Kasey Seiler, adjunct professor at NCC

BETHLEHEM, PA – Adjunct professor at Northampton Community College (NCC), Dr. Kasey Seiler, was chosen as a speaker for this year’s World Literacy Summit at Oxford University in Oxford, UK from April 2-4. Six hundred attendees are expected at the Summit with over 40,000 people watching online. Eighty-five countries will be represented at this event to advocate and educate attendees on the importance of improving literacy levels globally. “Having a literacy coach is an invaluable resource for both educators and students,” Seiler notes.

Seiler has experience as a literacy coach from her time at Pleasant Valley School District. She supported teachers in providing effective literacy instruction, which encompasses grammar, listening, oral language skills, reading, speaking, spelling, viewing, and writing.

“I used tools like professional development, modeling lessons, co-teaching, setting goals and creating a plan as well as supporting any new literacy initiative set forth by the administration,” says Seiler.

Due to budget cuts, Pleasant Valley had to let go of the literacy coaching role in 2020. With the birth of her child and this news, Seiler decided to stay at home with her son and continue working part-time as an adjunct teaching literacy, reading and writing courses at NCC. Her now almost 3-year-old son can read books at a 1st to 2nd grade reading level, a testament to her teaching him these skills at a young age.

Seiler’s presentation at the summit will cover her research from her published dissertation and experiences as a coach and teacher. She aims to educate attendees on the importance of utilizing stakeholders in schools effectively while implementing a literacy initiative or any educational initiative. Through her research, Seiler found that identifying the best roll out process will pay off in the program’s overall effectiveness.

“I want to share this information at the Summit in hopes that it will help the many educational leaders and educators at this event. I want to make sure leaders are aware of effective ways to enact any change in their organization successfully,” Seiler says.

According to the World Literacy Summit website. “The Summit is an initiative of the World Literacy Foundation, a global non-profit organization that works to ensure every young individual, regardless of geographic location, can acquire literacy and reading skills to reach their full potential, succeed at school and beyond. It is the world’s largest gathering of international literacy specialists, researchers, educators, publishers, government representatives and more.”
About Northampton Community College

With an enduring commitment to the regional community it serves and a focus on student success, Northampton Community College has developed a reputation as an institution of extraordinary distinction, earning accolades at the state and national levels for innovative programs, outstanding faculty and impressive student achievements. It counts among its successful alumni a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and an Academy Award winning director as well as a host of CEOs, presidents, and leaders of business and industry. Today, Northampton Community College has locations in Bethlehem, Southside Bethlehem, and Monroe County, serving 30,000 students each year from 53 counties, 42 countries and 25 states. For more information, or to apply, please visit www.northampton.edu. Follow NCC’s President on Twitter @NCCPresDaveRuth, and follow the College on TikTok @NorthamptonCC and on Instagram @NorthamptonCommCollege. Like us on Facebook at Northampton Community College.