Did you know that there are over 160 different ways to speak English correctly? While many educators understand that children may come to school speaking different languages, fewer understand that children come to school speaking the same language differently. In the United States’ ever diversifying populations, it is imperative for teachers to connect to and examine the linguistic skills their students bring to the classroom. Given the many ways English can be spoken, it is important for teachers to understand how and why some varieties of English have been more stigmatized than others. How can teachers create more inclusive and effective learning environments for Black Language speakers that foster the development of foundational literacy skills? Join us for the third “Meet the Researcher” featuring Dr. Megan-Brette Hamilton and Dr. Jasmine Rogers to learn more.
Megan-Brette Hamilton, PhD, CCC-SLP, Chief Staff Officer for Multicultural Affairs at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). In her current role, she oversees ASHA’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, as well as ASHA Professional Development, Continuing Education, and Convention and Meetings teams. Previously, she worked 10 years as an SLP in New York City K-12 schools and then as an academic professor and qualitative researcher. She has published, presented, and trained on the topics of African American English, culturally responsive practices, and effective communication across a variety of audiences. Megan-Brette has consulted on culturally-linguistically responsive practices for teaching and assessing literacy skills and currently sits on the advisory boards for the Maryland Initiative for Literacy Equity (MILE) and the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education. Megan-Brette is the former host and producer of the Honeybee Connection podcast by MB, and owner of www.meganbrettehamilton.com.
Dr. Jasmine Rogers is a Manager and Coach with the In Schools Program at the DC Reading Clinic, a clinical reading practicum program with the District of Columbia Public Schools. In this role, she facilitates Professional Development on structured literacy best practices, and coaches teachers as they apply their learning to their small-group instructional practice. Prior to this role, she taught elementary school in both public and public charter schools in Washington, DC for 9 years, in a variety of teaching roles, including kindergarten, reading specialist, self contained and resource special education. Currently, she is an Early Literacy Intervention Scholar at American University, where she earned her EdD in Education Policy and Leadership within the Early Literacy Interventions Cohort. Her research focuses on the intersection of Black Language and best practices for structured literacy instruction, working to help teachers develop linguistically and culturally responsive teaching practices as they teach foundational literacy skills. She also works as an Adjunct Instructor, teaching a Foundations of Reading course to preservice teachers in the Teacher Education Master’s Program at American University.
Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Rogers will share a bit of their research before engaging in a conversation entitled, “For the Love of Black Language: It’s about Connection, not Correction” will be followed by a Q&A. Dr. Hamilton will share her insights and research on using positive non-comparative language to describe Black Language, along with the impact of reading in familiar and unfamiliar linguistic codes. Dr. Rogers will share information on her research on educator responses to Black Language speaking students in structured literacy lessons, highlighting Black Language as a legitimate and valuable form of communication. Their shared conversation will highlight the importance of understanding identity and culture as a catalyst to better understanding language, and the characteristics and significance of Black Language in the classroom.
This event is part of the “Meet the Researcher” series co-presented by Planet Word in partnership with The Reading League—DC, designed to empower educators, academics, and interested adults with knowledge, inspiration, and evidenced-based insights to help end the literacy crisis in America, one student at a time.
Suggested Pre-Reading: