Bland’s interests include inclusive practices in the primary grades, collaboration
among school professionals, and diversity in children’s literature. She has presented
her work on the representation of disability in picture books at local, regional,
and national conferences. Bland teaches courses in instructional methodology in mathematics,
language arts, science, and social studies. She also supervises and mentors pre-service
elementary teachers during their field experiences in area elementary schools.
Bland is a founding member of the faculty leadership team for the Schoolhouse Learning
Community, where students pursuing teacher licensure share the same residence hall
and take part in social activities, service projects, and professional learning together.
Bland works closely with students in the Schoolhouse to prepare them for careers in
public education.
Bland has been published in Early Childhood Research & Practice and Childhood Education. She contributed to a chapter in A Survival Guide for New Special Educators.. She holds a Postgraduate Professional License to teach in Virginia with endorsements
in Early Childhood Special Education and Early/Primary Education, PreK – Grade 3.
Over the course of her teaching career in public schools, she has worked in literacy
labs, school libraries, special education, a Virginia Preschool Initiative classroom,
and first grade.
