Education
August 2, 2023
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has appointed Katie Danielson, PhD, assistant professor in UP’s School of Education, to the state’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council. In an August 1 announcement, the state billed the new council as “part of a long-term effort to boost reading and writing proficiency across Oregon.”
Dr. Danielson is one of 20 members on the Council, which includes teachers, principals, representatives from education preparation programs, early literacy experts and bipartisan appointments from the Oregon House and Senate.
In a statement, Governor Kotek said, “I am grateful that these issue experts have come forward to support our students and educators. My executive order was structured to bring together leaders with a wide range of perspectives with the common goal of better supporting children’s ability to read and write. I look forward to working with the Council on enhancing our literacy preparation standards.”
Dr. Danielson’s research and work focuses on early childhood language and literacy, ambitious literacy instruction, teacher education and the integration of justice into practice. She will serve as the Private Educator Preparation Program Representative on the Governor’s Council.
"I am looking forward to collaborating with fellow educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in early literacy to ensure that every child in Oregon has access to ambitious, equitable, and inclusive reading and writing instruction,” Dr. Danielson said.
According to the state’s announcement, Governor Kotek formed the Council to “develop recommendations for strengthening standards that the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) uses to approve elementary educator preparation programs and license elementary educators.”
The TSPC will use these recommendations, which must align with the Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Early Literacy Framework for kindergarten through fifth grade, to adopt new rules next year.
Oregon’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council roster:
· Executive: Governor Kotek or her designee
· Senators (appointed by Senate President Rob Wagner): Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) and Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook)
· Representatives (appointed by House Speaker Dan Rayfield): Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) and Boomer Wright (R-Coos Bay)
· Public Educator Preparation Program Representatives: Ronda Fritz (Eastern Oregon University) and Susan Gardner (Oregon State University)
· Private Educator Preparation Program Representative: Katie Danielson (University of Portland)
· Early Literacy Experts: Julie Esparza Brown (Portland State University), Anita Archer, and Mikkaka Overstreet (Education Northwest)
· Licensed Teacher Representatives: Shahnaz Sahnow (Literacy Specialist - Corvallis School District) and Julie Ragan (Lebanon Community Unit School District)
· Elementary Principal Small District Representative: Heidi Brown (Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District)
· Elementary Principal Large District Representative: Jennifer Whitten (Beaverton School District)
· Tribal Representative: Valerie Switzler (Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs)
· Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) Director: Dr. Anthony Rosilez
· Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Director: Ben Cannon
· Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Director: Dr. Charlene Williams (interim)
· Educator Advancement Council (EAC) Director: Sara Spencer (interim)
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