Auburn College of Education professor is shaping future educators and future readers

In Auburn University’s College of Education, Jennie Baumann is opening doors through literacy.

“Literacy is the key that unlocks everything—reading, writing, speaking and listening,” Baumann said. “Once you learn how to decode and make meaning through text, infinite doors are unlocked for you.”

Baumann, an assistant professor of reading education, is in her second year as an assistant professor in Auburn’s College of Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in K-12 reading education from Bowling Green State University. She earned her doctorate in curriculum, instruction, and teacher education with a concentration in literacy and community engagement from Michigan State University in 2024.

Baumann describes her approach to teaching as authentic, relational and hands-on, inspired by her students’ drive for excellence. She strives to connect all parts of literacy in every lesson, and by the time they have graduated, Baumann’s students have genuine experience in the field from administering reading assessments, reviewing case study data from real students and learning multiple teaching styles and concepts.

 

For Baumann, preparing future educators means providing support both inside and outside of the classroom, even after her students have graduated and moved on from the Plains.

“Being on Team Baumann means it’s not just for the semester, it’s for as long as you want,” she said. “It means you can reach out at any time over email to get mentoring, to get feedback, to know that you’re going to be supported.”

Claudia Wilson, an elementary education student, greatly valued her time in Baumann’s classroom.

“I always felt like she was on my team when I was in her class, and even outside of her class, I feel like she’s on my team,” Wilson said. “The College of Education has prepared me more than I could have ever imagined, and I’m more than prepared for what is to come in my future as an educator.”

Baumann said students like Wilson make Auburn’s College of Education such a special place.

“What I find most rewarding about working with our students here at Auburn is their drive for excellence,” she said. “They are so teachable. It is such a joy to work in the classrooms with them, to see them really step into their teaching roles.”