her research revolves
around literacy, including how books are discussed in
whole group and literature circle formats. She is
intrigued by how, why and what readers read as well as
aliteracy in preservice and inservice teachers and in
tracing the reading habits and reading histories of
education majors. She is also fascinated by teacher
narratives and exploring how teachers develop concepts
of culture and their own cultural identities.
Teaching/Professional Interests
Ward teaches courses in literacy, including Early
Literacy, Reading and Writing in Grades 4-8, Seminar in
Literacy in Multicultural Settings, Psychology of
Reading, and Reading Assessment. She is an active
member of the International Reading Association, the
National Council of Teachers of English, and the
National Association for Multicultural Education.
Recent Accomplishments
- Young, T. A., & Ward, B. A. (2007). T"he story
behind Quest for the tree kangaroo." The
Journal of Children’s Literature 33(2).
- Ward, B. (2007, May). "Moving beyond the boundaries
of ethnicity and gender
- though high school book clubs." Session presented
at the International
- Reading Association 52nd Annual Convention,
Toronto, Canada.
- Ward, B. (2007, January). "Natasha’s journey:
How a preservice teachers' transformative multicultural
experiences became a data poem." Paper presented at the
20th Annual Conference on Interdisciplinary Qualitative
Studies, Athens, Georgia.
- Ward, B. (2007, January). "Using data poems to hear
voice." Paper presented at the 20th Annual Conference
on Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies, Athens,
Georgia.
- 2006: Selected as Outstanding Doctoral Graduate in
the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the
College of Education and Human Development, University
of New Orleans.
- 2005: Selected as recipient of Outstanding
Leadership Award by the Department of Curriculum &
Instruction, University of New Orleans.
Educational Background
- Ph. D Curriculum & Instruction, University of
New Orleans, 2005
- M. S. English Education, University of Tennessee,
1992
- B. S. Journalism/Education, University of
Tennessee, 1982
