Danling Fu named Graduate Teacher of the Year

Her research on children’s writing development and immigrant student literacy is widely published and read. Her years of involvement with the National Council of Teachers of English have led to several influential positions with that organization. And she is always willing to share the wealth by opening new doors for her graduate students.

No wonder Professor Danling Fu, of the School of Teaching and Learning, was named the College of Education’s Graduate Teacher of the Year.

Fu has written and published widely on children’s writing development and literacy for immigrant students. She has served as a consultant on bilingual education and English language learners for school systems across the East Coast and in California. Fu is deeply involved in the National Council of Teachers of English (or NCTE), and has held a number of significant posts with that organization. Most recently, she was appointed to the NCTE’s Commission on Composition.

Fu sets the standard for mentoring at the graduate level. Many students describe her class in family literacy and culture as a “life-changing experience.”

Fu creates a collegial environment for her graduate students through weekly meetings to discuss their readings and ideas. All of her students write proposals for presentation of their research to the NCTE; at conferences, she introduces them to scholars in their field. As a result, many of her former students have gone on to become cutting-edge researchers in their own right.