Degrees and Certifications

Responsibilities

Biography

 Dr. Kathleen Crawford-McKinney is an associate professor of Reading, Language, and literature where she teaches and researchers in the area of global children’s literature. Her focus is to bring books and children together, thereby opening windows on the world. She encourages thoughtful dialogue around global literature so that children can reflect on their own cultural experiences and connect to the experiences of children across the globe. Through her work with teachers, she encourages teachers to support their students in building bridges across cultures as a way to encourage the development of intercultural understanding and global perspectives. Her published books relate to her interest in developing teachers’ literacy knowledge through curriculum development.

Area of Expertise

Literacy engagement in children’s literature, writing, curriculum, collaborative learning environments, and inquiry. Committed to preparing urban teachers to meet the needs of PK-12 learners through culturally sustaining pedagogy.

Research Interests

• Intercultural Understandings through Children's Literature
• Inquiry Based Curriculum
• Writing Process & Practice

Awards

• College of Education: Service Award, Wayne State University, 2022
• College of Education: Teacher of the Year, Illinois State University, 1999

Grants

• Principal Investigator, Agency: Michigan Department of Education
  2017-2020 Title II A (3) Improving Teacher Quality Completive Grant Program, March 2018 - 2020
  Title: WSU Dream Keepers Urban Teacher Residency
  Direct Cost: $199,999.
• Principal Investigator, Agency: Michigan Department of Education
  2017-2020 Title II A (3) Improving Teacher Quality Completive Grant Program, March 2016 – 2020
  Title: WSU Dream Keepers Urban Teacher Residency
  Direct Cost: $500,000.
• Principal Investigator, Agency: National Writing Project Organization: Sept. 2014-16
  Title: 2014-16 SEED Teacher Leadership Development Grant.
  Direct Cost: $20,000.
• Principal Investigator Agency: National Writing Project Organization: 2015-16
  Title: Wayne State Writing Project Assignment Matters Project
  Grant Award: $2000.
•  Co-Principal Investigator Agency: National Writing Project Organization: 2006-2012
  Title: Wayne State Writing Project 
  Cumulative Grant Award: $160,000

Community Engagement Activities

• World of Words International Collection of Children’s and Adolescent Literature (2007-present). Board advisor playing a key role in the development of WOW’s policies and programs.
• World of Words International Collection of Children’s and Adolescent Literature (2007-present). Article reviewer for Wow Reviews.
• National Endowment for the Humanities. Institutes K-12 Educators Panel Reviewer (2023).
• World of Words International Collection of Children’s and Adolescent Literature (2014-2021). Column Editor for My Take Your Take
• Michigan Reading Journal Reviewer (2022-present)
• Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (2011-2017) Board Member.
• Reading Horizons Reviewer (2002-2022). Reviewer for this international literacy journal. As a journal devoted to teaching reading and writing at all levels, it addresses theoretical and instructional issues, concerns and trends in literacy..
• International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education (2021). Guest reviewer for children’s literature article. The aim of the journal is to enhance the practice and theory of qualitative research in education, with “education” defined in the broadest possible sense, including non-school settings
• The Dream Keepers Advisory Board (2016-2020).
• Detroit Public Schools Community District Academic Council (2016-2017).

 

Presentations

1. Crawford-McKinney, K., Day, Deanna, Fahrenbruck, M. Mathis, J., Ryman, C., Short, K., Sung, Y-K., (accepted). Stories of Belonging: Exploring our Responsibility to the Cosmos, Self, Texts and Others. National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention, November 2024. Boston, MA.
2. Short, K. & Crawford-McKinney, K. (2023). A Dozen Ukrainian Books. National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention, November 2023, Columbus, OH.
3. Crawford-McKinney, K., Day, Deanna, Fahrenbruck, M. Mathis, J., Ryman, C., Short, K., Sung, Y-K., (2023). The Challenge of Critically Reflecting on Loyalty and Openness through a Cosmopolitan Lens with Elementary Teachers. National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention, November 2023, Columbus, OH.
4. Crawford-McKinney, K. (2020). Empathy Enacted: Building on Empathy through Global Literature. Tucson Book Festival. Tucson, AZ.
5. Crawford-McKinney, K. (2019). Examining World Views on Immigrants and Refugees through Children’s Literature. Tucson Book Festival. Tucson, AZ.
6. Crawford-McKinney, K. (2018). Author Rounds Telling their Stories. Tucson Book Festival. Tucson, AZ.
7. Crawford-McKinney, K., Hampton, C, van Belle, L. (2018), Hold Fast: Co-constructing an Urban Teacher Residency Program. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Baltimore, MD.
8. Crawford-McKinney, K. (2017), Teacher Recruitment: The Dream Keepers Teacher Residency Program. National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, San Diego.
9. Crawford-McKinney, K, Jackson, C., & van Belle, L. (2016). Asking Ourselves the Tough Questions: Reimagining Effective Urban Teacher Preparation through Clinical Practice. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Baltimore, MD.
10. Crawford-McKinney, K. & Morwood, C. (2015). Literacy for Babies and Toddlers. Paper presented at Tucson Book Festival. Tucson, AZ..
11.  Crawford-McKinney, K. & Book, B. (2014). Literacy Strategies for the very Young. Paper presented at Tucson Book Festival. Tucson, AZ.
12. Crawford-McKinney, K. (2013). Teacher Educators Adapting to the Needs of Culturally Diverse Students Living in Poverty. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association in San Francisco.
13. Crawford-McKinney, K. Marten, P., & Sung, Y. K. (2012). Best books for babies and toddlers. Tucson Book Festival. Tucson, AZ.
14. Crawford-McKinney, K. (2012). Preparing Urban Teachers in a Post-Industrial City. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association. Vancouver, Canada.
15. Crawford-McKinney, K. Marten, P., & Sung, Y. K. (2012). Best books for babies and toddlers. Tucson Book Festival. Tucson, AZ.
16. Crawford-McKinney, K. (2011). National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention. November 2011. Chicago, IL.
17. Crawford-McKinney K. & Jackson, C. (2011). Preparing Teacher Candidates to be Effective Urban Educators: A Reflection on the Accreditation Process. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association. New Orleans, LA.
18. Crawford-McKinney, K, & Kinkead, C (2009). Young writers and their mentors: Teachers, texts, tools, & trusted friends. 21st Annual Literacies for All Summer Institute sponsored by the Whole Language Umbrella (WLU) in cooperation with the Center for the Expansion of Language and Literacy (CELT). Columbia, SC. 

Featured publications

When Sophie thinks she can’t

Crawford-McKinney, K., & Özgün-Koca, S. A. (2022). When Sophie thinks she can’t. Special Issue on Global Perspectives in STEM. Worlds of Words Reviews, 14(2).

Keywords

Children's literature
Mathematics
STEM

Engaging students with mathematics and children’s literature. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching Pre-K–12

Crawford-McKinney, K. & Özgün-Koca, S. A. (2022). Engaging students with mathematics and children’s literature. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching Pre-K–12.

Keywords

Children's literature
Mathematics

Power of Yet: The Integration of the Culturally Responsive Literature with the Productive Struggle in Mathematics

Crawford-McKinney, K., Özgün-Koca, S. A., & Rebar, K. (2022). Power of Yet: The Integration of the Culturally Responsive Literature with the Productive Struggle in Mathematics. Michigan Reading Journal 54(2) 50-56.

Keywords

Children's literature
Mathematics
Power of yet

We used a children's book with three groups of students (ages 6-9) to foster mathematical engagement through read alouds. We share lessons learned from this experience as we integrate children’s literature with mathematics through the lens of Power of Yet. 

 

Publications

Additional courses taught

Undergraduate:
ELE 6200: (3 credit hours) (Wi 2019, Wi 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Fall 2021, Fall 22, Fall 24) Diverse Children’s Literature in the Elementary Classroom PK-6

Graduate:
ED 7999 (3 credit hours) (Sp/Su 2018, Sp/Su 2019)
Master’s Seminar for The Dream Keepers Program
RLL 7750 – Analysis of Children’s Literature (Wi 2020, Fall 2021)
RLL 8600 - Internship: Research & Teaching (Fa 2020, Wi 22, Sp/Su 22, Fa 22, Wi 23, Sp/Su 23, Fa 23, Wi 2024)

Courses taught by Kathleen Crawford-McKinney

Fall Term 2024 (future)

• ELE6200 - Diverse Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers

Spring-Summer Term 2024

• ELE6200 - Diverse Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers

Fall Term 2023

• ELE6200 - Diverse Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers

Fall Term 2022

• ELE6200 - Diverse Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers

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