TALE'S ELECTED OFFICERS
Dr. Neva Cramer (2023-2025)
As a TALE member for many years, I have greatly benefitted from the collaboration and learning through this organization. Through TALE I have used my research in literacy and learning through the arts to address the need to reach today's visual learners and culturally diverse students through creative pedagogy that utilizes the visual and communicative arts. Enhancing learning through the visual and communicative arts has the potential for developing critical and creative thinking dispositions and makes us passionate researchers of new knowledge. My research has evolved into an arts-based trauma-informed pedagogy in hopes of training teachers how to recognize and adapt to the many students traumatized by poverty, isolation, abuse, and neglect, and even a Covid induced changing society where school often offers the most opportunity for care, creativity, and what we at Schreiner University refer to as the chance for finding meaningful work and purposeful lives in a changing global society. In October 2022, I was awarded the Joyce Hardin Service Award for Outstanding Service to the Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Education Profession. I am so honored to serve.
Jessica Jones (2023-2025)
Jessica Jones is currently the principal of Kingsland School, a public charter school which is a part of Orenda Education, in Kingsland, Tx. Before moving to her current position, she was a District Data Fellow, RLA Instructional Coach, ESL Campus Coordinator, and Texas Reading Academies Cohort Leader with Rapoport Academy in Waco. She began her career in education in 2012 and has previously taught ELAR at the elementary level.
Jessica is a graduate of the University of Texas-Arlington. She holds a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Triple Literacy focus of Reading Specialist, Master Reading Teacher, and ESL. In 2021, she completed the additional coursework at Lamar University to gain her certification for Principal as Instructional Leader. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in School Improvement from the University of Texas-Tyler.
Jessica is currently a member of the TALE Advocacy Development Committee.
Jessica is a graduate of the University of Texas-Arlington. She holds a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Triple Literacy focus of Reading Specialist, Master Reading Teacher, and ESL. In 2021, she completed the additional coursework at Lamar University to gain her certification for Principal as Instructional Leader. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in School Improvement from the University of Texas-Tyler.
Jessica is currently a member of the TALE Advocacy Development Committee.
Dr. Leah Carruth (2022-2024)
Leah Carruth, Ph.D. is currently an Associate Professor at Angelo State University in the Department of Teacher Education. She obtained her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Language and Literacy. Prior to teaching in higher education, Leah taught in Texas schools for nine years. She is the counselor of the Mu Gamma Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, involving her students in multiple literacy events for local schools and early learning centers. She has presented in multiple conferences on literacy and culturally responsive learning centers focused upon literacy. Her research interests include early childhood, early literacy development, social/emotional learning, culturally relevant practices, and pre-service teacher education.
Dr. Jill Culmo (2023-2025)
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Dr. Jill Culmo began her career in public education over twenty-six years ago. Throughout her tenure, she taught first through fifth grades and has worked as an early literacy specialist, curriculum writer, and professional development writer and presenter. She currently works for Dallas Independent School District’s Early Learning Department as an Instructional Strategy Coordinator. Dr. Culmo is also an adjunct professor in the School of Education at Dallas College.
Dr. Culmo is a graduate of the University of North Texas. She received her Master of Science in Reading in 2003 and Doctor of Education degree in 2009 from Texas A&M University—Commerce. Her areas of expertise include early literacy, word study, comprehension, and motivation to read. Dr. Culmo has previously served TALE in various capacities including Secretary and ILA Coordinator. |
Dr. Kelly C. Johnston (2022-2024)
Kelly C. Johnston, Ed.D., is an Assistant Professor of Literacy Studies at Baylor University. Dr. Johnston’s research interests include sociocultural, critical, and affective approaches to children and youths' engagement with literacy in interdisciplinary spaces. Along with her research on reimagining schooled literacies, Dr. Johnston is currently examining the integration of literacy with physical activity and health as well integration of literacy across content areas through inquiry-based learning. Both of these projects seek to produce more equitable and just opportunities for children and youth who have been marginalized due to cultural, linguistic, racial-ethnic, and neurodiverse identities and practices. Dr. Johnston teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. Before coming to Baylor, Dr. Johnston taught graduate courses at Teachers College, Columbia University, and at The City College of New York while working as a research fellow in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. To learn more about Dr. Johnston’s work, visit www.kellycjohnston.com
