Sonja Brandt

Undergraduate Courses:

TL 324 Integrating the Arts in the Elementary Classroom

TL 328 Survey of Children's Literature

TL 409 Reading in the Content Areas

TL 410 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School Classroom (Elementary TEAM Methods)

TL 440 Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School Classroom (Elementary TEAM Methods)

TL 443 Mathematics for Primary Grades 

TL 444 Assessing and Correcting Mathematics Difficulties

Graduate Courses:

TL 524: Reading in the Content Areas

TL 536: Innovations in English Language Arts Instruction

TL 528: Children's and Young Adult Literature in the Classroom 

Dr. Brandt's research is centered on elementary teacher's nonverbal immediacy behaviors during instruction. Her goal is to lead current and preservice teachers to become more aware of their instructional and non-instructional nonverbal behaviors to positively impact student learning and engagement. Across her years at UND, Dr. Brandt has researched and incorporated active learning components into her teachings for university students to experience and then use themselves as they plan lessons and activities for today's preK-12 students. Her newest research endeavors are on the Science of Reading, including co-creating an online professional development course for teachers and redesigning current classes in Teacher Education here at UND.

Publications:

Rabenn, M. & Brandt, S. (in press). A is for asynchronous. eLearn Magazine.

Rabenn, M., & Brandt, S. (2024). Fostering empathy and understanding: The transformative role of diverse children's literature in confronting racism. Language Arts, 101(6), 423 - 425. https://doi.org/10.58680/la20241016423 

Rabenn, M., & Brandt, S. (2023). Shifting North Dakota teacher beliefs about the science of reading through an online asynchronous professional development course. The Reading League Journal, 4(3), 16-20. 

Presentations:

International:

Brandt, S. & Rabenn, M.  (2024, May 13-14). The Transformative Role of Diverse Children's Literature in Confronting Racism [Conference presentation]. Eurasia 5th World Conference on Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education, Vienna, Austria. 

Brandt, S. (2023, January 6). Teaching Methods in U.S. Schools: SEL, School Communities, and Constructivist Teaching. [Virtual presentation]. University of Taxila, Myanmar.

Brandt, S. (2022, September 9). Teaching Methods in U.S. Schools: SEL, School Communities, and Constructivist Teaching. [Virtual presentation]. University of Taxila, Myanmar.

National:

Elahi, S., Raviv, T., Curry, C., Ramos, B., Lever, N., Brandt, S., Grijalva, T. (2024, December 5-7). Examining pre-service educators’ perspectives on a trauma learning series: Comparing live and hybrid training models. [Conference presentation]. National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH), 2024 Advancing School Mental Health Conference, Orland, FL, United States.

Rabenn, M. & Brandt, S. (2024, March 30). Teacher Preparation Programs in North Dakota and Wisconsin Navigate Science of Reading Legislation While Adapting Curriculum and Programs. [Conference presentation]. Journal of Literacy Innovation National Conference, Virtual.

Brandt, S. & Rabenn, M. (2024, March 29). Adapting Curriculum and Programs: Navigating Science of Reading Legislation for Teacher Preparation in North Dakota and Wisconsin. [Roundtable presentation]. Association of Teacher Educators, Anaheim, CA, United States.

Brandt, S. (2021, April). Nonverbal Immediacy During Instruction to Enhance Student Learning. [Conference presentation]. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics National Conference, Virtual.

State/Local :

Brandt, S. & Rabenn, M. (2024, June 19). Digital literacy resources for K-8 student learning. [Conference presentation.] Pages & Pathways: The Science of Learning: Literacy Conference, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND.

Bear, J., Brandt, S., Burgad, A., Conn, D., Theis, C. (2023, August 15). Pioneering solutions: Transforming teacher education to tackle the shortage crisis. [Conference session]Governor's Summit on Innovative Education, West Fargo, ND. 

Leavitt, H. & Brandt, S. (2023, May). Open Education Resources at Community Colleges. [Poster presentation]. College of Education and Human Development Research Conference, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. 

Brandt, S. & Rabenn, M. (2022, August 19). The Science of Reading. [Professional development]. North Border School District, Pembina, ND.

Brandt, S. & Rabenn, M. (2022, June 8, 2022). Digital Structured Literacy Resources. [Conference presentation]. IgniteND Conference on Innovative Curriculum Focused on Computer Science and Cybersecurity, Bismarck, ND.

Brandt, S. (2020, March). Elementary Teachers’ Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors During Math Instruction. [Accepted conference presentation]. ND Council of Teachers of Mathematics STEM Conference, Fargo, ND. (Canceled due to COVID-19)

Brandt, S., Hagen, B., & Peterson. E. (2012). Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in the Elementary School. [Poster presentation]. University of North Dakota Graduate School Scholarly Forum, Grand Forks, ND.

Brandt, S., Hagen, B., & Peterson. E. (2011). Impact of Teacher Anxiety on Student Test Performance. [Poster presentation]. University of North Dakota Graduate School Scholarly Forum, Grand Forks, ND.

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award for the College of Education and Human Development at UND, 2023

Finalist for the Excellence in Service Award for the College of Education and Human Development at UND, 2023

UND Foundation Award for Outstanding Departmental Service for the Department of Teaching, Leadership and Professional Practice (TLPP) at UND, 2020

Dr. Sonja's educational background includes degrees from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN (B.A. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Communication/Language Arts), St. Mary's University of Minnesota (M.A. in Education), and the University of North Dakota (Ph.D. in Teacher Education). Her varied educational experiences at these higher education institutions and working in different school districts across Minnesota has shaped her into the educator she is for teaching elementary students, preservice teachers, and graduate students alike.

Dr. Brandt has 15 years of teaching experience in preschool and elementary classrooms. She comes to UND with prior experience teaching undergraduate courses at UND as well as the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), The Reading League (TRL), and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)

Department 

Elementary Education Department Coordinator (2024-present)

Elementary Education Department Committee (2019-present)

College of Education and Human Development 

Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice (TLPP) Committee (2019-present)

North Dakota Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (NDACTE) (2021-2024)

Essential Skills Teaching & Learning Committee (ESTAL) (2022-23)

Office of Teacher Recruitment and Rentention (OTRR) Faculty Champion (2022-23)

Initiative for Rural Education, Equity, & Economic Development (I-REEED) (2021-2023)

Undergraduate Initial Licensure and Assessment Committee (ILAC) (2020-2024)

Teacher and School Professionals Education Committee (TSPEC) (2019-2023)

University of North Dakota

University Senate (Faculty Senator) (2021-2022)

University Senate Honors Committee (2020-2021)

Alice T. Clark/UND Alumni Association & Foundation Scholars Mentoring Program (2019-2021)

Community

Wilder Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization Vice President (Spring 2021);

President (2021-2023); Secretary (2023-present)

Valley Middle School PTO member (2022-23)

Grand Forks Public School District Community Task Force (2020)

Grand Forks Public School District Valley New Build Committee (Spring 2023)

YMCA Youth Basketball Coach (2020-2022)

Girl Scouts Troop Volunteer (2023-present)

Medical Benefit Chairperson (Fall 2015)

Hope Church Sunday School Volunteer (2012-present)

HOPEful Beginnings Preschool and Daycare Advisory Committee Vice President (2011)