Education professors give presentations at international conference

Dr. Katherine Wiesendanger, Visiting Professor of Education; Dr. Gretchen Braun, Associate Professor of Education; Dr. Jeannine Perry, Assistant Professor of Education; and Dr. Barbara Williams, Assistant Professor of Education, made presentations at the 53^rd International Reading Association Convention, sponsored by the International Reading Association (IRA) and held in May 2008 in Atlanta. Dr. Wiesendanger’s and Dr. Perry’s presentation was “A Model for Using Interactive Writing as a Vehicle for Literacy Learning with Older Struggling Readers.” Dr. Braun’s and Dr. Williams’ presentation was “The Challenges and Rewards of a University Based and Public School Partnership from the Perspectives of Literacy.” Dr. Wiesendanger, a longtime active member of the Professional Reading Teacher Educators (PRTE is a special interest group of the IRA), is featured in the November 2008 PRTE Newsletter in a full-page “Spotlight on Editorial Advisory Board Member.” She is a former editor of the publication and has served PRTE in several other capacities, including program chairperson and presenter at the international and European conferences. At the 54^th International Association Convention, to be held May 6, 2009 in Minneapolis, Dr. Wiesendanger, Dr. Perry, Dr. Braun, and Dr. Williams will give a presentation on “Factors that Contribute to the Successful Implementation of a Recreational Reading Program.”