Bronwyn Harris
Assistant Professor of Education
Department: Education and Wellness
Email: bharris22@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-5864
Brief Biography
I am a teacher–scholar–mentor whose work lies at the intersection of literacy, disability, and teacher education. As an Assistant Professor of Education in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education at Elon University, I prepare future educators in the dual licensure program for general and special education. I am passionate about helping teacher candidates learn to build inclusive, literacy-rich classrooms that empower all students to thrive.
My research explores how teachers bridge general and special education, with particular attention to literacy instruction for students with disabilities. I am especially interested in how teacher candidates connect theory to practice as they work in real classrooms, and in how teacher preparation programs can foster both confidence and competence in supporting K-12 students with diverse learning needs.
Grounded in the belief that all students can learn and deserve meaningful, engaging opportunities, I work to create learning environments that center collaboration, equity, and joy in teaching and learning. As a mentor, I am deeply committed to guiding teacher candidates and undergraduate researchers as they develop their scholarly voices and professional identities. Outside of my work, I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family, including my husband, our young son, and our dog, Remi.
Links
News & Notes
Education
Ed.D. Appalachian State University, 2024. Major: Literacy in Exceptionalities. Major Professor: Dr. David A. Koppenhaver.
M.A. Appalachian State University, 2016. Major: Reading Education-Autism Spectrum Disorder. Major Professor: Dr. David A. Koppenhaver.
B.A. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2013. Major: Elementary Education. Study abroad at Pädagogische Hochschule Ludwigsburg (Ludwigsburg University of Education)
Courses Taught
EDU 2110 Education and Society
EDU 3540 Early Literacy Birth - 2nd Grade
EDU 4010 Exploratory Capstone
EDU 4040 Professional Experience II
EDU 4440 Literacy Special Education Methods
EDU 4970 Student Teaching Supervision
EDU 4999 Undergraduate Research
MED 6360 Foundations of Research, online
Grants Awarded
2025 Community Partnership Initiative Faculty Grant ($800), Elon University Kernodle Center for Civic Life; Recipient: Bronwyn Harris
2024 Teaching and Learning Conference Grant, Elon University, Center for the Advancement of Teaching & Learning (CATL) ($1,000); Recipient: Bronwyn Harris
Publications
Selected Publications
Harris, B. A., Moore, T. R., & Pennell, A. E. (in press). Armando’s case: Diagnostic emergent literacy assessment for children with complex communication needs. Journal of Case Learning and Exceptional Learners.
Cheek, A., Harris, B. A., Koppenhaver, D. A., Garwood, J., & Laws, B. R. (2021). Technology-supported shared storybook reading for children with severe intellectual disabilities using augmentative and alternative communication. Rural Special Education Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/87568705221075758
Garwood, J. D., Werts, M. G., Mason, L. H., Harris, B. A., Austin, M. B., Ciullo, S., Magner, K. M., Koppenhaver, D. A., & Shin, M. (2019). Improving persuasive science writing for secondary students with emotional and behavioral disorders educated in residential treatment facilities. Behavioral Disorders, 44(4), 227-240. https://doi.org/10.1177/0198742918809341
Presentations
Moore, T., & Harris, B. A., Shadrick, S., & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2020, November 13). Inclusive Literacy Practices that Work Across Virtual and Real World Settings. Session at the 2020 OCALICON virtual Conference.
Harris, B. A. (2019, October 11). Low Fluency, High Comprehension: A Case Study of a Third-Grade Student with Autism. Poster Session at the International Literacy Association 2019 Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana.
National Conference
Harris, B. A. (2024, March 16). Bridging Two Worlds: ASD & the General Education Classroom. Poster Session at the Council for Exceptional Children 2024 Convention, San Antonio, TX.
Moore, T. & Harris, B. A. (2023, November 9). Writing Without Standards: It’s NOT Instructional Anarchy! Session at the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers 2023 Annual Conference, Santa Fe, NM.
Shadrick, S., Moore, T., Harris, B. A., & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2022, July 14). Early Literacy and Communication for Children with Significant Needs. Conference Session at the 2022 Williams Syndrome Association National Conference, online.
Harris, B. A., Moore, T., Shadrick, S., & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2021, January 16). Inclusive Reading Principles and Practices in the Real and Virtual Worlds. Conference Session at the Council for Exceptional Children 2022 Convention, Orlando, FL.
Koppenhaver, D. A., Harris, B. A., & Moore, T. (2021, November 8). Writing Instruction that Enhances Communication. Conference session at the #TalkingAAC 2021 Annual Conference, online.
Harris, B. A. (2021, November 5). Liberation Through Literacy Instruction: Examining the Beliefs of General Education Classroom Teachers Providing Literacy Instruction to Students with Disabilities. Round table at the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers 2021 Annual Conference, Hilton Head, SC.
Koppenhaver, D. A., Shadrick, S., Moore, T., & Harris, B. A. (2020, July 8). What Diagnostic Assessments Reveal about the Literacy Strengths and Needs of Individuals with Williams Syndrome. Paper session at the 2020 Williams Syndrome Association National Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
Harris, B. A. (2019, November 8). The Developmental Experience of Students with Autism During Literacy Instruction. Round table at the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers 2019 Annual Conference, Corpus Christi, TX.
Harris, B. A. (2018, December 5). Teaching a Child, Not a Label: Reading Fluency Intervention in an Inclusive Classroom. Paper Proposal at the American Reading Forum 2018 Annual Conference, Sanibel Island, FL.
Harris, B. A. (2018, November 8). Low Fluency, High Comprehension: A Case Study of a Third-Grade Student with Autism. Poster session at the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers 2018 Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
Pennell, A. E., Harris, B. A., & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2018, November 8). Every Child in a Book: Using Picture Books to Explore Characters with a Disability. Workshop session at the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers 2018 Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
Regional and State Conferences
Tate, A. & Harris, B. A. (2024, February 24). Modeling Co-teaching Strategies in Teacher Preparation. Poster Presentation at the 37th Annual North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Raleigh, NC.
Harris, B. A. & Ryan, C. (2023, March 27). Reading Comprehension Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Look Inside Inclusive NC Classrooms. Presentation at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Winston-Salem, NC.
Moore, T., Harris, B. A., & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2020, February 26). ASD/EBD. Paper Session at the North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children 2020 Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Harris, B. A. & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2019, April 10). Using Shared Storybook Reading to Increase Symbolic Communication of Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities. Paper Session at the North Carolina Speech, Hearing, and Language Association 65th Annual Convention, Winston-Salem, NC.
Harris, B. A. & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2019, February 22). Using Shared Storybook Reading to Increase Symbolic Communication of Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities. Paper Session at the North Carolina Augmentative Communication Association 36th Annual Conference, Bermuda Run, NC.
Harris, B. A. & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2019, January 23). Inclusive Literacy for All Students. Paper Session at the North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children 2019 Conference, Wilmington, NC.
Harris, B. A. & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2017, November 4). Three Strategies for More Inclusive Writing Instruction. Presentation at the North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Northwest Regional Conference, Boone, NC.
Service Activities
Elon University, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education
Masters in Education Committee (2024-2025)
Department Search Committee (2024)
Program Assistant, Intercultural Learning Certificate Program (ILCP) (Fall, 2024)
Appalachian State University Graduate Student Government Association, Department of Reading & Special Education
Diversity Committee (2020-2021)
Adhoc Committee (2020)
Finance Committee (2019)
Professional Development
LETRS Training (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), Lexia Learning (2024)
Awards
Appalachian State University Domer Graduate Student Research Award, 2021-2022
American Reading Forum Graduate Student Scholarship, 2018