Dr. Lauren Ingraham and Dr. Jennifer Beech recently received $65,597
from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to support a workshop
entitled "Using Nonfiction to Build Critical Literacy."  In this
project, Drs. Ingraham and Beech will prepare middle and high school
teachers in local counties to use innovative classroom strategies for
improving student literacy.

This project will build on the success of three similar workshops
previously funded by THEC. This year's workshop focuses on teaching
literacy through nonfiction texts.

Drs. Beech and Ingraham believe that increased comprehension of
informational texts will benefit students across all disciplines. By
preparing teachers to integrate reading and writing with other subjects,
Drs. Ingraham and Beech will enable students to make connections between
their studies and the world.

Drs. Beech and Ingraham are specifically reaching out to teachers from
school districts with poor reading comprehension test scores. By
continuing to teach reading skills through middle and high school, the
Co-Directors hope to reduce the need for remedial English coursework in
college.

Congratulations to Drs. Beech and Ingraham! Your efforts to improve
teaching techniques will enhance students' reading and writing skills
and empower the next generation to seize the power of literacy.