Mary Beth Allen
PO Box 1815
Plymouth, MA 02362
518-424-7752
1. Academic Degrees
Ed.D. Texas A&M University-Commerce 1995 Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction
M.Ed. Towson University 1989 Reading
B.S. University of Maryland, College Park 1979 Elementary Education
2. Professional Experience
1997 - Present East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA
Professor - Reading Department
1979 - 1997 Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson, MD
1995 - 1997 Reading Specialist, Grades 1-5, Cromwell Valley Elementary
1994 - 1996 Program Coordinator, Cromwell Valley Elementary
1992 - 1994 Sabbatical/Academic Leave – Texas A&M University-Commerce
1985 - 1992 Chapter 1 Resource Teacher – Grades Prek-5
1979 - 1985 Classroom Teacher - Grades 2, 3
1994 - Present Bureau of Education and Research, Bellevue, WA
Instructor –
· Guided Comprehension: Research-based Strategies for Strengthening Comprehension with All Texts – Grades 3-6
· Guided Comprehension: Practical Strategies for Strengthening Reading Skills – Grades 3-6
· Practical Strategies for Strengthening Reading Skills – Grades 3-6
· Best Practices for Teaching First and Second Graders
· Using the Common Core State Standards to Maximize Teaching and Learning
· Increasing the Success of Your Title 1 Students Using Integrated,
Literature-based Reading and Writing Strategies
3. Faculty Teaching Responsibilities 2012-2013
Fall Semester, 2012
REED 523 Analysis of Instructional Techniques in Reading (Distance Ed) 3 s.h.
REED 526 Organizing, Implementing, and Evaluating School Reading Programs
(Distance Ed) 3 s.h.
REED 580 Research Problems in Reading (Distance Ed) 3 s.h.
Spring Semester, 2013
REED 520 Teaching Reading to Students with Disabilities (Distance Ed) 3 s.h.
REED 523 Analysis of Instructional Techniques in Reading (Distance Ed) 3 s.h.
REED 580 Research Problems in Reading (Distance Ed) 3 s.h.
4. Other Collegiate Assignments
Chair- Reading Department Evaluation Committee - 2009-present
Advisor: Undergraduate Elementary Education – 1997-present
Interim Graduate Coordinator – 2006-2007
Graduate Advisor – 2006-present
Senator: University Senate, 2005-present
Member: Senate Academic Affairs Committee
Member: Senate Research Committee
Member: University Wide Promotions Committee - 2005-2007
Member: Ad-hoc Course Scheduling Committee – 2006-2007
Member: NCATE Planning Committee, 1998
Co-chair: NCATE Institutional Report Task Force, 1999-2000
Member: Academic Excellence Strategic Planning Committee, 1999-2001
Member: Developmental Education Committee, 2001-2003
5. Current Professional and Academic Association Memberships
International Reading Association
Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers
South Shore Reading Council
6. Publications and Videos
Allen, M.B. (2010). Fresh takes on centers: Comprehension. New York: Scholastic.
Allen, M.B. (2010). Fresh takes on centers: Writing. New York: Scholastic.
Allen, M.B. (2010). Oral history: Fred Fedorko. In Linek, W., Massey, D., Cochran, L. Sturtevant, E., McClanahan, B., &
Sampson, M.B. (Eds.) The College Reading Association legacy: A celebration of fifty years of literacy
leadership, (pp. 299-306). Commerce, TX: Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers.
McLaughlin, M. & Allen, M.B. (2009). Guided comprehension in grades 3-8: Combined second edition. Newark,
DE: International Reading Association.
Allen, M.B. (2007). Guided comprehension: Research-based strategies for strengthening comprehension with all texts
(Grades 3-6), Bellevue, WA: Bureau of Education and Research.
Allen, M.B. (2007). Current best strategies for teaching reading comprehension, grades k-2, Bellevue, WA: Bureau of
Education And Research.
Allen, M.B. (2007). Strengthening students’ reading comprehension, grades 3-6. Bellevue, WA: Bureau of
Education and Research.
Allen, M.B. (2006). Integrated teaching in a PDS: Designing units for understanding. East Stroudsburg University
Professional Development School Monograph.
New Jersey Reading First Comprehension Module (2004). Trenton, NJ: NJDOE
Allen, MB. (2003). Guided comprehension: Practical strategies for strengthening reading skills. Bellevue, WA:
Bureau of Education and Research.
McLaughlin, M. & Allen, M.B. (2002). Guided comprehension in action: Lessons for grades 3-8. Newark, DE:
International Reading Association.
McLaughlin, M. & Allen, M.B. (2002). Guided comprehension: A teaching model for grades 3-8. Newark, DE:
International Reading Association.
Allen, M.B. & Mohr, K. (1999). “Please write me back!”: Effects of a first grade writing project on written
communication skills. Illinois Reading Council Journal, 27(2), 8-13.
7. Papers Presented and Professional Presentations
“Planning for Cognitive Engagement: Making Sure Everyone is Engaged in the Learning,” International Reading
Association Annual Conference, 2012, Chicago, IL.
“Enacting the Comprehension Lesson,” International Reading Association Annual Conference, 2012, Chicago, IL.
“There is Joy – and Integrity – in Online Teaching,” Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers Annual
Conference, 2011, Richmond, VA.
“Finding Favorite Books: Letting the Books Speak to You,” International Reading Association Annual Conference, 2010,
Chicago, IL.
“Teaching Reading and Writing with Nonfiction Favorites,” International Reading Association Annual Conference,
2010, Chicago, IL.
“Fundamentals of Online Teaching,” Association of Teacher Educators Annual Conference, 2010, Chicago, IL.
“Engaging Learners in Comprehending and Thinking,” International Reading Association Annual Conference, 2009,
Minneapolis, MN.
“Integrating Online Technology to Teach and Enhance Literacy Courses,” College Reading Association Annual Meeting,
2008, Sarasota, FL.
“Engaging Learners in Thinking during Reading: Where the Action is for Teaching Comprehension,” Keystone State
Reading Association Annual Conference, 2008, King of Prussia, PA.
“Engaging Learners in Thinking during Reading: Where the Action is for Teaching Comprehension,” International
Reading Association Annual Conference, 2008, Atlanta, GA.
“Integrated Research Projects: Growing and Sustaining Inquiry across the Curriculum,” Professional Development
Schools National Conference, 2008, Orlando, FL.
“Practicing What we Preach: Using Learner-Centered Teaching Processes in College Classrooms,” Hawaii International
Conference on Education, 2008, Honolulu, HI.
“Practicing What we Preach: Using Learner-Centered Teaching Processes in College Classrooms,” College Reading
Association Annual Meeting, 2007, Salt Lake City, UT.
“Thinking Through Text: Planning and Implementing Comprehension Instruction,” International Reading Association
Annual Conference, 2007, Toronto, Ontario.
“Oh, No! Not Non-fiction: Making the Most of an Informational Read Aloud. Pennsylvania School Librarians Annual
Conference, 2007, Hershey, PA.
“Hedging Your Bets: Matching Habits of Mind in Reading and Science,” Professional Development Schools National
Conference, 2007, Las Vegas, NV.
“Winning Strategies for Literacy Instruction: Using all Partners to Teach Reading in Multiple Contexts,” Professional
Development Schools National Conference, 2007, Las Vegas, NV.
“Preservice Teachers’ Readiness to Teach Reading Comprehension,” National Reading Conference Annual Meeting,
2006, Los Angeles, CA.
“Summer Reading Camp: Promoting Self-Efficacy and Achievement in At-Risk Readers,” New York State Reading
Association Annual Conference, 2006, Saratoga Springs, NY.
“Thinking through the Text: Planning and Implementing Effective Comprehension Lessons,” College Reading
Association Annual Meeting, 2006, Pittsburgh, PA.
“Practicing What we Preach: Using Learner-Centered Teaching Strategies in College Classrooms,” Association of
Teacher Educators Summer Conference, 2006, Philadelphia, PA.
“Thinking through the Text: Teaching Comprehension with Informational Texts,” Massachusetts Title I Conference,
2006, Hyannis, MA.
“Using Read Aloud Time to Teach Comprehension Strategies: Strategies and Structures to Support Thinking During
Reading,” Pennsylvania School Librarians Annual Conference, 2006, Hershey, PA.
“Best Practices in Literacy: Maximizing Reading Instruction in a PDS,” National Professional Development School
Conference, 2006, Orlando, FL.
“Thinking Through The Text: Facilitating Comprehension and Comprehension Instruction,” Hawaii International
Conference on Education, 2006, Honolulu, HI.
“Integrated Teaching: Designing Units for Understanding,” College Reading Association, 2005, Savannah, GA.
“Guided Comprehension: Teaching Students to think Through the Text,” Massachusetts Title I Conference, 2005,
Hyannis, MA.
“Integrated Teaching: Designing Units to Ensure Understanding by All Learners,” International Reading Association
Annual Conference, 2005, San Antonio, TX.
“Site-based Liaisons – Spreading our Wings to Make Connections,” National Professional Development School
Conference, 2005, Orlando, FL.
“Practicing What We Preach,” Association of Teacher Educators Annual Conference, 2005, Chicago, IL.
“Integrated Teaching: Designing Units for Understanding,” Association of Teacher Educators Annual Conference,
2005, Chicago, IL.
“Giving Birth to a PDS,” Association of Teacher Educators Annual Conference, 2005, Chicago, IL.
“Imitate, Improvise, Compose: A Cycle of Lesson Planning,” College Reading Association, 2004, Delray Beach, FL.
“Words, Words, Words: Ideas for Effective Vocabulary Instruction,” New Jersey Reading First Annual Conference,
2004, Atlantic City, NJ.
“Guided Comprehension: Helping Students Transact with Text,” Massachusetts Reading Association Annual
Conference, 2004, Sturbridge, MA.
“Perceptions of Teaching: The Impact of Reflection in Professional Development Schools,” National Professional
Development School Conference, 2004, Orlando, FL.
“Integrated Teaching in a PDS: Designing Units for Understanding,” National Professional Development School Conference, 2004, Orlando, FL.
8. Other Related Work - Service
2011-present – Treasurer, South Shore Reading Council
2010 - present – Member – Advisory Board – Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2010- present – Member – Golf Tournament Committee - Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing
2010 – present - Conference Coordinator – Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers
2009 – Incoming Conference Coordinator – Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers
2009 – Proposal Reviewer – International Reading Association Annual Conference – 2010
2007 – Proposal Reviewer – International Reading Association Annual Conference – 2008
2006-2007 – Reviewer – School University Partnerships, Journal of the National Professional Development
Schools Organization
2005-2007 – Substitute Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Saratoga Springs United
Methodist Church, Saratoga Springs, NY
Summer, 2007 - Volunteer – Summer Reading Adventure, Ark Charter School, Troy, NY
Summer, 2006 - Volunteer – Summer Reading Adventure, Ark Charter School, Troy, NY
Summer, 2005 - Volunteer – Summer Youth Adventure, City Mission of Schenectady, Schenectady, NY
2005 – 2008 - Guest Reader – Spring Into Reading, East Stroudsburg Area School District
May, 2007 – Upper Shore Reading Council – Guest Speaker
April, 2006 – Upper Shore Reading Council – Guest Speaker
April, 2006 – Baltimore County Reading Council – Guest Speaker