Dr. Leighann Pennington, Ed.D. is an experienced classroom teacher and has taught English/Language Arts and History with students in grades 2-8. In the past, she earned a B.A. in English: Creative Writing from Miami University of Ohio. Her past educational experiences include a M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and Gifted Education and doctorate in education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia.
Courses Taught
EDUC 103: Teaching, Learning, and Human Development
EDUC 245: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
EDUC 325: Literacy Development I
EDUC 327: Literacy Development II
EDUC 333: Reading in the Content Areas
EDUC 421: Concepts in Educational Research
Publications
Selected Publications
Books & Monographs
Beasley, J.G., Briggs, C., Imbeau, M. & Pennington, L.N. (2015). Engaging and challenging
curriculum: Supporting advanced and gifted learners. NAGC Select publication.
Pennington, L.N. (2011). Experience poetry. In M.B. Imbeau (Ed.), Parallel Curriculum Units -
for Grades K-5. (pp.75-113). Corwin Press.
Pennington, L.N. (2010). Engaging gifted boys in reading and writing. In J.L. Jolly (Ed.),
Parenting Gifted Children (pp.476-485). Prufrock Press, Inc.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Mahoney, K.R., Patrick, J., Pennington, L.N., Brown, A.C., Moon, T.R., & Brighton, C.M.
(2021). Designing and implementing interactive, collaborative family literacy events.
Gifted Child Today.
Brown, A.C., Pennington, L.N., Patrick, J. (2020, March 26). The three Cs shape changemakers. ASCD Express, 15(14).
Beasley, J.G., Briggs, C., & Pennington, L.N. (2017). Bridging the gap 10 years later: A tool
and technique to analyze and evaluate advanced academic curricular units. Gifted Child
Today, 40(1), 48-58.
Grants, Fellowships, and Awards
2020: Curriculum Studies Award, National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Color Vision curricular unit. Co-authors: Pennington, L.N., Brown, A.C., Patrick, J., Mahoney, K.R., Brighton, C., & Moon, T.R.
2019: Snyder-Crumpacker Graduate Fellowship, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
2007: Curriculum Studies Award, National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Experience Poetry curricular unit.
2007: Grant for Innovative Ideas, Virginia Association for the Gifted (VAG). Pennington, L.N.
& Jarvis, J.M.
Over the years, Dr. Pennington has taught in both public and independent schools and with students in summer enrichment and online programs. Her experiences prepare her well for the challenge of inspiring young future educators at Sweet Briar College. She greatly enjoys helping to prepare future teachers for the joys and complexities of today’s K-12 classrooms.
In addition to K-12 classroom teaching, Dr. Pennington has worked for many years with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth (CTY) summer programs and CTY Online. She has also written curriculum, assessment, and instructional plans in the educational technology field and served as a content editor. She has a passion for helping all students develop their creativity, potential, and talents. Her research interests include curriculum design and implementation and talent development among students from underrepresented populations.