Leading Literacy

Literacy is a goal continuously at the forefront of educational efforts nationwide. Literacy is the foundation for students’ success as individuals, community members, and United States citizens. The state of South Dakota recognizes the value of literacy and is making huge strides towards greater literacy statewide, and DSU’s Dr. Katie Anderson is at the forefront of those efforts. 

According to her biography in DSU’s directory, Dr. Anderson has a B.S. in Elementary Education, an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, and earned her doctorate in Reading and Literacy Leadership in 2019. Prior to teaching at Dakota State University, Anderson taught at the middle school level for ten years and was recognized as South Dakota’s Teacher of the Year in 2013. 

Anderson is putting her impressive education into action by developing a literacy plan for South Dakota with six other educators.  The plan focuses on five areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. From an article published by the Strategic Communications team at DSU, the plan includes a guide for implementation, assessment, classroom instruction, and literacy supports, among other things. 

Anderson also works with a team of other educators to deliver literacy training sessions for teachers all around South Dakota. Ideas are only as good as the teachers who implement them, and Anderson, along with DSU adjunct Dr. Sally Crowser, wanted to make sure that SD’s teachers are given the tools and resources they need to successfully increase literacy in their classrooms. 

School districts throughout South Dakota are enthusiastic about the changes that are being made possible through the new literacy framework. The plan also includes parent and family engagement strategies, recognizing the fact that the path towards literacy begins at home. The future of South Dakota’s children is bright, and growing brighter by the year thanks to dedicated, innovative teachers like Dr. Anderson. 

All information previously mentioned in the article can also be found on Dakota State University’s Website.