Donna M. Poljanec, Ph.D. began her teaching career in 1972 by teaching reading on an interdisciplinary team at the middle school level in Maryland. She earned her Masters in Reading at Towson State University and worked as a reading specialist in two districts before a faculty appointment at Clarion University in 1980. Her Ph.D. is from the University of Pittsburgh and until her recent retirement from Clarion University she taught literacy courses to undergraduate pre-service teachers and graduate courses for reading specialists.
Dr. Poljanec held numerous elected leadership positions at Clarion University including President of Faculty Senate, Chair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, and Chair of the Education Department. In a partnership with Dr. Rita Bean from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Poljanec served as the Clarion co-director of a successful four year Eisenhower Grant for primary teachers entitled Literacy Educators Assessing and Developing Early Reading Success (LEADERS).
Donna is a member of the International Reading Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, the Keystone State Reading Association and Seneca Reading Council. She has held leadership positions and presented for a variety of national and regional associations. Dr. Poljanec also trained tutors for Americorps, served as a consultant to school districts and provided professional development for teachers.
Dr. Poljanec lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband. She loves to travel and meet new people. She is committed to learning, and believes in teachers and their ability to make a difference in the lives of their students.
Dr. Donna M. Poljanec
poljanecd@yahoo.com
