Marla Robertson

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Associate Professor, Literacy/Elementary Education, & Director of Undergraduate Elementary Education


Marla K. Robertson

Contact Information

Office Location: USU Uintah Basin-Vernal
Phone: 940-368-9751
Email: marla.robertson@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

PhD, Reading Education, (Curriculum and Instruction), Texas Woman's University, 2014
Influences on Teacher Decision-Making about Writing Instruction in a High-Stakes Writing Assessment Grade
Med, Education, Southern Utah University, 2008
Literacy Program for At-Risk 3rd Grade Readers
BS, Business Management, (Business Composite, Computer Science), Brigham Young University, 1982

Licensures & Certifications

Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) , Utah State Board of Education, 2022
Certificate in Effective College Education (ACUE), The Association of College and University Educators and the American Council on Education, 2022
Master Teacher Certificate, Empowering Teaching Excellence, 2021
Teaching Scholar Certificate, Empowering Teaching Excellence, 2021
Human Systems Dynamics Professional, Human Systems Dynamics Institute, 2014
Reading Specialist (EC-12), Texas Education Agency, 2014
Literacy Lessons, Reading Recovery Council of North America, 2012
English Language Arts and Reading (4-8), Texas Education Agency, 2009
English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-12), Texas Education Agency, 2008
Texas Teacher Certificate: Generalist (EC-4), Texas Education Agency, 2008
Utah Teacher Certificate (1-8; Level 3), Utah Education Association, 2005

Biography

I am an Assistant Professor in Elementary and Literacy Education assigned to the Uintah Basin Campus. I typically teach Elementary Education Language Arts methods courses, along with other Elementary Education courses. I also teach graduate level courses in the Reading Specialist Endorsement and other research courses including Qualitative Research at the doctoral level.

Teaching Interests

My major interest is in teaching writing in the elementary and secondary classroom as well as teaching courses for a Reading Endorsement. I also work on professional development for school districts in reading and writing instruction. I am also interested in teaching graduate level literacy or qualitative research methods courses.

Research Interests

I am interested in teacher decision-making, adaptive and reflective teaching, and professional development, particularly related to writing and reading instruction. Most of my research uses qualitative research methods.

Awards

Outstanding Supervisor of the Year, 2021

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Utah State University-Uintah Basin 2018 Outstanding Teacher, 2018

Utah State University-Uintah Basin

Finalist for 2015 Outstanding Dissertation Award, 2016

International Literacy Association


    Publications | Book Chapters

  • Robertson, M., Piotrowski, A., (2019). Authentic Inquiry with Undergraduate Preservice Teachers in Synchronous Interactive Video Conferencing Courses: Educational Technology and Resources for Synchronous Learning in Higher Education. IGI Global
  • Robertson, M., Patterson, L., Wickstrom, C., (2016). Powerful Writing Instruction: Seeing, Understanding, and Influencing Patterns: Literacy Research, Practice and Evaluation Volume 7: Writing Instruction to Support Literacy Success. Emerald Group Publishing Limited
  • Smith, J.M, Robertson, M., (2016). Going beyond text structure in informational text: It’s more than just a table of contents and an index. : Literacy Summit Yearbook Volume 2 . International Literacy Association Specialized Literacy Professionals and Texas Association for Literacy Education
  • Semingson, P., Hurlbut, A., Owen, D., Robertson, M., (2016). Scaffolding digital writing and storytelling in online-only teacher education courses: Handbook of Research on Learner-Centered Pedagogy in Teacher Education and Professional Development . IGI Global

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Journal Articles

Academic Journal

  • Geffeney, S.L, Williams, B.L, Robertson, M.R, Hanifin, C.T, (2025). Learning Gains Associated with a Novel Approach to Undergraduate Research: Benefits of a Course-Like Undergraduate Research Experience (CLURE). Journal of College Science Teaching/National Science Teaching Association, 1-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/0047231X.2025.2579568
  • Deliman, A., Smith, J., Robertson, M.K, Bunnell, G., De Oliveira, J., (2024). The Texts, The Tasks, The Talk: Reading, Discussing, and Exploring Children’s Literature. The Dragon Lode, 42:2, 47-57.
  • K.A, Jones, C.D, Robertson, M., (2024). Evidence-Based Practices to Enliven Integrated Reading-to-Writing Instruction . THe Reading Teacher, 77:6, 909-917. doi: doi:10.1002/trtr.2321
  • Turner, R.K, Deliman, A., Robertson, M.K, (2023). Curriculum Integration Using Picturebooks: Combining Language Arts and Social Studies Standards to Address Controversial Issues. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 36:1, 27-32.
  • Robertson, M., Robertson, M., (2022). Transforming curriculum: A process for implementing problem-based learning in a college-level course. . Journal of Empowering Teaching Excellence, 6:1
  • Robertson, M., Piotrowski, A., Smith, J., (2022). Connecting Inquiry, Research, and Technology: The Multigenre Digital Inquiry Project. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching/Sciedu Press, 11:2, 99-112. doi: https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v11n2p99
  • Smith, J., Robertson, M., (2021). (Info)Graphically Inclined: A Framework of Infographic Learning. The Reading Teacher; International Literacy Association, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1966
  • Robertson, M., Smith, J.M, (2020). Visuals and text in nonfiction: A process for nonfiction author studies. Voices from the Middle/National Council of Teachers of English, 28:2, 37-43.
  • Robertson, M., Sharp, L., Raymond, R., Piper, R., (2020). An Exploration of Teacher Preparation Practices with Foundational Knowledge. Northwest Journal of Teacher Education, 15:3, Article 2. doi: 10.15760/nwjte.2020.15.3.2
  • Sharp, L.A, Robertson, M.K, Raymond, R.D, Piper, R.E, Piotrowski, A., Bender-Slack, D., Young, T., (2020). Meeting Standards 2017? A national survey of classroom teacher preparedness for literacy instruction. i.e.: inquiry in education, 12:1, Article 10.
  • Smith, J., Robertson, M.K, (2019). Navigating Award-Winning Nonfiction Children's Literature. The Reading Teacher; International Literacy Association; Wiley, 73:2, 195-204. doi: 10.1002/trtr.1811
  • Sharp, L., Robertson, M., Piper, R., (2019). How do literacy teacher educators engage as literacy leaders?. The Advocate, 25:1, doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2637-4552.1134
  • Smith, J., Robertson, M., (2018). Exploring one preservice teacher’s emerging pedagogical beliefs during an online book club. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 13:2, 78-90.
  • Robertson, M., Patterson, L., Briggs, C., Simpson, A., (2018). Reading Recovery and complex adaptive systems: Widening circles for sustainable implementation. . Reading Recovery of North America18(2), 43-57.
  • Smith, J., Robertson, M., (2017). Influence of online book clubs on pre-service teacher beliefs and practices. International Literacy Association Special Interest Group-Professors of Reading Teacher Educators (Dunbar), 40:2, Article 22.
  • Piotrowski, A., Robertson, M., (2017). Engagement Across the Miles: Using Videoconferencing With Small Groups in Synchronous Distance Courses. Journal of Empowering Teaching Excellence, 1:2, Article 8. doi: https://doi.org/10.26077/xks7-8833
  • Robertson, M., Patterson, L., (2016). Complexity, Conceptual Models, and Teacher Decision-making Research. Emergence: Complexity and Organization, 18:2, doi: 10.emerg/10.17357.fa6ec4e6ef0c66be07c001a2a0d474c0
  • Robertson, M., The Power of a Formative Experiment in an Inclusion Science Education Classroom. The Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities.

Professional Journal

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Other

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Teaching

ELED 4049 - Foundations of Reading Review, Fall 2025
TEAL 6310 - Multi-Component Literacy Instruction and Interventions, Fall 2025
ELED 5030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Fall 2025
ELED 4049 - Foundations of Reading Review, Spring 2025
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention (CI), Spring 2025
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Spring 2025
ELED 4049 - Foundations of Reading Review, Fall 2024
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention (CI), Fall 2024
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Fall 2024
, Spring 2024
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Spring 2024
EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC, EDUC 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770, 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Spring 2024
, Fall 2023
TEAL 7970 - Dissertation Research in Curriculum and Instruction, Fall 2023
ELED 4056 - Elementary Content Practicum, Fall 2023
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2023
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Fall 2023
TEAL 7970 - Dissertation Research in Curriculum and Instruction, Summer 2023
TEAL 7900 - Independent Study, Summer 2023
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Summer 2023
, Spring 2023
TEAL 7970 - Dissertation Research in Curriculum and Instruction, Spring 2023
ELED 4056 - Elementary Content Practicum, Spring 2023
TEAL 6900 - Independent Study, Spring 2023
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Spring 2023
TEAL 6350 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Spring 2023
, Fall 2022
TEAL 7326 - Designing and Conducting Literacy Research: A Capstone Experience, Fall 2022
ELED 4056 - Elementary Content Practicum, Fall 2022
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2022
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Fall 2022
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Fall 2022
, Summer 2022
TEAL 7970 - Dissertation Research in Curriculum and Instruction, Summer 2022
TEAL 7820 - Seminar: Special Topics in Teacher Education and Leadership, Summer 2022
, Spring 2022
ELED 4042 - , Spring 2022
ELED 4056 - , Spring 2022
TEAL 7970 - Dissertation Research for Students in the Research and Evaluation Specialization, Spring 2022
ELED 4056 - Elementary Content Practicum, Spring 2022
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Spring 2022
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2022
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Spring 2022
TEAL 1002 - Assessment for Parprofessionals, Fall 2021
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2021
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Fall 2021
TEAL 6545 - Research in Educational Settings, Summer 2021
, Spring 2021
TEAL 7326 - Designing and Conducting Literacy Research: A Capstone Experience, Spring 2021
ELED 4040, 4041 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Spring 2021
TEAL 6545, 7545 - Research in Educational Settings, Spring 2021
ELED 4030, 4031 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Spring 2021
TEAL 7326 - Designing and Conducting Literacy Research: A Capstone Experience, Fall 2020
ELED 4040, 4041 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2020
ELED 4041, 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2020
ELED 4031, 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Fall 2020
TEAL 6545 - Research for Classroom Teachers, Summer 2020
TEAL 5390, 6390 - Teaching with Literature and Informational Texts, Summer 2020
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Spring 2020
TEAL 6545 - Research for Classroom Teachers, Spring 2020
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Spring 2020
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2019
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Fall 2019
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Summer 2019
TEAL 5390, 6390 - Teaching with Literature and Informational Text, Summer 2019
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Spring 2019
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4042 - Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts (CI), Spring 2019
ELED 4032 - Teaching Language Arts Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4032 - Teaching Language Arts Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4032 - Teaching Language Arts Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4032 - Teaching Language Arts Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4032 - Teaching Language Arts Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4032 - Teaching Language Arts Practicum, Spring 2019
ELED 4032 - Teaching Language Arts Practicum, Spring 2019
TEAL 7326 - Designing and Conducting Literacy Research: A Capstone Experience, Fall 2018
ELED 4040 - Reading Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2018
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts and Practicum Level III, Fall 2018
TEAL 6390 - Teaching with Literature and Informational Texts, Summer 2018
TEAL 6390 - Teaching with Literature and Informational Texts, Summer 2018
ELED 3100 - Classroom Reading Instruction, Spring 2018
TEAL 6545 - Research for Classroom Teachers, Spring 2018
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts and Practicum Level III, Spring 2018
ELED 3100 - Classroom Reading Instruction, Fall 2017
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts and Practicum Level III, Fall 2017
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Summer 2017
ELED 3100 - Classroom Reading Instruction, Spring 2017
ELED 3100 - Classroom Reading Instruction, Spring 2017
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts and Practicum Level III, Spring 2017
ELED 3005 - Beginning Classroom Management, Fall 2016
ELED 4005 - Intermediate Classroom Management, Fall 2016
ELED 4030 - Teaching Language Arts and Practicum Level III, Fall 2016

Graduate Students Mentored

Polly Parkinson, Teacher Education & Leadership, December 2022 - December 2025
Carrie Ashcraft, Teacher Education & Leadership, August 2018 - August 2022
Georgia Bunnell, Teacher Education & Leadership, October 2019 - February 2022
Ashley Strong, Teacher Education & Leadership, January 2017 - December 2021
K. Lea Priestley, Teacher Education & Leadership, June 2017 - May 2020
Tara Ivie, Teacher Education & Leadership, July 2018 - December 2019
Laura Reina, Teacher Education & Leadership, January 2017 - August 2018
Marianne Evans, Teacher Education & Leadership, October 2016 - May 2018