Dr. Annette VanAken joined the Concordia University Chicago community in 2017 as an assistant professor within the College of Graduate Studies.

Previously she taught undergraduate level courses at Elmhurst College, Triton College, and Thiel College. Prior to earning her doctoral degree, Dr. VanAken was a public and private school teacher, working as a director of an early childhood center, and teacher of children from preschool to the eighth grade for 19 years. She holds a doctorate from Liberty University in Curriculum and Instruction, a masters degree from the University of Southern Indiana in Elementary Education, and a bachelors degree from Hillsdale College in Early Childhood Education, Art, and English. Currently, she is a member of the ISBE peer review team, consultant, and board member.

Degrees

  • EdD, Curriculum and Instruction - Liberty University; Lynchburg, VA
  • MS, Elementary Education - University of Southern Indiana; Evansville, IN
  • BA, Early Childhood Education - Hillsdale College; Hillsdale, MI

Academic and Professional Highlights

Prior Positions

  • Concordia University Chicago, Illinois, Assistant Professor, College of Graduate Studies, Department of Literacy and Early Childhood Education, 2017 – Present
  • Elmhurst College, Illinois, Adjunct Professor, Elmhurst College Education and History Department, 2017 – 2018
  • Triton College, River Grove, Illinois, Adjunct Professor, Triton College Education Department, 2017.
  • Thiel College, Greenville, Pennsylvania, Adjunct Professor, Thiel College Education Department, 2014 - 2016
  • Hillsdale Public Schools, Hillsdale, Michigan, First Grade Teacher, Bailey Elementary, 2005 -2009
  • Albion Public Schools, Albion, Michigan, First Grade Teacher, Harrington Elementary, 2003 -2005, First and Second Grade Cluster Teacher, Albion Open School, 2002 -2003, First Grade Teacher, Crowell Elementary, 1999 - 2002

Research

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Reading Acquisition, Attitudes, and Behaviors
  • Use of Technology for Reading Instruction

Publications

  • VanAken, A. M. & Pawl, K. (2022, April). Reimagining the reader as a writer using wordless books during shared reading. IRC Communicator.

  • VanAken, A. M. (2021). Using ebooks to support reading in early childhood: What do the data suggest. IL ASCD Quarterly Journal 67(3), 16-23.

  • VanAken, A. (Spring 2021). Mental health matters. DLECE Newsletter.

  • VanAken, A. (2020). The temporal, social, and physical environment as applications of the whole child tenets in early childhood. [Column]. Lutheran Education Journal, https://lej.cuchicago.edu/columns/supporting-the-temporal-social-and-physical-environments-of-young-children/

  • VanAken, A. (2019). The temporal, social, and physical environment as applications of the whole child tenets in early childhood. IL ASCD Quarterly Journal, 65(3).

  • VanAken, A. (2018). Effects of reading instruction through the use of ebooks for young readers. Lutheran Education Journal, 148(2), 7-26.

  • VanAken, A., Ryan, T. Howlett, J., Callaghan, J., Fahey, A., Hoffman, D., Vitek, D., Sutton, S., Sinclair, K., Cheng, E., & Cassidy, T. (2018). ICCP Strategic Plan: IC Publication.

Presentations

  • VanAken, A.  (August, 2026). Rethinking Whole Brain Development: How Educators Create Social, Temporal, and Physical Environments. [Presenter]. CLEF. River Forest, Illinois. 

  • VanAken, A. (March, 2025). Unpacking Oracy: Enhancing Literacy Practices through Intentional Implementation. Center for Christian Education - Spring 25 PD Series. 

  • VanAken, A. & Lewis, G.  (March, 2025). Unpacking Oracy: Enhancing Literacy Practices through Intentional Implementation [Presenter]. IRC Conference, Springfield, IL.

  • VanAken, A. & Pawl, K.  (March, 2025). How to Create Feedback that Feeds Student Growth [Presenter]. IRC Conference, Springfield, IL.

  • VanAken, A. & Pawl, K.  (March, 2024). Vocabulary Deep Dive: The Importance of Using Vocabulary to Buidl Language Comprehension Across Disciplines in Early Childhood-Primary Grade Classrooms. [Presenter]. Illinois Reading Council. Springfield, Illinois. 

  • VanAken, A. (September, 2024). Let's Talk Vocabulary Development. [Presenter]. West Suburban Reading Council. Oak Park, Illinois.

  •  VanAken, A. & Lewis, G.  (March, 2023). Formative Feedback Loop in a Formative Assessment Framework. [Presenter]. Illinois Reading Council. Springfield, Illinois. 

  •  VanAken, A. & Pawl, K.  (March, 2023). Reimagining the Reader as a Writer Using Wordless Books During Shared Reading. [Presenter]. Illinois Reading Council. Springfield, Illinois.

  • Executive functions and early mathematics. [Presenter]. LCMS Early Childhood Consultants Conference, Concordia University Chicago. April 2019.