Education

Building on Dolly Parton’s legacy: What early childhood research tells us about literacy

Oct 13, 2026 • By Catalina Sofia Dansberger Duque

When Dolly Parton passed away, fans worldwide shared memories of her movies, albums, and TV shows, as well as her kindness and early support for the LGBTQ+ community. Amy Tondreau, associate professor of elementary literacy in UMBC's School of Education, remembers Parton as an icon, pioneer, and a role model who lived out her feminist values, "a beacon of kindness, hope, charity, and community" for so many people, but particularly, she sees Parton’s legacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.