Spotlight
Guest Speaker: Vanderbilt University professor Dr. Victoria J. Risko
Dr. Victoria Risko heads the workshop for local teachers.
On June 28, 2017, 30 area-wide teachers were given the opportunity to attend a workshop entitled Reading Comprehension and Meaningful Learning, headed by Dr. Victoria J. Risko of Vanderbilt University. Coordinated by Dr. Bernice Sanchez of TAMIU, in conjunction with Write for Texas and South Texas Writing Project, the workshop proved to be a success due to the cooperation of local K-7 teachers.
Dr. Risko focused the workshop on a framework for the importance of building students’ background knowledge through multiple literacy blocks and building conceptual knowledge. This included building vocabulary and text comprehension by utilizing a variety of anchor texts and culturally appropriate text as models. Inquiry learning and purposeful writing was a part of this standards-based presentation.
About the Speaker:
Victoria J. Risko, Professor Emerita, Vanderbilt University has been on the faculty for over 35 years, a member of the language, literacy, and culture area of the Department of Teaching and Learning. She was the 2011-2012 President of the International Reading Association (IRA) and a member of IRA’s Board of Directors. A former classroom teacher and reading specialist, Dr. Risko conducts professional development sessions for teachers, literacy specialists, and literacy coaches and has worked with teachers throughout the United States.
7/6/2017
Melinda Lee Downie