Vicki Caruana, associate professor of Education and Gifted Program coordinator at Mount Saint Mary College, gives teachers the tools they need to challenge talented students in Literacy Strategies for Gifted and Accelerated Readers: A Guide for Elementary and Secondary School Educators.
Recently published by Rowman & Littlefield, Literacy Strategies for Gifted and Accelerated Readers provides insight and expertise to general education teachers, teachers of the gifted, special education teachers, homeschool educators, professional developers, and higher education faculty. Teachers who have any number of gifted, accelerated, or keenly interested students in their class will learn exciting and engaging ways to differentiate reading instruction.
“Every child deserves a quality education in which they learn and grow to their potential,” said Caruana. “The needs of gifted students are unique…and they deserve teachers who are prepared to meet those needs.”
Literacy Strategies for Gifted and Accelerated Readers offers educators a dozen tenets for literacy instruction, including learning to identify gifted readers, recognizing and nurturing gifted behaviors and characteristics that impact reading, and more.
As an author, Caruana is known for equipping parents and teachers to provide an excellent and equitable education for students of all ages. Having published more than 30 books, her best-selling work Apples & Chalkdust touched the lives of more than 500,000 educators worldwide and continues to inspire teachers today.
At the Mount, Caruana prepares teacher candidates in a dual certification in special education for both the elementary and secondary programs. She also provides professional development in the areas of inclusion, evidence-based practices, and Individual Education Plan (IEP) implementation. She has taught many in public schools, from kindergarteners through high school seniors, including those with disabilities and gifted students.
Mount Saint Mary College recently unveiled an advanced certificate in Gifted Education for Education students, spearheaded by Caruana. This four-course, 12-credit, graduate-level program provides certified teachers and administrators with expertise in serving the needs of the gifted and talented in every grade. Students can earn this certification through a one-year, online program. Meeting the educational needs of every child in the classroom can be challenging, said Caruana, and this certification will help educators to achieve that goal.
Mount Saint Mary College’s rigorous education program has produced two New York State Teachers of the Year in the last decade: Debra Calvino ’81 (2010) and Dana McDonough ’91, MSEd ’00 (2016).
But Mount Education students begin making a difference long before earning their diplomas: The college is known for its commitment to service and community engagement. Mount Education students enjoy many real-world, experiential learning opportunities during their training. Through programs such as the college’s Collaborative for Equity in Literacy Learning (CELL) and partnerships with local organizations such as the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, Mount teacher candidates, graduate and undergraduate, help instill a love of reading in local youth as part of their community fieldwork requirement.
The Mount’s nationally accredited Education program embeds fieldwork in coursework beginning in sophomore year, and earns high marks in preparing students for New York State licensure.