Rate My Professor Dana Robertson

Dana A. Robertson is the Director of the School of Education and a Professor of Reading and Literacy at Virginia Tech, where he also serves as the program leader for the Reading and Literacy Education Program. He joined Virginia Tech in 2021 as an associate professor of reading/literacy and elementary education. Prior to this, Robertson was an associate professor in the School of Teacher Education at the University of Wyoming, Executive Director of the Literacy Research Center and Clinic from 2015 to 2021, and holder of the Everett D. and Elizabeth Lantz Distinguished Professorship in Education from 2019 to 2021. With 11 years of K-12 experience as a fifth-grade teacher, K–5 literacy specialist, and literacy coach, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a Doctor of Education in Language and Literacy from Boston University.

Robertson's research focuses on classroom discourse and oral language, comprehension instruction, reading and writing challenges, literacy coaching, and teacher professional learning, emphasizing equitable and sustainable practices. At the University of Wyoming, he collaborated on developing a dual immersion curriculum on the Wind River Reservation to revitalize the Northern Arapaho language and culture. He has co-authored two books, co-edited Innovations in Literacy Professional Learning: Strengthening Equity, Access, and Sustainability (2023, with Leigh A. Hall and Cynthia H. Brock), and published in journals such as Journal of Literacy Research, Theory Into Practice, Professional Development in Education, The Reading Teacher, Reading Psychology, Language Arts, Voices From the Middle, and Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. His honors include Emerging Scholar designation from the Reading Hall of Fame and University of Wyoming awards: Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award, Marvin Millgate Engaged Faculty Award, and Mary Garland Early Career Fellowship. Robertson serves as President of the International Literacy Association for 2025–2026, chairs its Research Committee, and was a contributing author to the International Literacy Association’s Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals (2017). A frequent presenter at national and international conferences, he advances evidence-based literacy instruction through research, professional leadership, and contributions to policy and practice documents.