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Jennifer Throndsen, PhD

Dr. Jennifer Throndsen has over 20 years of experience serving in a variety of educational roles within the K-12 public education system including:

  • Elementary general education classroom teacher

  • Middle school mathematics teacher

  • District multilingual learner coordinator

  • GLAD trainer 

  • Adjunct professor for undergraduate and graduate level course in literacy and math 

  • Instructional coach

  • District evidence-based learning specialist 

  • State administrator for K-12 literacy

  • State director of teaching and learning

  • Educational consultant 

  • Published author

  • International presenter 

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Background

From serving in a variety of roles, Jennifer has developed deep knowledge and expertise in literacy, elementary mathematics, multilingual learners, and student centered learning.  She has been recognized for her efforts to positively impact reading outcomes by the 3rd Grade Reading Council of Champions as a 2018 champion.  She recently published her first book, Raising Up Readers: 25 Scaffolding Strategies to Help Students Access Challenging Text on how to scaffold all students in reading and comprehending grade level text.  She has extensive experience in designing and facilitating systems level initiatives using the principles of implementation science for district and school leaders, instructional coaches, and classroom educators.

 

In 2024, Jennifer founded Impactful Learning Designs LLC to provide customized professional learning and consultancy, to support states, districts and schools in meeting the needs of all learners.  Through her educational consulting work, Jennifer strives to advance educator practice to meet the diverse learning needs of today’s students through research-based practices that have been proven to positively impact student learning. For sample client reviews, please visit Google Reviews here.

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Publications

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Throndsen, J. (2025, August 22). How to boost reading instruction with scaffolding strategies. Solution Tree Blog. https://www.solutiontree.com/blog/how-to-boost-reading-instruction-with-scaffolding-strategies/ 

 

Throndsen, J. (2025, July 30). The potential impact of 15 minutes. Dystinct Magazine, Issue 27. https://on.dystinct.org/the-potential-impact-of-15-minutes-dr-jennifer-throndsen/

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Throndsen, J. (June 2025). Raising Up Readers: 25 Scaffolding Strategies to Help Students Access Challenging Text.  Solution Tree Press, Bloomington, IN. 

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Throndsen, J. (2025, June 10). Scaffolding strategies to teach challenging text. MiddleWeb.   https://www.middleweb.com/52305/scaffolding-strategies-to-teach-challenging-text/

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Throndsen, J. (2025, May 20). Want Students to Read on Grade Level? These Strategies Can Help: Active reading, peer-assisted learning and other ways to scaffold literacy instruction.  Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-want-students-to-read-on-grade-level-these-strategies-can-help/2025/05 

 

Throndsen, J. What’s Going on in Utah with Jennifer Throndsen.  NASDTEC Podcasts. Podcast audio, April 2023. 

 

Throndsen, J. S6 E10: The big win is just the beginning with Dr. Jennifer  Throndsen. Science of  Reading: The Podcast. Podcast audio, January, 2023.

 

Throndsen, J.E., Shumway, J.F. & Moyer-Packenham, P.S. (2020). The Relationship Between Mathematical Literacy at Kindergarten Entry and Public Preschool Attendance, Type, and Quality. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48, 473–483.

 

Throndsen, J., MacDonald, B., & Hunt, J. (2017). Developing a kindergartener’s concept of cardinality. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 22(2), 21–25.

 

Jones, C., & Throndsen, J. (2016). Teaching Ideas. The Utah Journal of Literacy, 19(1), 41-48.

 

Throndsen, J. (2014). Postscript: Knock'em down. Teaching Children Mathematics, 20(9), 584-584.

National and International Presentation Examples

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  • ResearchEd Greenwich, Developing an Evidence-Based Framework to Advance Student Centered Learning, April 2024, Greenwich, Connecticut 

  • Australian Association for Research in Education, Improving K-3 Literacy Proficiency through Deep Implementation of the Science of Reading and Science of  Reading Instruction, December 2022, Adelaide, Australia 

  • Aurora Institute, Identifying Your North Star, Compass, and Vessel: Successfully Navigating Your Journey to Personalized, Competency Based Learning, October 2023, Palm Springs, California

  • NCTM Annual Conference, Developing a Growth Mindset, April 2016, San Francisco, California

Current Projects 

  • Executive Coaching District and School Leaders 

  • Districtwide Implementation of Key Literacy Initiatives 

  • Statewide Literacy Initiative Implementation Coaching in New York and Idaho

  • Districtwide and School-Based Professional Development Sessions 

  • Site Based Coaching in Utah, Arkansas and California

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Contact

If you are looking to connect to see how we might be able to accelerate learning in your local community, please contact me. 

Email Address 

jennifer.throndsen@impactfullearningdesigns.com

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

District Leader, Salt Lake

I had two of my coaches contact me right after to say how great it was and wanting to share their takeaways and new learning.  Thank you!

District Leader, Washington County

Jennifer's presentation was incredibly informative, showcasing her innovative strategies to engage adult learners through compelling anecdotes, rigorous research, complex texts, and interactive activities. It had the most profound impact on both teachers and students. 

School Leader, Juab SD

Dr. Throndsen provided  high quality and research-based materials to enhance our instruction and taught the teachers how to implement specific strategies.  Our students showed tremendous growth averaging gains of 15-20% on state assessments.

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