Recognized as a literacy pioneer, whole language advocate, outstanding educator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 15, 2013
Contact: Wandra Green
(816) 235-1601, greenwb@umkc.edu
KANSAS CITY, Mo.: Dorothy Watson has been named by the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Education’s 2013 Alumni Achievement Award recipient.
Watson, who earned her master’s degree from UMKC in 1964, taught in inner-city Kansas City schools and at institutions in Sierra Leone and Kenya. She also founded a Literacy Center at Park University, in Parkville, Mo., that bears her name. An emerita professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Watson lives in Columbia.
A member of the Reading Hall of Fame, Watson was recognized as an Outstanding Educator (National Council of Teachers of English) and a William T. Kemper teaching fellow. She pioneered the whole language movement, which encourages learning to read while concentrating on meaning and content rather than the phonics/spelling system of reading instruction.
Watson has been published in more than 40 books and numerous professional journals. A book she co-authored, Reading Miscue Inventory, is regarded as a classic text on literary assessment.
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association presents alumni awards to one honoree from each school and five campus-wide awards at its annual awards luncheon. This year’s event, which will highlight the 80th anniversary of the campus and include the presentation of the 2013 Chancellor’s Medal, will be held on Thursday, April 18, on the UMKC campus. For information and tickets for the event, click here.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2013. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.
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