The focus of her teaching is to support candidates to work with diverse populations of children as young readers, writers, and communicators, both in and out of school. Her research interests include out of school literacy practices, family literacy, and supporting preservice teachers in literacy instruction and culturally responsive practice. She has presented at international and national conferences and has published her research in international and national journals, including Teaching and Teacher Education, Reading Horizons, and Mentoring & Tutoring. She is also the editor of the book, Negotiating Literacy Learning: Exploring the Challenges and Achievements of Struggling Readers, K-6.