McTigue Garners New Faculty Award
9/8/09
Erin McTigue knows what it's like to be that child struggling to read.
"While my friends all learned to read upon our arrival in school, I spent kindergarten, first grade and second grade as a nonreader," she says. "I tried to hide my nonreading by memorizing books, but that didn't work very well, and then I started to get very anxious and avoidant about school in general. Finally, in third grade, with the guidance of an excellent teacher named Mrs. Pontillo, I somehow made that letter-sound connection, and reading just fell into place."
Today, Erin is an assistant professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture as well as the director of the Reading Clinic, where graduate students provide reading assessment and individualized tutoring for local children who are trying to learn to read.
"I now study reading because I experienced firsthand the frustrations of being a struggling reader and the impact that teachers can have to help students be successful," she says.
A sign of the need for this kind of public service, the Reading Clinic receives an overwhelming response when Erin recruits local children for tutoring. Erin is looking into ways to expand the clinic services with undergraduate tutors.
"Erin is not just a teacher; she is a mentor and guide," says Alicia Packer, a graduate student who worked in the Reading Clinic. "She prepares her students with the knowledge they need for their field experiences and guides them as they spread their wings to fly."
Erin earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction, specializing in reading education, from the University of Virginia. She joined the faculty of Texas A&M University in 2006.
In her short time at Texas A&M University, Erin has already made a positive impact on her students, colleagues and field. Her efforts will be recognized with the 2009 College of Education and Human Development Outstanding New Faculty Award. Erin will be honored in September at the College Awards Celebration.
"Erin's courses in reading education focus on real-life relevance, social interaction in learning and the creative design of assignments," says Mark Sadoski, professor of reading education. "Students flock to Erin; she is already chairing or co-chairing the committees of three doctoral students and serving as a member on 13 doctoral committees."
"The rate at which Erin publishes is exemplary, but the degree to which she collaborates with colleagues within and beyond her department and Texas A&M is equally remarkable and indicative of the professional respect she has earned in her short career in higher education,” says John Helfeldt, professor of reading education.
