Teachers College, Columbia University MA, M.Ed., Ed.D
Smith College, A.B.
Areas of Expertise:
Children's Literature, Nonfiction, Literacy
Courses I Teach:
- Digging Down to the Roots : The Meaning of Gardens (first-year seminar)
- Elementary Education Senior Seminar
- Literature for Children and Adolescents, Making Meaning: Content Area Literacy
- Nonfiction in the Elementary Classroom (Graduate)
H.A. Passow Scholar , Teachers College, Columbia University, 1994
Awards:
Senior Class Appreciation Award, Saint Michael's College, 2003
Recipient of 2012 Vermont Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service, Service Learning category, for COTS Book Buddies project.
I am a co-founder of The Teaching Gardens with Professor of Biology Mark Lubkowitz. I study connections between literacy and gardening.
Valerie Bang-Jensen, associate professor of education, was author or co-author of three recent print or online-published articles: “Give us a sign! Third graders interpret their school garden,” in Legacy (July/August 2012), the professional journal of the National Association of Interpretation; and “Reading a garden,” In “Strong Readers All,” Educational Leadership (June, 2012). And, with colleague Mark Lubkowitz, professor of biology, “Books in Bloom,” a monthly column for the National Gardening Association. Valerie and Mark also were part of two recent presentations: “Books and Gardens: Digging Deep,” Vermont State Department of Libraries Dorothy Canfield Fisher Conference, Stowe, VT. May 4, 2012; and “Books in Bloom: Connecting Literature and Botany,” Vermont State Department of Education Kindergarten Conference, Burlington, VT. March 30, 2012. Valerie also received the Governor's Award for Service Learning. She and Mark hosted 35 members of the Burlington Garden Club for a tour on August 22.
Valerie Bang-Jensen, professor of education, presented at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention in Chicago (November 17-22, 2011) on the topic, "How to Read A Garden: A Framework for Garden-Literacy Connections." The convention theme was "Reading the Past, Writing the Future" She also presented during the panel session, "Supporting Students to Transfer Reading skills Ccross Contexts." This combined session invited participants to think about how to get students to connect and apply reading skills in various context areas.