John Ponder, Ph.D.

Dr. John M. Ponder is an Associate Professor of Literacy Instruction in the College of Education.  He is currently serving as the Chair of the Department of Early Childhood Through Secondary Education. During his tenure at the University of West Georgia, he has served in a number of leadership positions.  These include the M.Ed. in Reading Instruction Program Coordinator, the Teaching Fellows Program Director, and the College of Education Graduate Studies Director.  After chairing the Department of Literacy and Special Education for seven years, Dr. Ponder transitioned to the Chair of the Department of Early Childhood Through Secondary Education.  He teaches undergraduate courses for pre-service teachers that focus on effective literacy instruction and assessment.  Prior to moving into higher education, Dr. Ponder began his teaching career as a public school teacher in Louisiana. 

  • B.A., Elementary Education, Louisiana Tech University, 1983
  • M.A., Elementary Education, Louisiana Tech University, 1985
  • Ed.S., Reading Education, Louisiana Tech University, 1989
  • Ph.D., Reading Education, University of Georgia, 1992

Fall 2023 Sections

Spring 2023 Sections

Fall 2022 Sections

Summer 2022 Sections

Spring 2022 Sections

Fall 2021 Sections

Spring 2021 Sections

Fall 2020 Sections

Summer 2020 Sections

  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E20

Spring 2020 Sections

  • READ-4251 (Assess/Correction Read Educ) Section: 01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E20

Fall 2019 Sections

  • READ-4251 (Assess/Correction Read Educ) Section: 04
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E21

Summer 2019 Sections

  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E21

Spring 2019 Sections

  • READ-3262 (Tch Content/Process:Read Educ) Section: 01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E20

Fall 2018 Sections

  • READ-4251 (Assess/Correction Read Educ) Section: 04
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E22

Summer 2018 Sections

  • READ-4252 (Literature in the Middle Sch) Section: E01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E22

Spring 2018 Sections

  • READ-3263 (Integrated Literacy Ed/Writing) Section: 91
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E28

Fall 2017 Sections

  • READ-4253 (The Reading Writing Connection) Section: 01
  • SPED-6791 (Practicum: Interrelated) Section: E01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E15

Summer 2017 Sections

  • READ-4252 (Literature in the Middle Sch) Section: E01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E15

Spring 2017 Sections

  • READ-3263 (Integrated Literacy Ed/Writing) Section: 91
  • READ-4285 (Literacy Project in Belize) Section: 01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E12

Fall 2016 Sections

  • READ-3263 (Integrated Literacy Ed/Writing) Section: 01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E33

Spring 2016 Sections

  • READ-3263 (Integrated Literacy Ed/Writing) Section: 91

Fall 2015 Sections

  • READ-3263 (Integrated Literacy Ed/Writing) Section: 51

Spring 2015 Sections

  • READ-3263 (Integrated Literacy Ed/Writing) Section: 91

Ponder, J. M. & Doheny, C. (2007). If not for points, then why read? Exploring the grandest purpose of literature. Affective Reading Education Journal, 24, 1-5. [View Publication (PDF)]