Elementary Education Professor Honored For Vast Achievements

As part of the Inaugural Professor Lecture Series at Utah State University, Martha Dever, professor of early childhood education, was honored Jan. 25 at the Haight Alumni Center by family, friends and colleagues for her recent promotion to full professorship.

 

In her lecture, Dever discussed how she considers herself a “boundary pusher” and how the focus of her career is advocacy for children.

 

Dever said she trains teachers to value all children in the classroom, and encourages teachers to not be afraid to help children understand religion, because it plays such a large role in all culture.

 

“Dever uses her research and publication to advocate on behalf of young children and their families,” said Bernie Hayes, department head of the department of early childhood education. “Her research has resulted in legislative change in Utah, the Family Literacy Bags Program and strategies for teaching young children about social justice.”

 

Family Literacy Bags can be purchased in multiple languages and include books, follow-up activities and other materials to enhance home-school connections and to encourage parents to read with their children.

 

“The Family Literacy Bags Program is designed to meet the diverse needs of families including non-native English speakers and those living in poverty,” said Hayes.

 

Dever is currently writing a textbook, “Foundations and Change in Early Childhood Education,” and is interviewing teachers about the recent “No Child Left Behind” legislation. Dever said it’s important to get teachers’ opinions on it, because it was created by non-educators. She will share her findings the state and federal legislators.

 

Dever is a former preschool, kindergarten and primary grade teacher who received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western State College in Colorado. She also received master’s and doctorate degrees in early childhood education from the University of Northern Colorado. She has authored and co-authored many national and international publications.

 

She began her career at Utah State in 1993 as an assistant professor, and has also filled such roles as interim director of Emma Eccles Jones Center for Early Childhood Education, interim department head for the department of secondary education and other positions.

 

To find out more about Dever and her accomplishments, visit her Web site. 

 

The next professor to be honored in the series will be Alvan C. Hengge, from the department of chemistry and biochemistry. His lecture will be held Feb. 1 at the University Residence.