The Literacy Specialist

Rita M. Bean, PhD, is Professor Emerita in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she served as director of the Reading Center for 25 years. Prior to joining the university, she taught at the elementary school level and also served as a reading supervisor for grades K–12. Dr. Bean has developed elementary and middle school reading curriculum materials and has published numerous articles and book chapters on reading curriculum, assessment and instruction in reading, professional learning, and the role of reading specialists and literacy coaches. She served as a researcher on several large grants, including Reading First in Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania’s Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant. She is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame, a former board member of the International Literacy Association (ILA), and served as chair of the ILA's Commission on the Role of the Reading Specialist. Dr. Bean also served as co-chair of the ILA committee that developed the Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals 2017. She is a recipient of the University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching and Distinguished Service Awards, as well as awards from the Keystone State Reading Association, the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, The ILA, and the Pennsylvania branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

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Virginia J. Goatley, PhD, is Interim Dean of the School of Education and Professor in the Department of Literacy Teaching and Learning at the University at Albany, State University of New York. A former elementary teacher, she has collaborated on several federal research grants focusing on teacher preparation and professional development that supports effective literacy classroom practice. Dr. Goatley is a regular participant in national and statewide efforts for teacher education and preparation of literacy professionals. She served as coeditor of the Journal of Literacy Research, board member for the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, co-chair of the New York State Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching, and lead writer for the ILA committee that developed the Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals 2017. Dr. Goatley is a recipient of the Albert J. Kingston Service Award from the Literacy Research Association, the President’s Excellence in Faculty Academic Service Award from the University at Albany, and the Council Service Award from the New York State Reading Association.