Sophie C. Degener, Ed. D.
Title:
Associate Professor in Reading and Language
Programs/Classes Taught:
B.A. in Elementary Education
M.A.T. in Elementary Education
M.Ed. in Reading
Ed.D. in Reading and Language
PRE-SERVICE COURSES:
LAE-307, Literature for Children
RLL-480A, Teaching Reading and Language Arts
RLL-538, Literacy Methods I, K-4
RLL-539, Literacy Methods II, Grades 5-9
RLL-540, Methods and Materials for Teaching Reading and Language Arts (Alternative Certification)
READING PROGRAM COURSES:
RLR-501, Teaching Beginning Reading
RLR-513, Diagnosis and Correction for the Older Student
RLR-592A & B, Practicum in Remedial Reading
RLR-593, Seminar in Reading Research
DOCTORAL COURSES:
RLD-601, Research in Early Literacy
Areas of Expertise:
Family Literacy, Early Literacy, Differentiated Instruction, Balanced Literacy
Biography:
Dr. Sophie Degener joined the faculty of the reading and language program at National Louis University in 2006. She teaches classes in beginning reading, reading research, and literacy methods to undergraduates, masters students and doctoral students. She is also the coordinator for the pre-service reading program. Her research interests include family literacy, primary literacy instruction, and teacher education.
Prior to her work as a professor, she taught in the Evanston Public Schools. Her work with readers of all abilities and their families has motivated her interest in helping educators understand the unique needs and circumstances of every student in order to design instruction, using high quality materials, that best meets those needs. She does professional development work with local schools to help teachers and administrators understand and implement balanced literacy instruction that reflects current understandings of best practice, especially in differentiated instruction, guided reading, and writing.
Dr. Degener is Associate Editor for the Illinois Reading Council Journal, co-editing and writing the quarterly Professional Development column. She has recently co-authored two books on differentiated reading instruction with Jennifer Berne:
Responsive Guided Reading in Grades K-5: Simplifying Small Group Instruction, published in 2010 by Guilford Press; and
Strategic Reading Groups: Guiding Readers in the Middle Grades, published in 2012 by Corwin Press.
Education:
2006 Ed.D. Language and Literacy Harvard University Graduate School of Education
1990 M.A.T. Elementary Education National-Louis University
1988 B.A., Cum Laude English University of Vermont
Research and Interests:
Dr. Degener is currently conducting research in Chicago Public Schools, investigating how pre-service methods classes prepare teachers for their work in urban school settings. In addition, she is beginning a study that will look at teacher learning in classrooms implementing responsive guided reading.
Contact Information:
Sophie C. Degener
Associate Professor, Reading and Language
224-233-2018
sophie.degener@nl.edu
http://nlu.nl.edu/academics/nce/randl/
NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY | 5202 Old Orchard Road, #437, Skokie, Illinois 60076
