Emily O'Hearn '27 Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Teaching Fellow and Elementary Education major, presented her undergraduate research on math and picture books at the North Carolina Reading Association Annual Conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education presented at the North Carolina Reading Association’s Annual Meeting. Emily O’Hearn ’27, a Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Teaching Fellow and elementary education major, presented her undergraduate research on the inclusion of math concepts in picture books published from 2015-2025 at the NCRA Annual Meeting in Winston-Salem on March 16.
The literacy conference draws classroom teachers, literacy specialists, university faculty, and school librarians from across the state for sessions focused on research and teaching in K-12 literacy.
O’Hearn worked closely with her research mentor, associate professor Lisa Buchanan, throughout the design and implementation of the research study.
“It was fantastic to see Emily, a Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education elementary teacher candidate, engage educators from across the state in an in-depth conversation of her research process and findings, then explore the possibilities of teaching math concepts through picture books,” said Buchanan. “We are so proud to see this level of leadership in the profession from a third-year education major.”
O’Hearn was also the recipient of a generous Grants in Aid Reward from Elon’s Office of Undergraduate Research while conducting this research. The award funded the purchase of research materials.
