Rita Bean Email & Phone Number

Rita M. Bean is a University of Pittsburgh School of Education Professor Emerita. She received her BS from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s degree and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the University, she taught at the elementary level and served as reading supervisor (K-12). At the University, she served as Associate Dean of Research and Development and Director, Institute for Practice and Research in Education. Dr. Bean has written and received grants from the state, federal government, and foundations, focusing on the improvement of literacy instruction and student literacy learning. She also served as Co-Director of a large-scale evaluation study of literacy in PA. She is a nationally known expert on the role and impact of reading specialists and literacy coaches in schools. Recently, she completed a summary of research about literacy coaching in developing countries for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She has also made presentations nationally and internationally on literacy instruction. Her research has resulted in publications in many different books and journals. Recent books include: The Reading Specialist: Leadership and Coaching for Classroom, School, and Community (2015) and a co-edited volume, Best Practices of Literacy Leaders: Keys to School Improvement (2011). Her latest co-authored book, Cultivating Coaching Mindsets: An Action Guide for Literacy Leaders, (with Jacy Ippilito) will be released in July 2016. A co-authored study, Specialized Literacy Professionals as Literacy Leaders: Results of a National Survey published in Literacy Research and Instruction (2015), resulted in a recently released position statement and research brief on the role of specialized literacy professionals in schools (International Literacy Association).

Listed skills include Curriculum Development, Non Profits, Teaching, Public Speaking, and 41 others.

• Professor Emerita

  University Of Pittsburgh

  1990 - 2010