Tamara Glupczynski Spencer (Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University) is an assistant professor of literacy in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Literacy Education. Her current research analyzes the intersections of curricular policy and young children's literacy practices. She has been published in Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, Complementary Methods for Research in Education, and Advances in Early Education and Day Care and her research has been presented at a range of international and regional research conferences. She has taught first and second grade, served as literacy coach, and worked as a K-3 reading specialist in public schools in Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, and Raleigh, NC. In her most recent position prior to her appointment at Montclair State University, Dr. Spencer served as the Director of Literacy Initiatives and the Deputy Director for Academic Support for District 79, in New York City.

Dr. Spencer's research interests include early childhood language and literacy studies, and the study of the relationship between policy and curriculum in urban public schools.