Dr. Elizabeth Isidro

Dr. Elizabeth Isidro

2021 Strengthening Community Connections Award Recipient

Dr. Elizabeth Isidro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies. She also serves as the Director of the McGinnis Reading Center. Since her arrival at WMU in August 2018, Dr. Isidro has established strong partnerships within the community and has developed a number of literacy programs for elementary aged students in the greater Kalamazoo area.

To date, she has published seven articles in high-impact research journals and earned the Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in 2014. She was recently awarded a CEHD Development Grant to explore literacy instruction through virtual tutoring. Dr. Isidro works closely with the Kalamazoo Literacy Council and facilitates adult and intergenerational workshops for their Parent Literacy Now! series, and has continued to offer these workshops virtually during the pandemic. She has also provided read aloud sessions at the Kalamazoo Public Library and elementary schools in the community.

Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Isidro has volunteered her time to ensure WMU teacher candidates and K-12 students in community had access to hands-on learning activities through virtual tutoring programs. Her outreach work has been invaluable to many members of the greater Kalamazoo community.

Quote from nomination

I share this award with the students, educators, families, schools, and community organizations who spent their time and energy in working with me to promote literacy in Kalamazoo and elsewhere. There is no greater honor than being able to share myself and serve in this capacity.

- Michael Evans, Supporting Letter

 

Acceptance speech

I share this award with the students, educators, families, schools, and community organizations who spent their time and energy in working with me to promote literacy in Kalamazoo and elsewhere. There is no greater honor than being able to share myself and serve in this capacity.

- Dr. Elizabeth Isidro

 

About the award

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to establishing or strengthening meaningful ties between Western Michigan University and community partners. The awardee's actions have furthered the University as a vital component of the community by advocating greater involvement between the University and community sectors while building lasting community collaborations.

 

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