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Dr. Penny Silvers is a professor of literacy and teacher education at 91Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in River Forest, IL.  She is the former director of the reading specialist program and currently teaches literacy and language arts courses and children’s and young adult literature. A former elementary teacher, reading specialist, curriculum developer, and literacy consultant, she has presented nationally and internationally, and provided professional development for schools and teachers in the Chicago area, particularly in underserved, urban communities. Publications include articles and chapters about critical literacy and culturally responsive education, residency based undergraduate education programs, as well as her book, Many Texts, Many Voices: Teaching Literacy and Social Justice to Young Learners in the Digital Age (2014, Stenhouse Publishers) and her first children’s book, My Grandma Rocks. Research interests include culturally responsive, democratic teacher education that expands sociocultural awareness; critical multiliteracies; engaged learning through critical inquiry; and identity transformation of pre-service students into professional educators.  

Education
EdD, National Louis University
MEd, Xavier University
BS, Northwestern University
Research Interests

Culturally responsive, democratic teacher education that expands sociocultural awareness

Critical multiliteracies

Engaged learning through critical inquiry

Identity transformation of pre-service students into professional educators

Selected Publications

Silvers, P. & Hirsley, M. (2023). My Grandma Rocks. Silvers, P. & Hirsley, M. Retrieved from . 

Silvers, P. & Sarvis, J. (2021). Identity Transformation from Student to Professional Educator: A Model for Change. Voices for Educational Equity, 17(2), 24-34. Retrieved from

Silvers, P. & Sarvis, J. (2019). Appraisal Centers: A Formative Assessment Model for Preservice Teachers to Demonstrate Emerging Theory–Practice Understanding. Journal of Education, 200(3), 196-206. DOI: (Original work published 2020).

Sarvis, J. & Silvers, P. (2019). Partnering for a Field-Based Residency: Challenges and Possibilities. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, (IJTLHE). 31(1), 147-153. Retrieved from

Silvers, P. (2018). First Opinion: Loving Through Loss. [Review of the book, The Scar, by C. Moundlic & O. Tallec]. First Opinions, Second Reactions (FOSR), 11(1). Retrieved from

Selected Presentations
Silvers, P. & Sarvis, J. (2020). Growing Beyond Ourselves: Becoming More Culturally Responsive, Inclusive Educators. AACTE, Atlanta, GA.
Silvers, P. & Sarvis, J. (2019). The Appraisal Center: An Authentic Assessment for Pre-Service Teachers. AACTE, Louisville, KY.
Sarvis, J. & Silvers, P. (2018). Implementing a Field-Based Teacher Education Model: Challenges and Possibilities. AACTE, Baltimore, MD.
Silvers, P. (2017). Critical inquiry and social action. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) national conference. Panel Discussion and table leader. NCTE Reading Collaborative group. St. Louis, MO.
Silvers, P. (2016). Faces of Advocacy: Taking Social Action. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) national conference. Panel Discussion and table leader. NCTE Reading Collaborative group. Atlanta, GA.

 

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