Dena Mortensen

RESEARCH PROJECTS        

Spaced and Interleaved Retrieval Practice: Building Undergraduates’ Content Knowledge for Teaching Elementary Reading. A mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study focused on understanding if spaced and interleaved retrieval activities lead to long-term retention of essential content knowledge required for teaching young children to read. Researcher: Dr. Dena Mortensen.

Higher Ed Instructional Practices and Code Knowledge for Reading. A mixed-methods study that seeks to find learning activities to build teacher candidates’ knowledge of the code, the basis of our language. Researcher: Dr. Dena Mortensen.

READ and Rehearse: An Effective Model for Professional Development in Reading. An action research study on identifying what elementary teachers define as effective professional development using that data to build and test a novel model for professional development in an urban district. Researcher: Dr. Dena Mortensen.

PUBLICATIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS

Mortensen, D. (2022). Five action steps for school and district leaders implementing the science of reading. The Reading League Journal May/June, 23-27.

Mortensen, D. (2023). READ and rehearse: An effective model for professional development in reading (Publication No. 30695279) [Doctoral dissertation, Northeastern University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS – Local (Connecticut)

Mortensen, D. and White, J. (2026, October 30). Preparing reading and language arts specialists: Implementing evidence-aligned assessment and intervention to improve student reading achievement and MTSS frameworks [workshop]. Performance Matters Forum, Hartford, CT, United States.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS - Regional (Northeast/New England)

Mortensen, D. (2026, October 15). Spaced and interleaved retrieval practice: Building undergraduates’ linguistic content knowledge for teaching reading [Paper presentation]. NERA 2026 Conference, Trumbull, CT, United States.

Mortensen, D. (2025, October 23). A model for effective professional development in reading for elementary schools [Paper presentation]. NERA 2025 Conference, Trumbull, CT, United States. https://www.nera-education.org/annual_conference.php. 

Mortensen, D. (2025, March 26-28). Teacher perspectives on effective professional development [Paper presentation]. NEERO 2025 Conference, Portsmouth, NH, United States. https://www.neero.org/conference. 

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Mortensen, D. (2026, October 29). From Competencies to Preparation: Structured Literacy at Central [Spotlight presentation]. In L. Gianni and K. Allen (Chairs), From Competencies to Collaboration: Connecting Educator Roles in Structured Literacy and Dyslexia[KC1] . New Britain, CT, United States.

Mortensen, D. (2026) Scan to Plan! Scaffolding Comprehension Instruction for Complex Texts. CREC University of Hartford Magnet School, Hartford, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2026). Hopeville: How to win the reading wars. Invited panel discussion at Central Connecticut State University in collaboration with the Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities, New Britain, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2026). Hopeville: How to win the reading wars. Invited panel discussion at The Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2026) Scan to Plan! Scaffolding Comprehension Instruction for Complex Texts. Connecticut Reading Association Conference, Sheraton Hotel, Rocky Hill, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2025) Decoding Syntax: Building Language Skills through Decodable Books. Waterbury Public Schools workshop, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.

Nigh, J. (Host). (2025, June 4). Relentless: One district’s story of literacy improvement and sustained success (S3, Ep. 10) [Audio podcast episode]. In Teachers Talk Shop. Benchmark Education. Mortensen, D. (Guest). https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/relentless-one-districts-story-of-literacy-improvement-and-sustained-success

Mortensen, D. (2025) Decoding Syntax: Building Language Skills through Decodable Books. Connecticut Reading Association Conference, Sheraton Hotel, Rocky Hill, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2024). Hopeville: How to win the reading wars. Invited panel discussion at The Mattatuck Museum for Waterbury Public Schools, Waterbury, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2024). Hopeville: How to win the reading wars. Invited panel discussion at the Bijou Theater for the Southport School, Bridgeport, CT.

Brooke, L. (Host). (2024, April 16). Making changes to drive student success (No. 7) [Audio podcast episode]. In All for Literacy Podcast. Lexia Learning. Mortensen, D. (Guest). https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5agg2-15e0d69 

Harvey, H. (Host). (2024, March 12). Episode 37 – Dena Mortensen [Audio-visual podcast episode]. In Harvey   Hubbell’s Show and Tell Podcast. Seedling TV. Mortensen, D. (Guest). https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=304471376023403

Mortensen, D. (2023). Implementing the Science of Reading: Five Action Steps for Leaders [Virtual Webinar]. The Connecticut Reading Association. 

Mortensen, D. (Guest). (2022, July 30). Implementing the Science of Reading: Five Action Steps for Leaders [Virtual Webinar]. In Reading League Café: Coffee and Tea with TRL Journal and Me. The Reading League. https://www.facebook.com/groups/667950237456677/search/?q=dena%20mortensen

Mortensen, D. (2019). Screening of Dislecksia: The Movie. An evening to promote the science of reading. The Hubbell Difference Foundation, Torrington, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2019). Reading and English Language Arts Systems and Curricula. CT Reading Association Conference, Heritage Hotel, Southbury, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2018). Connecticut Literacy Model: Implementing Systems for Effective Reading Instruction. Invited panel discussion at CT Reading Association Conference, Red Lion Hotel, Cromwell, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2015-18). Reading: Common Core Foundational Skills. Invited presenter to parents at the Parent Leadership conference, Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College, Waterbury, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2016). Social Studies: A K-12 Learning Continuum. Invited presenter at the CSDE Social Studies Conference, Central CT State University, New Britain, CT. 

Mortensen, D. (2015). CT Core ELA: Waterbury’s Perspective on Implementation Successes and Modifications. Invited presenter at CAS CT Core Community of Practice, Cheshire, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2015). Changing How We Assess Reading Skills. Invited presenter at the Legislative Office Building for the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, Hartford, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2015). Early Literacy Approach-Utilizing Alliance Funding, State Mandates, and Best Practice. Invited presenter at CSDE Alliance Convening, Meriden, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2014). Systematic Implementation of SRBI. Invited panel discussion at the CSDE Alliance Convening, New Britain, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2014). Turning the Curve in Reading Achievement. Invited speaker to state legislators, Hartford, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2008). Making Data Work. Invited presenter at the CT Data Showcase Conference, Cromwell, CT.

Mortensen, D. (2008). Connecting Reading and Writing through Author’s Craft.  Invited breakout session presenter at the International Reading Association Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Mortensen, D. (2004). Connecting Reading and Writing through Author’s Craft.  Invited breakout session presenter at the International Reading Association Conference, Reno, NV.