She earned her undergraduate degree in history and humanities and her master's degree in teaching, with emphases on reading and special education, from Trinity University in San Antonio, Tex. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in children's literature and literacy from the University of Florida. Dr. Oslick taught for five years in elementary and intermediate schools in Texas' urban and suburban areas. Her research areas of interest include: social justice and critical literacy applications; multicultural children's literature; and reading and writing instruction with diverse learners. She has written and been awarded research grants, and her scholarly papers have been published in peer-refereed journals and books. Dr. Oslick won the 2014 Virginia Hamilton Essay Award for her article, "Children's Voices: Reactions to a Criminal Justice Issue Picture Book."