Debra Porter, Ed.D.

Associate Professor, Special Reading Licensure Coordinator, Read to Succeed Reading Academy Director — Elementary, Early & Special Education

Social
Phone
(573) 986-6171
Location
Scully 313H
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 5575
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

I entered the education field in 1986. My passion for literacy began way before. I can remember my mother driving me to the library, where I sat in the corner by the fireplace reading my favorite books. As an adult, I realized my love of literacy could inspire others, and therefore I began my career as a classroom and reading teacher in the Fort Zumwalt School District. I worked with children who struggled to learn to read and constantly researched ways to support those who struggled the most.

This also inspired me to seek a doctorate degree to share my knowledge with others, especially those seeking their own degrees in education. I was an adjunct at several St. Louis universities before accepting my position at Southeast Missouri State University. I love teaching adults and sharing my love for literacy and knowledge of working with children who struggle with this life skill. It is not a privilege but a right to be literate.

Additional Information

Education

Ed.D. Saint Louis University
M.A. Lindenwood University
B.S. Lindenwood University

Certifications

  • Reading Specialist, K-12, Missouri Career Certificate
  • Elementary Education, 1-8 Missouri Lifetime Certificate

Courses Taught

  • Reading in the Secondary Content Areas (graduate)
  • Meeting the Needs of the Struggling Reader (undergraduate)
  • Early and Emergent Literacy Instruction (undergraduate)
  • Intermediate and Middle School Literacy Instruction (undergraduate)
  • Classroom Management and Theories of Learning (undergraduate)
  • Content Area Reading (undergraduate)
  • Effective Literacy Instruction at the Middle and Secondary Level (undergraduate)
  • Elementary Reading Methods (graduate)
  • Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area (graduate)
  • Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum (graduate)
  • Elementary Reading Methods (undergraduate)
  • Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area (undergraduate)
  • Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum (undergraduate)
  • Diagnostics and Correction of Reading Disabilities (graduate)
  • Differentiated Instruction at the Secondary Content Area (graduate)
  • Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Disabilities (undergraduate)

Presentations

  • Porter, D. (2019, March) What Teacher Candidates Need to Know About Dyslexia and the Mandates School Districts Must Follow. (KDP Local Organization), Cape Girardeau, MO
  • Porter, D. & Bohannon, L. (2015, July) Teach a Child to Read and Build a Community, Presented at the International Literacy Association Conference (I.L.A.) Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO
  • Zou, M. & Porter, D. (2015, March) The Road to Quality: QM an Online Course, Presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV
  • Hepler, B. & Porter, D. (2014, August) Co-Teaching, Presented at Southeast Missouri State University Co-Operating Teacher Training, Cape Girardeau, MO
  • Porter, D. (2014, April) Poster Session: First Do No Harm, Presented at Association for Childhood Education International (A.C.E.I.) International Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Porter, D. & Gordinier, C. (2013, August) Differentiating in the Primary Grades, Presented at Jackson Missouri Public School District Back to School Professional Development Day, Jackson, MO
  • Porter, D. (2011, March) Background Knowledge and Reading Comprehension, Presented at OASIS Training, Fort Zumwalt School District, O’Fallon, MO
  • Porter, D. (2006, November) Every Child Reads: Differentiating Your Reading Instruction to Meet the Needs of all Students, Presented at Fort Zumwalt School District’s Fall Professional Development Day, O’ Fallon, MO
  • Porter, D. (2006, February) Understanding Differentiated Instruction, Presented at Fort Zumwalt School District’s Winter Professional Development Day, O’ Fallon, MO
  • Porter, D. (2003, November) Families Learning and Reading Enrichment, Presented at Missouri State Council of the International Reading Association State Conference, Ozark, MO

Audience Links

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