She received her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Early Childhood Education. She holds an MEd. from University of Pittsburgh and BS in psychology from Middle East Technical University in Turkey. She previously taught at Brooklyn College, New York University, Long Island University, and Hunter College. Her teaching included a variety of courses including Language and Literacy in Early Childhood, Play, Issues in Early Childhood, and Child Development. Dr Ogrenir also worked in public and private schools in teaching and administrative positions in United States and Turkey.