Skip to main content
    Kent State University logo
    • Apply
    • Visit
    • Give Now
    • FlashLine Login
    • Calendars
    • Phone Directory
    • Maps & Directions
    • Search
    Healthy Communities Research Institute
    Menu Search
    • About
    • People
      Close
      • People Overview
      • Leadership/Administration
      • Faculty and Staff by Research Area
      • Fellow Program
      • Steering Committee
      • Student Members
      • Affiliate Members
    • Join HCRI
    • Funded Projects
    • Initiatives
    • Events
    • Featured Research
    • News
      Close
      • News Overview
      • Newsletters
    • FlashLine Login
    • Calendars
    • Phone Directory
    • Maps & Directions
    • Search
    • Apply
    • Visit
    • Give Now
    Live Chat
    Jackie Ridley, Ph.D.

    Jackie Ridley

    Assistant Professor
    Contact Information
    Email:
    jridley2@kent.edu
    Phone:
    330-672-0635

    Biography

    I am an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood and Literacy Education in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies. I research the language and literacy practices of young refugee and immigrant-background youth, an interest born from my experience as an elementary English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Northeast Ohio and overseas in Thai-Burmese refugee camps. As a teacher educator and a classroom researcher, I am committed to preparing all educators to be effective in today’s increasingly multilingual classrooms. Outside of my work at KSU, I am involved in local and national advocacy efforts to support English learners and I present at professional development workshops, teacher in-service trainings, and academic conferences on best practices for supporting multilingual students.

    Education

    Ph.D. Education, Specialization in Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education, The Ohio State University
    M.A. in Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University
    M.A. in Religious Studies, Trinity International University
    B.S. Ed in Elementary and Kindergarten Education, Minor in Spanish, and Certification in TESOL, Pennsylvania State University

    Publications

    • Rowe, L., Ridley, J., et al. (2023) Engaging with engagement: Interrogating preservice teachers’ theories of engagement in their literacy planning and reflection. Action in Teacher Education, 00. https://doi.org/10.1080/01626620.2023.2293184
    • Ridley, J., & King, N. (2023). “I have meaningful work.” Crafting teaching and advocacy at an ESL after-school program. Tesol Journal, 00, e729. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.729
    • Ridley, J. (2022). Protestation and piggybacking: Strategic participation in an ESL book group. Literacy Research and Instruction, 64(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/19388071.2022.2130116

    Documents

    PDF icon Ridley CV 2024 February.pdf
    Healthy Communities Research Institute
    Kent campus illustration

    Explore

    • About
    • Academics
    • Admissions
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campus Safety
    • Jobs & Employment
    • Life at KSU
    • Locations
    • News
    • Our Research

    Need Help?

    • Request Admissions Information
    • Website Feedback

    Policies and Compliance

    • Annual Security Reports
    • Campus Concerns Reporting
    • HEERF CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Act Reporting and Disclosure
    • Privacy Statement
    • Senate Bill 1 Compliance
    • Web Accessibility

    Contact

    Phone

    330-672-3321

    Email

    hcri@kent.edu

    Address

    122 Cartwright Hall
    Kent, OH 44242

    HCRI LinkedIn
    HCRI Instagram
    Kent State University logo
    © 2026 Kent State University All rights reserved.