Degrees: PHD, 1997, New York Univ; MLS, 1979, CUNY Queens Coll; BA, 1967, CUNY Hunter Coll

Bio:

Dr. Joan Zaleski earned her doctorate in English Education at New York University, studying literature, literacy, and curriculum with Dr. John Mayher, whose “Uncommon Sense” perspective toward teaching and learning frames Dr. Zaleski’s research and teaching. Dr. Zaleski teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in children’s literature, poetry, and language arts in both the Literacy Studies and the Elementary Education programs in the Department of Teaching, Literacy and Leadership. Her research has focused on the integration of literacy and the arts, issues of social justice in children’s literature, and reimagining author studies in the classroom. She is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, has authored articles for Language Arts, and is co-editor of the Journal of Balanced Reading Instruction, a journal of the International Reading Association’s Balanced Reading Instruction Special Interest Group. In 2001 Dr. Zaleski initiated a monthly teacher inquiry group, Teacher Talk, for graduates of the Literacy Studies programs. Teacher Talk is registered with NCTE as a TAWL group and has been awarded an NCTE grant to examine author studies. Hofstra University’s Literature and Imagination Conference was initiated by Dr. Zaleski and has been held annually for the past 10 years for students, teachers, librarians, and professionals in the field who are interested in nurturing the role of literature in the lives of children and young adults.