- PhD in Literacy Studies; ESL Education; Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction and Teaching English Language Learners. University of Washington Tacoma, WA
- BS in Early Grades Preparation, West Chester University, West Chester, PA
BIO
Dr. Elizabeth Fincher's course load includes teaching K-3 Literacy, K-3 Interdisciplinary Practicums, Intro to Early Care and Education, and Movie Nights: Critical Childhood. She also supervises student teachers during their practicums and other service learning opportunities in the field. She strives towards inclusive teaching practices to support early reading, writing, and language development processes of young children through teacher education and professional development opportunities.
Dr. Fincher’s research interests are in literacy and language development of early grades and elementary students, particularly of English learners and multilingual learners. She studies self-efficacy and language learning with students and teachers' self-efficacy through qualitative methods. Through narrative inquiry, she explores the intersectional identities of children and youth in text-based interactions when heritage materials are included to create equitable learning practices.
In what she described as a “humanizing approach,” Dr. Fincher brings her extensive training to language and literacy support and instruction, along with her experiences working with community agencies and families. Through community engaged work with local non-governmental organizations serving Latino children, youth, and families, she is committed to creating robust literacy resources for community members.
Courses
- EDEC 3820 K-3 Literacy
- EDEC 3790 K-3 Interdisciplinary Practicum
- EDEC 1010 Introduction to Early Care and Education
- EDEC 1070 Movie Night Critical Childhood
Awards and Achievements
- 2020 Teaching & Learning Innovation, Office of the Provost
- 2020 TPTE Graduate Student Award, The University of Tennessee
Area(s) of expertise
- Early Childhood and Elementary Literacy
- English Learner Education
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Teacher Education
Bio
Dr. Elizabeth Fincher's course load includes teaching K-3 Literacy, K-3 Interdisciplinary Practicums, Intro to Early Care and Education, and Movie Nights: Critical Childhood. She also supervises student teachers during their practicums and other service learning opportunities in the field. She strives towards inclusive teaching practices to support early reading, writing, and language development processes of young children through teacher education and professional development opportunities.
Dr. Fincher’s research interests are in literacy and language development of early grades and elementary students, particularly of English learners and multilingual learners. She studies self-efficacy and language learning with students and teachers' self-efficacy through qualitative methods. Through narrative inquiry, she explores the intersectional identities of children and youth in text-based interactions when heritage materials are included to create equitable learning practices.
In what she described as a “humanizing approach,” Dr. Fincher brings her extensive training to language and literacy support and instruction, along with her experiences working with community agencies and families. Through community engaged work with local non-governmental organizations serving Latino children, youth, and families, she is committed to creating robust literacy resources for community members.
Courses
- EDEC 3820 K-3 Literacy
- EDEC 3790 K-3 Interdisciplinary Practicum
- EDEC 1010 Introduction to Early Care and Education
- EDEC 1070 Movie Night Critical Childhood
Awards and Achievements
- 2020 Teaching & Learning Innovation, Office of the Provost
- 2020 TPTE Graduate Student Award, The University of Tennessee
Areas of Expertise
- Early Childhood and Elementary Literacy
- English Learner Education
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Teacher Education