Holly Hansen-Thomas, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Research, Innovation, and Corporate Engagement
Teacher Education

Contact
hhansenthomas@twu.edu
940-898-3401
ACT 704
Biography
Holly Hansen-Thomas is the Vice Provost for Research, Innovation, and Corporate Engagement. Formerly, she served as Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship, Professor, Interim Chair of the Department of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling, and was Program Coordinator of ESL and Bilingual Education at Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX. A two-time Fulbright Scholar and successful grant writer/manager of approximately 8 million dollars in federal funding, Dr. Hansen-Thomas has engaged in teacher training and research for content area teachers of Emergent Bilinguals (EBs) in the U.S., Europe, and Central America for nearly two decades. Her research interests include ESL training for mainstream secondary level teachers; EBs' development of academic ESL training for mainstream secondary level teachers; EBs' development of academic language in mathematics and science; language awareness; and teacher identity.
Education
Ph.D., Culture, Literacy, and Language, University of Texas System: San Antonio
M.A., Bicultural/Bilingual Education, University of Texas: San Antonio
B.A., Art History, University of Texas: Austin
Research Interests
Emergent Bilinguals (EBs) in Math and Science; Bilingual Education; Bilingualism and Biliteracy; Rural Education for EBs; Secondary Education; Language Awareness; Culturally Responsive Teaching; Adolescent EBs
Latest Articles
Translingual Disciplinary Literacies: Equitable Language Environments to Support Literacy Engagement
Reading Research Quarterly (2022)
M. A. Stewart, Holly Hansen-Thomas, P. Flint, M. Nunez
La educación bilingüe durante una pandemia: Compromiso familiar [Bilingual education during a pandemic: Family engagement]
El Guiniguada (2022)
V. Lozada, Holly Hansen-Thomas, J. Figueroa, M. A. Stewart
ELLevating the success of high school Emergent Bilinguals in Math: Appropriate accommodations and confidence building
NABE Journal of Research and Practice (2020)
R. Hay Ho, Holly Hansen-Thomas, C. Collier, K. Burke
Using Latin American Folkloric Music to Support emergent Bilinguals'' Literacy Development in the Classroom
NABE Global Perspectives (2020)
E. Rios-Jimenez, S. South, L. Richins, Holly Hansen-Thomas, V. Lozada
Co-learning, translanguaging, and English Language Acquisition
Research Outlook (2020)
M. A. Stewart, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Study Abroad for Critical Multilingual Language Awareness Development in Teacher Candidates
TESL- EJournal (Online) (2020)
Kristen Lindahl, Holly Hansen-Thomas, Laura Baecher, Mary Amanda Stewart
Co- learning in the High School English Class through Translanguaging: Emergent Bilingual Newcomers and Monolingual Teachers
Journal of Language, Identity, and Education (2020)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, Mary Amanda Stewart, Patricia Flint, Tamra Dollar
The Role of Language Objectives: Building Math and Science Teachers' Language Awareness with Emergent Bilinguals in Secondary Classrooms.
Latin American Content & Language Integrated Instruction Journal (2019)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, Juliet Langman, Tiffany Farias Sokoloski
Culture clash in the diverse classroom: A case study from a newcomer school
English Language Teaching (2018)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, SriPadmini Chennapragada
Deictics and the construction of mathematics and science knowledge in the secondary school classroom
Classroom Discourse (2017)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, Juliet Langman
Translanguaging in the secondary class through poetry: The case of a transnational youth
Research in the Teaching of English (2016)
Mary Amanda Stewart, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Family Science Night / Earth Day Celebration: A Project for the International Newcomer Academy using insights from the graduate course 'Teaching in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Environments'
The Science Teacher (2016)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, H Alderman
ESL Mentoring for secondary rural educators: Math and science teachers become second language specialists through collaboration
TESOL Journal (2015)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, L. Grosso Richins
Experiential learning activities to promote higher education for At-Risk K-12 students
The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences - print (2015)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, S McMahan, R. R. Fredrickson
High stakes plumbing in the 21st century. Fixing the cracks in the academic pipeline (in press)
The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences - print (2015)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, Sourdot L.
Books
Engaging Diverse Learners in the Mathematics Classroom: A functional language awareness approach for middle and high school educators
Brookes Publishing (2022)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, J. Langman
Leveraging Languages, Literacies, and Cultures: Innovative Approaches for Teaching Multilingual Students
Information Age Publishing (2022)
M. A. Stewart, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Engaging Research Series: Transforming practices for the High School Classroom (Series Editor and Editor)
TESOL Press (2019)
H. Hansen-Thomas, M. A. Stewart
Engaging Research Series Transforming Practices for the Elementary School (Series Editor)
TESOL Press (2018)
J Sharkey (Editor)
Engaging Research Series Transforming Practices for the Middle School Classroom (Series Editor and Editor)
TESOL Press (2018)
H. Hansen-Thomas, K. Lindahl
Discourse Analytic Perspectives on STEM Education
Springer (2017)
J. Langman, H. (Eds.) Hansen-Thomas
The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics for English Language Learners: High School
TESOL Press & NCTM (2015)
A Bright, H Hansen-Thomas, L Oliveira
Chapters
Teaching pragmatics in the multilingual EFL class
in Transforming Practices for the EFL Classroom | TESOL Press (2022)
K. Voltmer, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Functional Language Awareness in Secondary Mathematics Classrooms
in Teaching mathematics to English language learners: Preparing pre-service and in-service teachers | Palgrave Macmillan (2020)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, Juliet Langman
Functional Language Awareness in Secondary Mathematics Classrooms
in Teaching mathematics to English language learners: Preparing pre-service and in-service teachers | Palgrave (2020)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, Juliet Langman
Rural LTELs' Funds of Knowledge, Teacher Attitudes, and School Success in Today's Political Climate
in Language Learning Instruction for Culturally Diverse Students and Immigrant Communities | IGI Global (2019)
E. Hughes Karnes, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Rural LTELs' Funds of Knowledge, Teacher Attitudes, and School Success in Today's Political Climate
in Language Learning Instruction for Culturally Diverse Students and Immigrant Communities | IGI Global (2019)
Elizabeth Hughes Karnes, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Pioneering Frontiers: Bilingual Education in Texas
in Lenguas y Culturas en Educación Multilingue y Multicultural/Languages and Cultures in Multilingual and Multicultural Education | UCo Press (2019)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, M Stewart, J Figueroa
Mathematics for EBs
in Handbook of TESOL in K-12 | Wiley Press (2019)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, Anita Bright
Pioneering Frontiers: Bilingual Education in Texas
in Lenguas y Culturas en Educación Multilingue y Multicultural/Languages and Cultures in Multilingual and Multicultural Education | UCo Press (2019)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, M. Stewart, J. Figueroa
Picture this: Using illustrated books to support comprehension in social studies complex texts
in Transforming practices for the high school classroom | TESOL Press (2018)
Tamra Dollar, Patricia Flint, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Mini-novelas to incorporate culturally responsive literature with academic writing
in Engaging Research Series: Transforming Practices: Elementary School | TESOL Press (2018)
Holly Hansen-Thomas
Language Standards in the Classroom
in The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching | John Wiley & Sons, Inc (2018)
Holly Hansen-Thomas
The Power of Voice in Advanced Social Studies and Language Arts Texts
in Transforming Practices for the Middle School Classroom | TESOL Press (2018)
Elizabeth Hughes Karnes, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Mini-novelas to incorporate culturally responsive literature with academic writing
in Engaging Research Series: Transforming Practices: Elementary School | TESOL Press (2018)
Holly Hansen-Thomas
Rural ESL: I only have two students!
in The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching | John Wiley & Sons, Inc (2018)
Holly Hansen-Thomas
Heritage Language Development of Pre-Service Bilingual Teachers: How a Practice Situated Intervention Promoted Multiliteracy
in Multiliteracies Pedagogy and Language Learning.Teaching Spanish to Heritage Speakers | Palgrave MacMillan (2017)
Liliana Grosso Richins, Holly Hansen-Thomas
Triumvirate of Academia
in Coping with Gender Equity Gender in Higher Education | Rowan & Littlefield (2017)
R. R. Fredrickson, S. K. McMahan, Holly Hansen-Thomas
What types of resources can mathematics teachers who have ELLs/emergent bilinguals in their classes use to meaningfully engage these learners with the language demands of the CCSS?
in Common Core and ELLs/Emergent Bilinguals: A Guide for All Educators | Caslon (2015)
Holly Hansen-Thomas
Developing academic and social mathematical discourse through modeling and interaction: Creating a geometrical town.
in The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics for English Language Learners: High School | TESOL Press & NCTM (2015)
Holly Hansen-Thomas, J Gordon
ESL
in The Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice. | Rowan & Littlefield (2015)
Holly Hansen-Thomas
ELLs
in The Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice | Rowan & Littlefield (2015)
Holly Hansen-Thomas
Current Projects
PIONERAS: Professional Improvement through Optimization of Native-language Education and the Realization of Academic/familial Symbiosis
GOV-Department of Education (DE) | $2,100,000.00 | 2016-2021
Role: Principal Investigator
ELLevate! English Language Learner Educators Vested in the Advancement of Teaching Excellence
GOV-Department of Education (DE) | $2,100,000.00 | 2016-2021
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
SMARTTTEL: Science and Mathematics for ALL: Rural Teacher Training through Technology for English Learner
GOV-Department of Education (DE) | $1,800,000.00 | 2012-2017
Role: Principal Investigator
Externally Funded Projects
Collin College on behalf of the North Texas Consortium (2021, phase 3) (Collin College, Texas Woman's University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Dallas, North Central Texas College)
Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program | $300,000.00 | 2021
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Teacher Cultural Plurilingual Project (TEACUP) Year 3 of 3
Erasmus Mundus | 2021
Role: Collaborator
Teacher Cultural Plurilingual Project (TEACUP) Year 2 of 3
Erasmus Mundus | 2020
Role: Collaborator
ACE Blockchain Innovation Challenge Grant (2020, 2021) with Greenlight, UT Arlington, A&M Commerce, North Central Texas College, Carrollton-Farmer's Branch ISD
American Council on Education | $225,000.00 | 2020
Role: Principal Investigator
Collin College on behalf of the North Texas Consortium (Collin College, Texas Woman's University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Dallas, North Central Texas College
Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program | $125,000.00 | 2020
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Bilingual Education Funding Year 3 of 3
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board | $107,142.00 | 2019
Role: Principal Investigator
Teacher Cultural Plurilingual Project (TEACUP) Year 1 of 3
Erasmus Mundus | 2019
Role: Collaborator
AVANCE-IME Becas Scholarship Program
The Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas | $10,000.00 | 2018
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
AVANCE-IME Becas Scholarship Program
The Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas | $8,000.00 | 2017
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Bilingual Education Funding
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board | 2016
Role: Collaborator
ELLevate!: National Professional Development grant
Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) | $2,100,000.00 | 2016
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
PIONERAS: National Professional Development, NPD T365Z120026
Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) | $2,200,000.00 | 2016
Role: Principal Investigator
AVANCE-IME Becas Scholarship Program
The Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas | $20,000.00 | 2016
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
AVANCE-IME Becas Scholarship Program
The Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas | $14,000.00 | 2015
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Internally Funded Projects
WoMentoring
Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership | $0.00 | 2021
Research Grant
Small Grant
Texas Woman's University, ORSP | $400.00 | 2018
Research Grant
Small Grant
Texas Woman's University, ORSP | $495.00 | 2015
Research Grant
Professional Affiliations
- AERA (American Educational Research Association)
- KDP (Kappa Delta Pi) Educational Honor Society
- NABE (National Association of Bilingual Educators)
- NACRO (Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers
- NORDP (National Organization for Research Development Professionals)
- TAA (Text and Academic Authors Association)
- TABE (Texas Association of Bilingual Educators)
- TCCAO (Texas Council of Chief Academic Officers)
- TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)