Dr. Joellen
Maples earned a B.A. in English in 1995, an M.A. in Curriculum &
Instruction in 1996, an Ed.S. in English Education in 1998, and her
Ph.D. in English Education in 2008 from The University of Tennessee
in Knoxville, Tennessee. She taught English, language arts, creative
writing, and reading at the middle and high school levels for eleven
years. Her research interests include exploring effective strategies
for facilitating democratic dialogue and critical literacy through
the reading of young adult literature and online discussion about
literature. Dr. Maples is currently an assistant professor in the
Literacy Department and is the Literacy Center Director. She is also
the Book Review Editor for SIGNAL Journal which is
the journal of the
International Reading Association's Special Interest
Group Network on
Adolescent Literature She teaches
courses in secondary English methods, critical literacy, young adult
literature, content area reading, and action research. When not
teaching or writing, Dr. Maples can be found relaxing with the
latest young adult novel and spending time with her three dogs and
hamster. She also enjoys spinning and boot camp.