My philosophy of teaching is rooted in cognitive processing theory (Palincsar & Brown, 1989; Pearson & Gallagher, 1983; Pressley & Block, 2002), transactional theory (Rosenblatt, 1978) and critical literacy theory (Freire, 1970, 1998). Cognitive processing theory uses the gradual release method. Through this method, students receive increasing levels of responsibility for learning teaching tasks during the course. My teaching focuses upon cognitive processing and application. In this regard, critical literacy complements the cognitive learning process.
Critical literacy is the ability to actively read a text that promotes an understanding of social concepts and human relationships. Critical literacy enhances student understanding by providing him or her with opportunities to explore texts from different perspectives and to make meaningful transactions with the text (Rosenblatt, 1978). These interactions, in turn, are the basis of transactional theory, the study of how reading comprehension is influenced by schema, culture, and society. Through this lens, student meaning is constructed.
My coursework uses critical literacy and cognitive processing to highlight and enhance student transactional opportunities to explore multiple meanings contained within reading selections. My teaching builds upon cognitive processing by incorporating critical literacy topics within the course to offer pre- and in-service teachers with opportunities to explore texts from a critical perspective (Freire, 1998). Through this process, students learn that language is never neutral and they develop their own methods for selecting text titles, genres, authors, and subject matter to enhance inclusivity.
My research interests focus upon praxis, the “reflection and action upon the world order in order to transform it” (Freire, 1972 p. 33). This research investigates (1) core reading programs, (2) children's literature, (3) the use of critical literacy, (4) mindfulness in education, and (5) best practices in teacher education. Much of my research focuses on the role of teaching to strengthen communities.
Ciampa, K., Reisboard, D. & McHenry, N. (2022) What Analysis Reveals about Teacher Educators’ Understanding of Culturally Responsive Instruction and Translation into Practice, The Teacher Educator, 10.1080/08878730.2022.2066742 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08878730.2022.2066742?scroll=top&needAccess=true
Reisboard, D., & Ciampa, K. (2021). Culturally responsive education during literacy coursework in an undergraduate teacher education program. PA Reads.
Ciampa, K., & Reisboard, D. (2020) Books like me: An investigation of urban elementary teachers’ journey’s toward more culturally responsive pedagogy. Journal for Multicultural Education.
Ciampa, K., Reisboard, D. (2020). Redesigning a reading specialist certification program: developing introspective literacy leaders through action research. Educational Action Research
Reisboard, D. (2017). Discovering read aloud books that develop character and cognition. PA Reads: Journal of KSRA.
Reisboard, D. (2015). Promoting equity and inclusion with critical literacy pedagogy. Workshop presentation at the European Conference on Literacy, Klagenfurt, Austria.
Reisboard, D., & Jay, A. B. (2013). Teachers’ perceptions: Transitioning from teacher selected materials to implementing a core reading program. E-Journal of Balanced Reading Instruction, 1(2), 24–39.
Pennsylvania Educators Diversity Consortium (PEDC)
International Literacy Association (ILA)
National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME)
Association of Teacher Educators (ATE)
2023 Provost Grant, Widener University
2023 Faculty Development Grant, Widener University
2020 Faculty Development Grant (July 2020- July 2021; $1,000)
2019 Faculty Development Grant (July 2019-July 2020; $1,800)
2018 Borislow Community-Engaged Faculty Research Fellowship Award: The effects of transactional strategy instruction to support urban elementary students’ comprehension in the 21st century (July 2018-July 2019; $6,000; Role: PI)
2018 Widener University Faculty Development Grant: undergraduate research assistant (July 2018-July 2019; $400.00; PI).
2016 Widener University Faculty Development Grant: read alouds that develop character and cognition (July 2016-July2017; $400. Role; PI)
2015 Faculty Development Grant, Widener University
2014 International Reading Association May member of the month
2014 Faculty Development Grant, Widener University
2004 The Edward Fry Fellowship, Rutgers University, awarded annually to an outstanding doctoral student whose field of concentration is in literacy development
Student Riya Sembhi '25 shares her experience about the education department’s excursion to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C that expanded her perspective on the devastation of the Holocaust.
Dana Reisboard, associate professor of education, is quoted in this article discussing read-along products for children. Reisboard shares that these devices can help improve reading comprehension skills and confidence in reading.
Widener University is the featured institution for the month of October by Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the honor society for the International Literacy Association. Dana Reisboard, associate professor of education, and Katia Ciampa, associate professor of education, organized a virtual event in which they inducted six Widener students into the organization: Timothy Crowley, Nina Derhagopian, Patrice Hammond, Meagan Hensley, Kristen Peters, and Andrea Rutledge.
Dana Reisboard, associate professor of education, is quoted in this article examining Banned Books Week which took place from October 1 - 7. Reisboard emphasizes the importance of books reflecting diverse voices and experiences in order to uplift those in marginalized communities.
Dana Reisboard, associate professor in the Center for Education, is the featured guest on "In It Together" hosted by Stacey Mandrel. The pair talk about social inequalities, recent legislation related to the field of education, mindfulness, and more. The interview begins at 2:28 and ends at 43:47.
Associate Professor Dana Reisboard provides guidance to help children develop a love of reading.