Donna Fortune

Donna Fortune is an Associate Professor of Practice and Elementary Education Program Leader, and Teacher Coordinator for Undergraduate and Graduate Licensure Programs at Virginia Tech. Her 18 years of working with students in the elementary classroom and as a reading specialist serves as the foundation for her instructional focus with preservice educators. She prioritizes including authentic tasks for students to engage in collaborative classroom conversations for learning and applying new content knowledge through inquiry and critical thinking skills. She advocates for social justice practices in all planning and instructional decisions and for creating authentic communication in the classroom environment.

Publications

Mindful Listening Instruction in the Elementary Classroom: Authentic Strategies Using Picturebooks
Donna Jessie Fortune, Mary Alice Barksdale. © 2023. 287 pages.
In today's academic environment, one essential skill that is often overlooked is active listening. While educators dedicate substantial time to teaching reading, writing, and...
Using Virtual Book Clubs to Elevate Discussion and Diverse Voices
Donna Fortune, Paige Horst, Meghan A. Kessler, Mary E. Tackett, Lisa K. Pennington. © 2021. 21 pages.
Preservice teachers in educator preparation programs (EPPs) are rarely cognizant of programmatic structures outside their own EPP. This lack of awareness isolates preservice...