Language, Identity, and Literacy: Teaching with Cultural Responsiveness and Clarity with Dr. Ramona T. Pittman
What role does language play in shaping literacy and identity? Dr. Ramona T. Pittman joins Literacy Matters: Empowered Conversations to explore African American English (AAE) and its impact on reading development. She explains key linguistic features of AAE, its cultural significance, and why affirming students’ language is essential to equity in education. Dr. Pittman also shares evidence-based strategies teachers can use to build strong literacy foundations, affirm identity, and close opportunity gaps for diverse learners.
Thought Leader: Dr. Ramona T. Pittman
Dr. Ramona T. Pittman is an educator, researcher, and early literacy advocate with over 20 years of experience in education. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on literacy and champions evidence-based instruction that affirms students’ linguistic and cultural identities, especially speakers of African American English. Widely published and a frequent national presenter, she equips educators to close literacy gaps. Dr. Pittman serves on the boards of the Center for Effective Reading Instruction and International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) Dyslexia Definition Steering Committee, is associate editor for The Elementary School Journal, and contributes her expertise as a Reading League Summit panelist alongside leading literacy scholars.
Get to Know the Host: Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift
Cheryl holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, is a distinguished educational leader, and has been recognized with multiple awards for her achievements. She served as the lead curriculum developer for Learning Without Tears' Get Set for School Language and Literacy curriculum, which received an AEP Distinguished Achievement Award, and was awarded the Investors Bank Educator of the Year Award.
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