Jennifer
Bacon
jbacon@naropa.edu
Associate Dean, Naropa College | Associate Professor Core Candidate, Elementary Education
Core Faculty
Programs
BA in Elementary Education - Core Faculty
Education
Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, University of Maryland, College Park
M.Ed. Special Education, University of Virginia
B.A. Human Development, Mount Vernon College
Received Advanced Professional Certificate from Maryland
Biography
Jennifer N. Bacon earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University
of Maryland, College Park, and her M.Ed. in Special Education from the University
of Virginia. "Dr. B" has taught preschool-age children through graduate school domestically
and abroad. She has served as an associate professor and practicum coordinator in
the BA in Elementary Education Program at Naropa University and is a former assistant
professor of special education, special education inclusion and self-contained teacher,
and special education department chairperson. In addition to her extensive experience
in education, Dr. B is trained in the use of poetry therapy, spiritual guidance, and
yoga; she is also an interfaith minister.
Her areas of expertise include exceptional learners, culturally responsive pedagogy,
holistic education, expressive/creative arts, and literacy in global education. Dr.
B is also strongly connected to African American women’s writing for empowerment,
voice, social change, and spiritual expression. Deeply committed to addressing issues
of overrepresentation in special education, racial and gender equity, and writing
for social justice, she participates in a number of professional associations and
mentoring organizations.
Recent Publications
Books
Bacon, J.N. (2014). Sisters of the dissertation house: A dissertation narrative. Stillwater,
OK: New Forums Press.
Articles
Bacon, J.N. (2019) Casa del Nino. Ballena Tales Magazine. 66, p. 68.
Bacon, J.N. (2017). Writing in solidarity: The lived experience of African American
adolescent girls writing poetry. Journal of Poetry Therapy. 31(3) pp.1-14.
Bacon, J.N. (2017). A rewarding leap into the unknown. Yoga Therapy Today, 13 (3)
p. 30.
Bacon, J.N. (2016). Using culturally responsive and inclusive poetry groups with
diverse teens. Florida Reading Journal, 51 (3) pp. 18-27.
Bacon, J.N. (2011). Culturally responsive poetry. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 24 (1) pp.1-15.
Lynn, M., Bacon, J. N., Totten, T., Bridges, T., & Jennings, M. (2010). Examining
teachers’ beliefs about African American students in a low performing high school:
The impact on African American males. Teachers College Record, 112 (1) pp. 289-330.
Recently, Dr. Bacon authored the holistic children's eBook, Aleta's Feelings During the Coronavirus for young children during the pandemic. This free digital children's book is available
on Naropa's Elementary Education Program website.