Sharon Walpole

Professor

Dr. Sharon Walpole is professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. Dr. Walpole designs and studies the effects of professional development on instruction and achievement in literacy. She was director of UD’s Professional Development Center for Educators from 2016-2022.

She works with literacy coaches, reading specialists, and administrators to build schoolwide systems to support teachers, especially those working for children at risk.  She has extensive school-based experience designing and implementing tiered instructional programs.

She is the author of an open-access English Language Arts curriculum, Bookworms K-5 Reading and Writing and 2018 recipient of the Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading award from International Literacy Association.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Reading Education, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 2000
• M.Ed., Reading Education, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1996
• B.A., History, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 1987

Professional Experience

• Director, Professional Development Center for Educators, University of Delaware, 2017–2022
• Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware, 2012–present
• Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware, 2007–2012
• Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware, 2002–2007
• Reading Excellence Act Grant Coordinator, Jackson-Via Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA, 2001–2002

Recent Professional Awards

• Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading, International Literacy Association, 2018
• Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Delaware, 2016
• Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Education and Human Development, University of Delaware, 2016