Tanya Wright, Michigan State University associate professor of language and literacy, was selected to receive the Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award from the International Literacy Association.  

The award recognizes a teacher in higher education who exemplifies outstanding teaching of reading and reading methods and who is an innovative leader, mentor and scholar within the field of literacy education. It is supported by Jerry Johns, a distinguished educator and researcher in teacher education at Northern Illinois University, and a two-time alum of the MSU College of Education (M. ‘66 and Ph.D. ‘70, Elementary Education).  

“Wright is the operational definition of what it means to be a teacher scholar,” said Patricia Edwards, MSU professor, who also nominated Wright for the honor. “She has established herself as a highly regarded national and international scholar on the ways that curriculum, professional development and policy may impact language and literacy instruction during the early years.” 

Wright, and scholars in the College of Education, have a long history with the International Literacy Association. Wright was named the recipient of the Outstanding Dissertation Award in 2012. In 2020, a team of MSU researchers were named as the editorial team for the organization’s journal, The Reading Teacher. Wright serves as the senior editor.  

Edwards was president of the organization in 2010-11, when it was known as the International Reading Association.

For the full story, visit education.msu.edu