Dr. Hannah Kennedy is an Assistant Professor in Teacher Education at Samford University. Prior to joining the faculty at Samford, Kennedy spent 10 years as an educator in the field of Early Childhood Special Education. She has taught as an Adjunct Professor in Teacher Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of West Alabama. 

Kennedy’s teaching focuses on undergraduate and graduate courses in Child Development, Special Education Methods, and Assessments. Her research interests pertain to inclusive practices in the early childhood special education setting. Her research and presentations focus on effective teacher preparation in the context of service learning, faith integration, special education practices, and inclusive strategies. 

Kennedy shares her commitment to children, education, and faith integration in her teaching, service, and scholarship at Samford University.

Degrees and Certifications

• PhD in Early Childhood Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• MAE in Early Childhood Special Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• BA in Communicative Disorders & Early Childhood Education, University of Alabama

Honors and Awards 

• “Most Outstanding Alumni Award”, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2021
•  “Most Outstanding Doctoral Student”, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2020 
• Selected for Doctoral Student Leadership Cohort, National Early Childhood Personnel Center, 2019- 2020 
• Teacher of the Year, Nominee, 2021-2022, Cherokee Bend Elementary School, Mountain Brook Schools
• Teacher of the Year, 2017-2018, Westside Elementary School, Demopolis City Schools 

Recent Presentations 

• Scarborough, K., Kennedy, H., & Shepard, T. (May 2024) What Does Our Work Say About God’s Story? Promising Practices for Integrating Faith and Work for Preservice Teachers. International Christian Community for Teacher Education, Wenham, MA.
• Kennedy, H., Scarborough, K., Shepard, T. (May 2024) Promoting Character Development through Partnerships in Special Education. Higher Education Character Convening, Pensacola, FL. 
• Kennedy, H. (2024). Building & Supporting Community Partnerships through Service Learning in Teacher Education. Alabama NAME Conference.  University of Montevallo. Montevallo, AL. 
• Kennedy, H., Williams, A.G., & Cruise, M. (2024). A Shared Literacy Experience: Promoting Growth through Higher Education Partnerships in Special Education. Higher Education Reading Symposium. University of North Alabama. Florence, AL. 
• Kennedy, H. & Scarborough, K. (2023). Books and Beyond: Building a Community of Character. Communities Cultivating Character Conference.  University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa, AL.
• Kennedy, H. & Scarborough, K. (2023). Promoting Character, Community, & Inclusion. Alabama Early Intervention & Preschool Conference. Mobile, AL. 

Recent Publications

• Kennedy, H., Scarborough, K., & Jurgenson, K. (2023) Foundational literacy within content areas: a practitioner’s guide. The Reading Paradigm 16(1), 40-44.
• Kennedy, H., Birkenfeld, K., & Hoaglund, A.  (2023). Commitment to the Learner. In The Commitment-Based Teacher: Cultivating Professional Character for Lasting Impact. essay, Kendall Hunt. 
• Kennedy, H., Hoaglund, A., & Birkenfeld, K. (2023). Commitment to Professionalism. In: The Commitment-Based Teacher: Cultivating Professional Character for Lasting Impact. essay, Kendall Hunt.