Aimee Morewood
College of Applied Human Sciences
Aimee Morewood always knew she wanted to be a teacher after, as an undergraduate, she was able to work in schools with teachers and really gain some valuable experience in the field.
“Then, as a novice teacher, I realized I needed more information on how to teach reading more effectively to my students so that I could give them the support they needed to develop as independent readers.”
Aimee decided to go into a graduate program where she would earn her master’s degree and her Reading Specialist certification. Then, wanting to learn more about the curriculum side of education, she pursued a second master’s degree before earning her PhD in the area of reading instruction at the University of Pittsburgh.
Morewood says there is a real need for excellent reading teachers.
“Every single job has some type of reading associated with it. Teachers are the ones who open the doors to reading for so many children. Being knowledgeable about how to work with all students so that they can progress in literacy impacts individual students, schools, and communities. Teachers touch every single one of these through their work.”
“What I mean is that I take on different roles or mindsets given the learning context. I can take on the role of leader, facilitator, designer, or advocate.”
She really gets to know her students well and tries to work with them where they are in their learning to help them achieve the objectives for a specific task.
“As I move fluidly among these mindsets in my teaching, I am able to provide the individualized support that my students need as they challenge themselves to learn more and do better. The high expectations I hold and the support that I provide propel students forward in their learning and in the teaching profession.”