
Patricia A. Becker
Faculty - Special Education
Departments
Teacher Education
Phone
(414) 410-4181
Building
BH Bonaventure Hall 2025
Mailbox
Box 334
Biography
Dr. Patricia A. Becker teaches undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level courses in the Kellner College of Education, Literacy and Leadership. She supervises students in general and special education field and practicum placements, serves as an advisor on doctoral students’ committees, and has co-facilitated the professional development seminar for student teachers. Dr. Becker has taught courses in early childhood methods, language and literacy, foundations of special education, formal and informal assessment, and classroom management.
Her research interests include early childhood play, language and literacy, teacher preparation and arts integration.
Education
- B.S., Univ Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- M.S., Marquette University
- Ph.D., Cardinal Stritch University
Expertise
Early childhood language and literacy; Teacher preparation and development
Publications & Presentations
Recent publications:
Becker, P. (2023, Winter, In-press). Engaging preservice teachers and elementary students in
author-illustrator studies. Wisconsin State Reading Association (WSRA) Journal.
Becker, P. (2022). What are we going to do? Problem solving in sociodramatic play. Dimensions
of Early Childhood.
Becker, P. (2022.) Orange S’more-ange (V. Alexandre, Illus). Mascot Books.
Becker, P. (2020). Teaching language and literacy through the visual arts: An
interdisciplinary, literature-based approach. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 52(3), 166-179.
Recent paper presentations:
Becker, P. (2023, February). From a line to a leaf to a letter: Symbolic representation in play, art,
and literacy. Paper presented for the Wisconsin Speech Language Hearing Association,
Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Becker, P. & Schoonover, R. (2022, June). Just hired!: But do I know how to teach? Paper
presented at The Teaching Professor Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Becker, P. (2022, February). Creating synergy in the ELA classroom: Integrating literacy and the
visual arts. Paper presented at the Wisconsin State Reading Association Conference.
Becker, P. & EDL 740 Doctoral Students (2022, February). Explicit instruction and modeling of
executive skills to support comprehension. Paper presented at the Wisconsin State Reading Association Conference.
Recent in-service presentations:
Becker, P. (2023, January). From dramatic play to drama-based pedagogy: Tools for academic
and social-emotional learning. Wales Elementary, Wales, WI. Kettle Moraine School District.
Becker, P. (2022, August). Learning through play from PreK to 5th grade! Magee
Elementary, Genesee Depot, WI. Kettle Moraine School District.
Becker, P. (2022, March). Improving reading assessment for early literacy. EverGreen Academy,
Racine, WI.
Why Stritch?
"I pursued my doctorate at Stritch because it is a well-respected institution with a long-standing (80+ years!) commitment to promoting literacy and serving the underserved. When I ask our first-year teacher candidates, “What do you think is unique about the Stritch teaching and learning environment?” they respond, “the diverse student population, the small teacher-student ratio and the knowledgeable and caring faculty.”"
- Patricia A. Becker