Patricia A. Becker

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 5^th grade! Magee
        Elementary, Genesee Depot, WI. Kettle Moraine School District.
Becker, P. (2022, March). Improving reading assessment for early literacy. EverGreen Academy,
        Racine, WI.