Biography
Dr. Norline Wild came to Niagara University as an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree in human services from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from Boston College. Both before and during her doctoral studies, Dr. Wild gained extensive hands-on experience as a preschool and pre-K teacher, working directly with young children in classroom settings. She completed her doctoral degree in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning with a concentration in early childhood education at the University at Buffalo (UB). Before joining Niagara’s faculty, Dr. Wild was the Curriculum Coordinator at UB’s Early Childhood Research Center.
Focus of Teaching
Dr. Norline Wild brings over twenty years of experience working with children and families with diverse strengths and experiences in classroom, home, and therapy settings. Drawing on her experiences as a preschool and pre-K teacher, she guides preservice teachers in developing playful, engaging, and socially conscious classroom practices. She focuses on helping future educators use picturebooks and other interactive strategies to cultivate inclusive learning environments that support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Current Research
Dr. Wild’s research examines how educators can promote identity, diversity, justice, and social action in P–12 classrooms. Using qualitative methods grounded in social justice and guided by critical pedagogy, she explores how preservice teachers develop playful learning practices and integrate picturebooks to transform teaching. Her work aims to provide evidence-based strategies that support equitable, inclusive, and transformative learning communities.
Current Involvement
Advisor, Niagara University Future Teachers Association (NUFTA)
Dr. Wild serves as the advisor for NUFTA, a student organization that helps members develop professionally as educators while providing service opportunities in the community, strengthening their roles as future teachers.
Co-Leader, College of Education Study Abroad Trip to Italy (2025 & 2026)
Dr. Wild co-led the study abroad trips to Rome, Florence, and Venice, where students engaged with local early childhood programs and explored educational practices abroad, enriching their teaching perspectives and global awareness.
Selected Publications
Wild, N. (2026). Small groups, big impact: Using small-group instruction to underpin literacy skills. Educating Young Children. Winter2026.
Wild, N. R. (2025). Picturebooks for social justice in the higher education classroom. Multicultural Perspectives, 27(4), 218–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/15210960.2025.2598455
Wild, N. (2025). Picturebooks as catalysts: Fostering social justice and critical consciousness in higher education. Journal of Equity and Social Justice in Education (JESJE). 4, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.62889/2025/nrw.1112A
Wild, N. (2025). They All Saw A Cat, But what did Evie see? Exchange. https://hub.exchangepress.com/articles-on-demand/59313/
Wild, N. (2025). The power of multimodal engagement to encourage expression. The TeachingProfessor.
https://www.teachingprofessor.com/topics/teaching-strategies/participation-discussion/the-power-of-multimodal-engagement-to-encourage-expression/
Wild, N. (2024). Playful learning in higher education to inspire playful learning in P-12 classrooms. Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning, 17(1), 33-42. https://doi.org/10.14305/jn.19440413.2024.17.1.03
Wild, N. (2024). The Other Side: Preschool children’s experience of a read-aloud focused on social justice. Early Childhood Education Journal, 53:1513–1520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01683-z
Wild, N. (2023). Teaching for social justice: A teacher-researcher’s journey and evolution. The Reading Teacher, 77(3), 360-370. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2252
Wild, N. (2022). Picturebooks for Social Justice: Creating a classroom community grounded in identity, diversity, justice, and action.
Early Childhood Education Journal, 51, 733–741. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01342-1
Educational Background
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University at Buffalo, SUNY. Buffalo, NY 2022
Ph.D. in Curriculum Instruction and the Science of Learning
Concentration: Early Childhood Education
Dissertation: Picture Books for Social Justice: Creating a Classroom Community Grounded in Identity, Diversity, Justice, and Action -
Boston College. Boston, MA 2003
Master of Social Work
Clinical Focus -
Northeastern University. Boston, MA 2001
Bachelor of Arts Degree: Human Services (Summa Cum Laude)
Concentration: Counseling
Minor: Psychology