Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Dr. Heather Casey serves as co-editor of 'Best Practices in Literacy Development'
by Keith Fernbach
Dr. Heather Casey, professor of literacy education, has co-edited an updated edition of one of the leading texts in her field.
Titled Best Practices in Literacy Development, the book covers topics including principles and strategies for teaching literature and nonfiction texts, organizing and differentiating instruction, supporting developing readers and writers, and understanding digital literacies.
Casey co-edited the book alongside Dr. Lesley Mandel Morrow, distinguished professor of literacy at Rutgers University, and Dr. Ernest Morrell, associate dean of humanities and equity at the University of Notre Dame. She also wrote a chapter titled "Best Practices for Literacy in the Intermediate and Middle School Grades."
First published in 1999, updated editions have been released every four years to ensure that the book reflects the most current scholarship and best practices in the evolving literacy field.
For the seventh edition, the editorial team added new content focused on how educators can offer more inclusive, equitable instruction. The book addresses subjects such as social and emotional learning, teaching bilingual learners, and strengthening connections with families and communities.
We wanted to highlight the role of literacy in supporting social justice, mental health and culturally responsive teaching."
鈥淭here is a shifting landscape in the conversations happening around how children become readers and writers, and the importance of understanding the diverse communities in which we live,鈥 Casey says. 鈥淲e wanted to highlight the role of literacy in supporting social justice, mental health and culturally responsive teaching.鈥
The book鈥檚 contributors include researchers and scholars from top universities across the United States and internationally. 鈥淭hese are all authors who are very familiar to those in the field and reflect many of the most important voices in literacy education,鈥 says Casey. Among the contributors is Dr. Susan Dougherty, chair of the Department of Teacher Education at 天美传媒官网, who co-authored a chapter titled "Best Practices in Early Literacy.鈥
For Casey, being part of the editing team represents her career as an educator coming full circle. 鈥淒r. Morrow launched this book with her colleague, Dr. Linda Gambrell, around the time I was returning to Rutgers to pursue a master鈥檚 in reading and my reading specialist endorsement,鈥 she explains. 鈥淥ne of our core texts was that first edition.鈥
As Casey furthered her education, her relationship with Morrow also grew. Morrow served as Casey鈥檚 graduate adviser during her master鈥檚 program and her dissertation chair and adviser when she earned her doctorate. Casey has partnered with Morrow on other publications and projects, and wrote the introduction for the sixth edition.
She says her experience editing the most recent edition has not only been a huge honor, it has also helped make her a better educator.
鈥淭he opportunity to engage in conversation with a wide range of literacy experts and scholars through responding to their work has deeply benefitted my own scholarship as well as my teaching," she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to draw on what I learned to better support the undergraduate and graduate students at 天美传媒官网.鈥
Best Practices in Literacy Development is available through .