Reading/Writing/Literacy Division Adds Rising Stars Stornaiuolo and Thomas

December 11, 2012 - Penn GSE’s renowned Reading/Writing/Literacy division has welcomed two new rising stars to its faculty this year, Amy Stornaiuolo and Ebony Elizabeth Thomas – and the program is already feeling their impact. Known for being on the cutting-edge of literacy research, Reading/Writing/Literacy (RWL) possesses an enormous commitment to urban education. This commitment translates to active work with Philadelphia schools, families and teachers. RWL students and faculty also collaborate on research associated with some of the most distinguished research centers and professional development projects in the country. Both Stornaiuolo and Thomas – the newest superstars in a storied program that is now, more than ever, the place to study literacy and urban education – are focused on the robust diversity of 21st-century classrooms and communities.

“We were lucky to get some of the top emerging scholars in the field, who were selected from a highly competitive applicant pool,” said RWL chair Gerald Campano. “They are both conducting cutting-edge research on 21st-century literacies in a diverse and pluralistic society, and have been a wonderful addition for our students.”

Assistant Professor Amy Stornaiuolo’s research is at the forefront of how teachers and students can adapt and develop media tools and practices to increase both textual and multimedia literacy – both locally and globally.

A former elementary school teacher, Assistant Professor Ebony Elizabeth Thomas’ program of research is most keenly focused on children’s and adolescent texts, the teaching of African American literature, and the role of race in classroom discourse and interaction.

The RWL division offers a Ph.D., Ed.D., or M.S.Ed. Reading/Writing/Literacy and an M.S.Ed. in Language and Literacy.