Jan Lacina, Ph.D.
j.lacina@tcu.edu817-257-6786
Program Affiliations
Dr. Jan Lacina is a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education, a prolific scholar in literacy and teacher preparation, and an accomplished academic administrator. With a research portfolio that spans literacy development, children’s literature, and educator preparation, Dr. Lacina has made significant contributions to the field with more than 100 published articles and chapters, as well as authoring or editing five books that have shaped educational research and practice. Her most recent edited book, Children’s Literature To Read Our World: Text Selection And Strategies For Critical Reflection, will be published by Routledge in 2026.
Dr. Lacina’s contributions have been recognized with major national and international awards, including the Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator Award from the International Literacy Association, the Notable Books for a Global Society Practitioner Award, the Notable Books for a Global Society Research Award, and fellowships from the International Youth Library (Germany), the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of New Brunswick (Canada), and the Holocaust Museum Houston. She has received both research and teaching awards at TCU.
A senior editorial voice in early childhood and literacy, Dr. Lacina currently serves as Associate Editor of the Early Childhood Education Journal. She previously served as Co-Editor of The Reading Teacher and Editor of the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, among other editorial appointments, helping to shape national and international scholarship in her field.
In administrative roles, Dr. Lacina led programs to earn national recognition for innovation, including the AACTE Best Practice Award in Support of Multicultural Education and Diversity, the AACTE/Southern Poverty Law Center Culturally Responsive Teaching Award, and the ATE Billy G. Dixon Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award. She has been instrumental in developing strategic research-practice partnerships and graduate education initiatives across TCU and beyond.
Her international leadership includes serving as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Literacy Association and as Vice President (2025–2026) and President (2026–2027) of the American Reading Forum. She has served as an English Specialist working with the U.S. Embassy-Israel and the Ministry of Education in Israel. She is a graduate of the Harvard Management Development Program and the AACTE Leadership Academy.
Dr. Lacina began her career as a Texas public school teacher. Today, she remains committed to supporting the next generation of educators and scholars through transformational research, strategic partnerships, and a deep belief in the power of literacy to build a more inclusive and informed society.
Awards
- 2025 Notable Books for a Global Society Practitioner Award, International Literacy Association
- 2025 Visiting Scholar at the International Youth Library, Munich Germany
- 2025, 2024, 2022 Warren Faculty Fellow, Holocaust Museum Houston
- 2024 Eileen Wallace Research Fellowship In Children's Literature, University of New Brunswick, Canada
- 2023 International Literacy Association Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award
- 2023 Excellence in Action: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice Award presented by the Associate & Assistant Deans and Directors of Texas (ADoT) Colleges of Education
- 2023 Ezra Jack Keats/Janina Domanska Research Fellowship, University of Southern Mississippi
- 2023 TCU Dean’s Award for Teaching
- 2023 Finalist, TCU Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership
- 2022 Notable Books for a Global Society Research Award, International Literacy Association
- 2014 Finalist, Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Teacher & Scholar
- 2013 TCU Dean’s Research and Creativity Award
- 2012 Finalist, Dean’s Research and Creativity Award
- 2011 Finalist, Dean’s Research and Creativity Award
- 2001 Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching, Department of Elementary Education, Stephen F. Austin State University
Editorial Leadership
- Associate Editor for the Journal of Early Childhood Education, 2021-present, published by Springer
- Co-Editor for The Reading Teacher, 2015- 2021, published by ILA and Wiley
- Editor for the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 2012-2014, published by ACEI/Taylor & Francis
- Associate Editor for the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 2009-2011, published by ACEI/Taylor & Francis
- Columnist, Technology in the Classroom—published in the journal Childhood Education, 2003-2009
Leadership Positions
- Associate Dean, TCU 2011-present
- Interim Dean, TCU 2019-2020
- Board Member for the American Reading Forum, 2024-2026
- International Ambassador representing the United States for the United Kingdom Literacy Association, present - 2028
- AACTE Holmes Scholars Coordinator, 2020-present
- LBSD College Coordinator, 2020- 2023
- Early Childhood Coordinator, TCU 2006-2009
- Post Baccalaureate Graduate Coordinator, Stephen F. Austin State University 2001-2005
- ESL Coordinator, Stephen F. Austin State University 2000-2005
- Professional Development School (PDS) Site Coordinator 2000-2001
- 2004-2009 Lead NCATE reviewer
Education
Ph.D. University of Kansas
Curriculum & Instruction/TESOL
M.Ed. Texas Woman’s University
Elementary Education
B.S., Baylor University
Interdisciplinary Studies
Lacina, J. (Ed.) (under contract) Children’s literature to read our world: Text selection and strategies for critical reflection. NY: Routledge.
Lacina, J., Penman, A., & Baldikoski, M., (in press). Beyond the book cover: Learning about peritextual features in a book club. Language and Literacy Spectrum.
Lacina, J., Penman, A., & Baldikoski, M., (in press) Engaging children with learning difficulties in a book club. The Reading Professor,49, (1).
Lacina, J., Roberts, S.K. & Crawford, P.A. (2025). Celebrating pathways to joyful and meaningful writing with young children. Early Childhood Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643025-01914-x
Lacina, J. (2024). Peritextual features and racialized space in children’s literature. Language Arts, 102 (1), 39-43.
Crawford P.A., Roberts, S, Lacina J. (2024). Picturebooks and young children: Potential, power, and practices. Early Childhood Education Journal. 1–7.
Lacina, J., & Nakamura, T. (2024). Teaching writing to young children: A review of core reading programs. Literacy Innovation, 9 (2) 58-73.
Lacina, J., Baldikoski, M., & Penman, A. (2024). A club for all: Creating a critical literacy book club. Literacy Today, 42 (1), 68-70.
Lacina, J. (2023), 2022 Notable Books for a Global Society Research Award Winner: Heroes among us: Refugees and Immigrants in Award-Winning Children's Literature. The Reading Teacher. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2222
Bauml, M. Griffith, R., Kyzar, K, & Lacina, J. (2023). The 3C network: An anchor for effective field experiences in educator preparation programs. Young Children, 78(2), 82-89.
Lacina, J., Helling, M., Nakamura, T. & Montgomery, S. (2022). Award winning picture books with refugees & immigrants as main characters: Building understanding and inspiration. Dragon Lode 41(1), 19-26.
Lacina, J. (2022). Motherhood, the Tenure Track & Leadership. In Handbook of Teacher Reflections on Transitioning from K-12 to Higher Education Classrooms. IGI Global Publications.
Lacina, J., & Griffith, R. (2021). Hope for the Future: An Interview With Linda Darling- Hammond. The Reading Teacher, 74(6), 673– 676. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2018
Chamberlain, L., Lacina, J. & Bintz, B., Jimerson, J. & Payne, K. (2020). Literacy in lockdown: learning and teaching in COVID-19 school closures. The Reading Teacher 74 (3).
Lacina, J. & Griffith, R. (Eds.) (2020). Preparing globally minded literacy teachers: Knowledge, practices, and case studies. New York: Routledge.
Lacina, J. & Hults, K. (2019). Using museum photography as a bridge for writing. English in Texas, 49 (1), 46-49.
Lacina, J. (2018). Literacy leadership: Global leaders call for the teaching of writing. English Journal, 107 (4), 59-63.
Lacina, J. & Griffith, R. (2018). Embracing generation 1.5 learners through the teaching of writing. English in Texas, 47(2), 27-30.
Lacina, J. & Griffith, R. (2017). Teaching writing: Literacy coordinators’ views. New England Reading Journal, 52 (2), 11-19.
Lacina, J., Bauml, M. & Taylor, B. (2016). Promoting resilience through read-aloud. Young Children, 71 (2), 16-21.
Lacina, J. (2015). New literacies and comprehension. In Parris, S. & Headley, K. Comprehension Instruction: Research-Based Best Practices (3rd edition). Guilford Press: NY.
Griffith, R. & Lacina, J. (2015). Making In-the-Moment Teaching Decisions: A Matter of Knowledge. Literacy Today. International Literacy Association.
Lacina, J. (2014). Exploring cross cultural friendship in young adolescent literature. Dragon Lode, 33 (1) 63-74.
Lacina, J. & Griffith, R. (2014). Making new friends: Using literature to inspire cross cultural friendship. Literacy Today. International Literacy Association.
Lacina, J. (2014) Learning from poverty and high stakes testing: Developing as a professional educator in Texas. English Journal, 103 (6), 28-32.
Lacina, J. & Stetson, R. (2013). Using children’s literature to support positive classroom behaviors. Young Children.
Lacina, J. & Griffith, R. (2013). Blogging as a means to craft writing. The Reading Teacher.
- Article selected for an International Reading Association’s special publication issue of articles published in 2013 for their “impact on literacy scholarship and practice.”
Lacina, J. & Matthews, S. (2012). Using online storybooks to build comprehension. Childhood Education 88(3), 155-161.
Lacina, J. & Block, C. (2012). Progressive writing instruction for the 21st century: Empowering school leaders and teachers. Voices from the Middle (NCTE), 19(3), 10-17.
Lacina, J. (2012). Best practices for twin placement in school. Young Children, 67(1), 80-83.
Lacina, J. & Block, C. (2012). What matters most in distinguished literacy teacher education programs? Journal of Literacy Research. 43(4), 319-351.
Lacina, J. & Silva, C. (2012). Cases of successful literacy teachers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Last Updated: June 27, 2025