The Jack Cassidy Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Jack Cassidy is a Professor Emeritus at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. He is known for his work on literacy trends and issues as exemplified by his yearly column in Reading Today, “What’s Hot, What’s Not.” He is a former President of the International Reading Association and the College Reading Association and is the co-founder of the Texas Association of Literacy Association. His hard work and dedication is appreciated by TALE, and this award, named in his honor, is designed to recognize individuals who support literacy education in the state of Texas. This award is presented to any teacher-- public, elementary, secondary, or university level-- who has demonstrated exemplary service in this field.
Applications are now being accepted.
Guidelines for Selection of Recipient:
1. Nominees must have made significant contributions in the area of literacy education in the form of scholarship, teaching, and professional service.
2. Nominees must have made a significant contribution to TALE and the education profession.
3. Nominees must be a member of TALE.
Nominations will be accepted from current TALE members. To nominate an individual for TALE's Jack Cassidy Distinguished Service Award, please complete the following electronic submission form: https://forms.gle/3mquHjGE7iUrENxH9
Nominations will be accepted through January 5th each year.
Previous Recipients
Dr. Bethanie Pletcher 2024 - 2025
Dr. Bethanie Pletcher is a faculty member at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), where she teaches literacy courses. Her career spans roles as a reading specialist, literacy coach, and educator in grades 2nd and 5th before transitioning to higher education. She leads TAMUCC's iHeart Literacy Program, impacting elementary students through small group instruction while mentoring future educators. Dr. Pletcher's contributions to the field include co-editing for the Texas Journal of Literacy Education and serving as president of the Specialized Literacy Professionals. She has been honored with prestigious awards, including the 2022 Judy Richardson Literacy as Legacy Award from the Association for Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER) and now the Jack Cassidy Distinguished Service Award from TALE.
Dr. Bethanie Pletcher is a faculty member at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), where she teaches literacy courses. Her career spans roles as a reading specialist, literacy coach, and educator in grades 2nd and 5th before transitioning to higher education. She leads TAMUCC's iHeart Literacy Program, impacting elementary students through small group instruction while mentoring future educators. Dr. Pletcher's contributions to the field include co-editing for the Texas Journal of Literacy Education and serving as president of the Specialized Literacy Professionals. She has been honored with prestigious awards, including the 2022 Judy Richardson Literacy as Legacy Award from the Association for Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER) and now the Jack Cassidy Distinguished Service Award from TALE.
Jack Cassidy, 2013-2014
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Stephanie Grote-Garcia, 2014-2015
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Susan Szabo, 2015-2016
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Rosalind Horowitz, 2017-2018
Dr. Jacqueline Ingram, 2023-2024
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