Marna Winter

Associate Teaching Professor of Education and Associate Director of CATL

Belk Pavilion-Teaching&Learning, Office 105 2525 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Brief Biography

I am an Associate Teaching Professor of Education at Elon University, where I integrate relational and wellness pedagogy into my teaching to create inclusive, student-centered learning environments. With a background in Early Childhood Education and a passion for holistic health, I teach courses on teacher education, student wellness, and inclusive pedagogy, drawing from my own classroom experiences. I hold multiple certifications, including Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and am dedicated to enhancing education through service on various university committees, including the Ready Schools Task Force and Elon Early Childhood Design Team. Additionally, I mentor over 20 undergraduate researchers in topics related to literacy engagement, wellness, and equity, and I actively contribute to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

News & Notes

Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina - M.Ed, Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support focusing on inclusion with an infant and toddlers specialization, 2004.
Elon College, Elon, North Carolina - BA, Elementary Education, 1998.

Courses Taught

EDU 2110 Education and Society

EDU 2550 Foundations of 21st Century Teaching

EDU 301, 302, 4010 & 402 Exploration Seminars,

EDU 311 Principles of Learning and Teaching Language Arts and Social Studies,

EDU 3110 Principles of Learning and Teaching Language Arts and Social Studies,

EDU 411 Principles of Learning and Teaching Language Arts and Social Studies,

EDU 4110 Principles of Learning and Teaching Language Arts and Social Studies,

EDU 323 Literacy Development I: Principles and Practices,

EDU 324 Literacy II: Interventions for Struggling Readers,

EDU 346 Classroom Management for Elementary School,

EDU 350 Classroom Management for Secondary Grades,

EDU 481 & 483 Student Teaching and Capstone Seminar II

EDU 4970 Student Teaching Supervision

COE 375 Transitions Strategies: Surviving the First Year of Teaching.

COR 1100 The Global Experience

HEU 1703 Joyful Living: Embracing Gratitude for a Balanced Life

Leadership Positions

Leadership & University Service

Associate Director for the Center of the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (June 1, 2025-present)

Collaborate with the CATL team to support faculty in developing evidence-based teaching practices, inclusive pedagogy, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Contribute to university-wide initiatives, leading faculty development efforts, and helping foster a vibrant, student-centered teaching and learning community at Elon University.

Chair, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Elon University (2023–2015)
Provide strategic leadership for human subjects research compliance and ethics across the university. Conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure alignment with federal guidelines. Mentor researchers on proposal development, oversee review procedures, and lead ongoing policy revisions. Increased visibility and accessibility of the IRB by offering office hours and hosting informational sessions by request.

Chair, Department of Education and Wellness, Elon University (2016–2023)
Assumed the role during a period of significant transition and provided steady support to the Dean, faculty, staff, and student leaders across 7 majors and 7 minors. Oversaw 25+ full- and part-time faculty, conducted one-on-one meetings, provided observations, and evaluated colleagues for promotion and tenure. Led the department’s most comprehensive curriculum revision to date, aligning programs with Elon Experiences and enhancing student completion pathways. Directed academic operations, strategic planning, and inclusive pedagogical initiatives.

Vice Chair, IRB, Elon University (2013–2020)
Supported ethical review processes, reviewed proposals, and guided research faculty through IRB approval steps.

Director of Education Outreach (2014–2016) Collaborated with local school systems, administrators, and clinical teachers to secure practicum placements for teacher candidates and student teachers. Conducted clinical teacher training sessions and provided support to supervising faculty. Strengthened community partnerships and streamlined communication between the university and district partners to enhance the clinical experience pipeline.

Elementary Education Program Coordinator (2013–2015). Oversaw the day-to-day operations of the School of Education’s largest major. Supported course revisions and ensured alignment with accreditation standards. Conducted program-level data analysis to inform improvements. Provided support to both students and faculty, and assisted with recruitment efforts by meeting individually with prospective students and their families.

Research

My research interests include: Early Childhood Teacher Practices and Beliefs, Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Education, Global Education, and Professional Learning Communities within the local school system.

Current Projects

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Winter, M. K. (2025, July). Quick Fix: Inviting Curiosity – Exploring Lingering Questions with I Wonder Projects. Journal of College Teaching. https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/RJMBFVSJUR3YSX5MJTWI/full?target=10.1080/87567555.2025.2521085

Winter, M. K. (April, 2025). Let’s Play: Engaging College

Students in Mini Play Sessions: Perspectives and Reflections. Teaching and learning inquiry. https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/TLI/article/view/79861

Winter, M. K. (2025, April 1). Let’s play: Engaging college students in mini play sessions. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL). https://issotl.com/2025/04/01/lets-play-engaging-college-students-in-mini-play-sessions/

Winter, M.K., & Bryan, A. (December 2022). Power of a Name. Fringes. The

North Carolina English Teachers Association Journal.

Winter, M.K. & O’Neill, K. (November 2022). An Exploration of Prevalence

and Usage of Hi-Lo Texts in Today’s Classrooms. Journal of Adolescent &Adult Literacy. Reading and Writing Quarterly: Overcoming Learning Difficulties.

Winter, M.K., & Hollingsworth, H., (May/June, 2015). Promoting pretend play in

the preschool years: Teacher practices and strategies for involving families.

Childhood Education, 91(3).

Winter, M.K., & Barnatt, J., (Jan/Feb 2015). Beyond pen pals: Using shared readings to spark cross-cultural communication. Social Studies and the Young Learner 26(3)

Norman, V.,Barnatt, J., & Winter, M.,K. (Jan/Feb 2015). Create and send a

cultural pack. Social Studies and the Young Learner.27(3)pp P1-P4.

Barnatt, J.,M., Winter, M., K, Norman, B., Baker, & D. Wieczorek. (2014). Using cultural artifacts to understand self and other: A global exchange in elementary classrooms. Ohio Social Studies Review 51(1).

Hollingsworth, H. L., & Winter, M.K., (2013). Teacher beliefs and practices relating to development in preschool: Importance placed on social-emotional behaviours and skills. Early Child Development and Care. 183(12):1758-1781).

Editor-Reviewed Publications

Winter, M. (under review). Belonging in the most unexpected places: The Milk Club. About Campus.

Winter, M. K., (2024, March, 23rd). Find you moai: Connect and thrive. National

Wellness Institute. https://nwijournal.com/find-your-moai-connect-and-thrive/

Winter, M.K, (2023, June 7th). Foster Positive Mental Health: Tried and True

Strategies. National Wellness Institute. https://nwijournal.com/fostering-positive-mental-health-tried-and-true-strategies/

Presentations

International Presentations

Winter, M. K. (accepted for presentation). Let’s play: Engaging college students in mini play sessions, perspectives on play. Poster submitted for presentation at the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) Conference, November 2025, Auckland, New Zealand.

Winter, M. K. (accepted for presentation). Inviting curiosity: Exploring lingering questions through I Wonder projects. Poster submitted for presentation at the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) Conference, November 2025, Auckland, New Zealand.

Uno, J., Winter, M. K., McSweeney, J., &. (accepted for presentation). New horizons of belonging: Disciplinary approaches to building classroom community. Paper submitted for presentation at the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) Conference, November 2025, Auckland, New Zealand.

Winter, M. K., & Hone, E. (2020, January 4–7). Infusing diversity into elementary education methods courses. Presentation at the International Education Conference, Honolulu, HI.

National Presentations

Winter, M. K. (to be presented Sept. 18-19, 2025). Play with purpose: A pedagogical tool for student wellness. Accepted to be presented at the 32nd Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Summit, Kennesaw State University, September 18–19, 2024, Kennesaw, GA.

Winter, M. K. (to be presented Sept. 18-19, 2025). An invitation to wonder: Engaging students in reflection and inquiry. Accepted to be presented at the 32nd Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Summit, Kennesaw State University, September 18–19, 2024, Kennesaw, GA.

Small, E., & Winter, M.K. (to be presented Sept. 18th, 2025). Navigating the Joy, Chaos, and Tensions of Enacting SoTL. Accepted to be presented at the 32nd Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Summit, Kennesaw State University, September 18–19, 2024, Kennesaw, GA.

Small, E., Varker, F., & Winter, M. K. (2024). Strategies for creativity, relationships, and community beyond class. Presented at the Teaching and Learning Conference, Elon University, Elon, NC.

Winter, M. K. (2025, February 3–5). Play in the classroom: It’s not just fun. It’s evidence-based. Presented at the Critical Questions in Education Conference, The Academy of Educational Studies, Savannah, GA.

Barnatt, J., & Winter, M. K. (2015, February 16). Creating a global community: A study of global competency in teacher candidates. Presented at the Association of Teacher Educators Conference, Phoenix, AZ.

Barnatt, J., & Winter, M. K. (2013, April). Understanding the global educator. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.

State and Regional Presentations

Winter, M. K. (2023, September 29). Putting you first: Creating healthy habits one step at a time. Presented at the Women in Educational Leadership Conference, Greensboro, NC.

Winter, M. K., & Aurentz, M. (2022, March). Where are all of the graphic novels? An exploration of prevalence and usage in today’s classrooms. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Winter, M. K., & O’Neill, K. (2022, March). An exploration of the prevalence and usage of hi-lo texts in today’s classrooms. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Winter, M. K., & Bryan, A. (2022, March). Oral history project – Building classroom community through oral history. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Bryan, A., & Winter, M. (2022, October 6–8). The power of a name. Presented at the North Carolina School Library Media Association Annual Conference, Winston-Salem, NC

Winter, M. K., & O’Neill, K. (2019, March 31). Strategies to motivate reluctant readers. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Winter, M. K., & O’Neill, K. (2018, March 18). Interests and motivations of struggling readers. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Winter, M. K., & Hone, E. (2018, March 18). Using literacy to support math instruction. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Hone, E., & Winter, M. K. (2017, October 22). Utilizing literacy to support effective math instruction. Presented at the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators Conference, Concord, NC.

Hone, E., & Winter, M. K. (2017, November 2). Utilizing literacy to support effective math instruction. Presented at the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Greensboro, NC.

Winter, M. K., & Barlekamp, S. (2016, March 15). Using new literacies to engage students in the writing process. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Winter, M. K., & Barnatt, J. (2015, March 15–17). Connecting the world through literacies. Presented at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Hollingsworth, H., & Winter, M. K. (2013, September 12–14). Pretend play: How teachers support it and how they involve families. Session presented at the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (NCaeyc) 60th Anniversary Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Barnatt, J., & Winter, M. K. (2013, February). Using paired fiction and nonfiction texts in the elementary classroom to explore world cultures. Presented at the North Carolina Council for Social Studies Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Winter, M. K., & Long, B. (2011). Inquiring minds want to know… Inquiry-based projects in the preschool years. Presented at the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Study Conference, Raleigh, NC.

Local and Institutional Presentations

Winter, M. K. (2024, October). Mindful moments: Cultivating joy. Presented at the Fall Advisory Board Meeting, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, Elon University, Elon, NC.

Winter, M. K. (2024, April). Putting you first: Creating healthy habits one step at a time. Presented at the Clinical Teaching Training, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, Elon University, Elon, NC.

Winter, M. K. (2023, October 17). Whole foods unveiled: Unleashing the power of nutrient-rich eating. Presented at HealthEU Day, Elon University, Elon, NC.

Winter, M. K., & Mandell, C. (2023, March 21). Crowding out processed foods: Eat real food and feel better now. Presented at HealthEU Day, Elon University, Elon, NC.

Winter, M. K. (2023, March 24). Panelist, ROAR Women’s Symposium. Alamance Chamber of Commerce, Burlington, NC.

Hone, E., & Winter, M. K. (2019, May 1). Infusing diversity into elementary education methods courses. Presented at Celebrate Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Elon University, Elon, NC.

Winter, M. K., Henry, L., & Pardue, M. (2014, December 12). Infusing technology into the writing process for elementary school age students. Presented at the ABSS/Elon Writing Professional Development Day, Elon, NC.

Winter, M. K., Nash, K., & Rudd, P. (2014, March 10). Restoration and research in real time: Bringing an 1870’s one-room schoolhouse back to life. Presented at the Librarians Association at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.

Winter, M. K. (2013, March). Project-based learning in the preschool years. Presented at the Triad Teaching Fellows Education Conference, Greensboro, NC.