Dr. Julie Jones
on play, learning & community

Educator, author, and community convener spending a career on one question: what do people need in order to learn, connect, and thrive?

juliepjones@gmail.com Spartanburg, SC See the full CV

25+years in schools, universities & community work

3books authored & co-authored

40+national & international talks

For more than 25 years, Julie's work has moved among classrooms, university programs, scholarship, and community initiatives — all grounded in the belief that curiosity and play aren't extras, but essential conditions for people of every age to grow. She's an author, a nationally recognized speaker, and a Spartanburg-based convener who translates research into practice and brings people together across sector lines to get things done.

Where she leads

Program leadership Cross-sector partnerships Professional learning design Research-to-practice Community engagement Public speaking Curriculum & training Budget & resource management Facilitation

Experience

2013 – present

Converse University

Associate Professor, Child & Family Studies · former Director of Teacher Education, Student Teaching, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Middle Level Education & Deaf Education

Led teacher-preparation and clinical programs coordinating faculty, adjuncts, school districts, and community partners
Managed departmental budgets and supervised adjunct faculty
Built and sustained school-district partnerships supporting field experience and professional learning
Served across Faculty Senate, Academic Planning, Curricular Programs, Admissions, and Graduate Council

2021 – present

Hub City Writers Project

Outreach Coordinator & Educational Consultant

Facilitates community initiatives connecting literacy, education, arts, and place-based development
Coordinates downtown public-art projects with the City of Spartanburg, artists, and funders
Leads Zora Bucks, a literacy initiative expanding access to books across the community

2012 – 2013

University of South Carolina Upstate

Assistant Professor, Special Education

Prepared future educators in special education, learning disabilities, and inclusive instruction

1999 – 2012

South Carolina Public Schools

Spartanburg County, SC

Thirteen years in special education, elementary education, and school-based leadership
Coordinated academic, developmental, and behavioral supports with families and school teams

Books

Author

Introduction to Education: Nurturing the Power of Curiosity and Play in the Era of AI

Kendall Hunt · 2026

Co-author

The Playful Life: The Power of Play in Our Every Day

Wiley Jossey-Bass · 2022

Co-author

The Playful Classroom: The Power of Play for All Ages

Wiley Jossey-Bass · 2020

Selected talks

This Is Your Brain on Play: Exploring Neurocognitive Learning Theory in Atypical Play Spaces

US Play Coalition, Indiana University, 2026 · International Play Association–United States, 2025
Playful Communities: Lessons We Can Learn from Trees

Featured Speaker, US Play Coalition, 2024
The Playful Classroom: The Science and Power of Play

Learning & the Brain Foundation, Harvard University, 2023
Creating a Culture of Safety for Student Well-Being

Learning & the Brain Foundation, Harvard University, 2023
Exploring the Neuroscience of Healing Play for Children with Special Needs

Invited international presentation, 2021

Community & leadership

Founder, Red Heron Collective of Play Scholars

Convened an interdisciplinary collective of scholars and practitioners for a collaborative gathering in St. Louis
Zora Bucks Literacy Initiative

Leads this community-centered initiative expanding access to books, with Hub City Writers Project
Downtown Public Art Partnerships

Coordinates cross-sector mural projects with the City of Spartanburg, artists, and funders
Professional leadership

Consulting Editor, The Clearing House (2017–present) · President, SC Association of Teacher Educators (2018–2019) · Editor, Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina (2017–2021)

Education & credentials

PhD, Curriculum & Instruction

Clemson University, 2009

MEd, Educational Administration

University of South Carolina, 2002

BA, Special Education

Converse College, 1999

SC Certifications

Elementary Education · Special Education (LD & Deafness) · Elementary Principal · Elementary Supervisor

Off the page

A few things that keep the work — and everything else — going.

Walk often Write frequently Read daily Believe in growth Invest in ideas that matter Be creative, kind, proactive & relentless