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July 29, 2019

Faculty Spotlight: Elizabeth Stevens, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education; Director of Literacy MED Program

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Reading Education with distinction | Syracuse University
  • M.Ed. in Childhood Literacy | St. Bonaventure University
  • B.S. in Elementary Education | St. Bonaventure University

When did you start becoming interested in teacher education?

I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was in my own teacher education program, nearly twenty years ago, on the first day of my first methods block at St. Bonaventure University, Dr. Nancy Casey read aloud “My Great Aunt Arizona” by Gloria Houston. This children’s story tells about Arizona, her fulfillment of her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, and of the “faraway places” she and the children visited in their minds. She inspired the children to live their dreams, and her teaching legacy was remembered for generations. I aspired to be the educator that instills in many the love for learning, like Arizona and like Dr. Casey. From then on, my long-term career goal was to educate preservice teachers.

Share a fun fact about yourself…

I have visited 45 of the 50 United States.

How do you serve your community (outside of Roberts)?

In terms of national service, I serve in a number of ways through the Literacy Research Association (LRA), an organization for those interested in advancing literacy theory, research, and practice. I joined LRA as a doctoral student at Syracuse University, and since then, it’s been my academic home. For LRA, I review conference proposals, and I also review manuscripts for its respective journal: “Literacy Research: Theory, Method, and Practice.” I am a mentor for the LRA DSICG Proposal Mentoring Project, ushering a doctoral student through the conference proposal writing process. Last year I was appointed as an Area Chair, for Area 4: Literacy Assessment, Evaluation, and Public Policy. This was a big honor.

In the Greater Rochester community, I volunteer in local schools. For example, I volunteered to facilitate kindergarten literacy centers, and I recently served on Fairport Central School District’s District Advisory Council for Academic Programming.

Share about your recent academic work …

During this academic year I presented three different collaborative papers/projects. One highlight is: Vaughn, M., Scales, R.Q., Stevens, E.Y., Kline, S., Barrett-Tatum, J., Van Wig, A., Yoder, K.K., Wellman, D. (2018, December). Understanding literacy adoption policies across contexts: A multi-state examination of literacy curriculum decision-making. Literacy Research Association Annual Conference, Palm Springs, CA. I enjoyed working with scholars across the country on this study. We currently have two manuscripts out for review, and one other manuscript is in progress. I am excited to also share that we plan to continue with this study. I received the Roberts Wesleyan College Summer Scholarship Grant for this work.

What your favorite thing about teaching?

My favorite thing about teaching is planning. I love thinking about how to best meet the objectives of my courses and how to really engage students. My goal is to model for students the instructional approaches I would expect them to use in K-12 schools.

What is an interest you have outside of teaching?

My favorite thing to do outside of teaching is to be present with my family. I especially love to go for walks with my husband, two daughters and our dog.

How has working at Roberts helped your spiritual formation?

I have always been a faithful person, but Roberts certainly has been wonderful place to work as one can openly talk about their faith and integrate it into their teaching strategies and lessons in the classroom. I have very much enjoyed the significant diversity of faith traditions that exist on Roberts’ campus, and that the College has embraced that diversity.

What is one highlight from your time at Roberts?

Recently, a PTTP and Literacy MED graduate, that I once taught, was named Channel 8’s Golden Apple Winner. This is a great accolade for local teachers. It was so exciting to see a former student, taught by wonderful faculty in our department, receive this award.

What is your favorite quote and why?

“If we succeed in giving the love of learning, the learning itself is sure to follow.” - John Lubbock. I love this quote because it aligns with my theories regarding teaching and learning.


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