TAMIU Prof to Present at Harvard Conference

A Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) faculty member will present her research agenda at Harvard University’s 21st Century Academic Forum Conference in Boston March 17-18, 2014.

Dr. Bernice Sanchez-Perez, College of Education assistant professor, will present her research entitled "Action Research: How Critical Reading and Writing Shapes the Thinking of Millennial Generation Pre-Service Teachers," focusing on the education and preparation of pre-service teachers in South Texas. 

The premise of Dr. Sanchez-Perez’ research is that critical reading and writing skills are essential to the evolution of a well rounded individual who can interpret information, challenge assumptions, and assess diverse viewpoints.  Today's millennial generation encompasses over 70 million of the US population with over 40% from racially diverse backgrounds. 

Sanchez-Perez notes that Millennial Generation pre-service teachers, who will soon be joining the education work force, play a pivotal role in preparing critical thinking skills for children and future generations. Her action research project examines how critical reading and writing prompts can shape the thinking of Millennial Generation pre-service teachers and is based on the theoretical models of reader response learning theories.  In these theories, readers negotiate meaning based on background knowledge, and on how writing shapes thinking models.

In Sanchez-Perez’ research, Millennial Generation pre-service teachers were provided a series of prompts that required active text engagement and written responses. The study’s intent is to promote critical reading and writing behaviors in Millennial Generation pre-service teachers so they can transmit those behaviors to students.  The initiative has been an ongoing transformative research project for Sanchez-Perez.

TAMIU Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Catheryn Weitman, congratulated Sanchez-Perez for her selection.

“We commend Dr. Sanchez-Perez for her important research advancing teacher education and being selected to present it before such an august group.  We’re excited that research conducted here at TAMIU enjoys a rightful place at the 21st Century Academic Forum,” Dr. Weitman said.

The 21st Century Academic Forum is comprised of scholars, researchers, and government executives concerned with global issues in education impacting the 21st century in the shaping of educational policies and pedagogy in preparing students for the jobs of the future.  The Conference theme is "Preparing Students and Researchers for the Demands of the 21st Century."

Sanchez-Perez said she is humbled and honored to be invited to share her research agenda at Harvard and grateful to the University and her colleagues for their support.

For further information, contact Dr. Sanchez-Perez at bsanchez@tamiu.edu or call the College of Education at 956.326.2670.

Additional College information is located online at www.tamiu.edu/coedu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu