Dr. Kelly N. Tracy
School of Teaching & Learning
College of Education and Allied Professions
Western Carolina University
212D Killian Bldg
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Office: (828)227-3302
EDUCATION
2003 - 2009 Clemson university Clemson, SC
Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Reading emphasis
· Dissertation: A Formative Experiment Investigating the Use of Nonfiction Texts in Writing Workshop to Assist Fourth-Grade Readers and Writers
2000 - 2002 furman university Greenville, SC
M.A., Elementary Education
1995 - 1999 appalachian state university Boone, NC
B.S., Elementary Education, English concentration
· Undergraduate commencement speaker
· Summa Cum Laude
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2011 - Present WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC
Assistant Professor of Literacy Education
Courses taught: K-5 & 6-9 Language Arts Methods, Seminar in Leadership, Children’s Literature, Intensive Study of Writing (graduate), Seminar for Creating Responsive Learning Communities in Elementary Grades, Foundations of Reading/Language Development and Instruction, Advanced Language Arts 6-9, English Methods, 6-12, Literacy in the Early Years (graduate)
Supervision of Intern I and Intern II students
2007 - 2011 erskine college Due West, SC
Assistant Professor of Education, Elementary
Courses taught: Children’s Literature, Erskine Seminar, Teaching Science and Math PK-6, Principles of Learning and Diversity, Teaching Language Arts PK-6, Human Growth and Development, Elementary Methods and Materials, Field Experience 2, Student Teaching Seminar
Supervision of student teachers and field experience
2002 - 2007 ellen woodside elementary Pelzer, SC
Teacher, 4th Grade Language Arts
2003 clemson university Clemson, SC
Instructor, Elementary Math Methods
1999 - 2002 east north street academy of math and science Greenville, SC
Teacher, 3rd Grade
OTHER PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
· Co-professor, Common Core and the G/T Student, Converse College Graduate Course, Summer 2012 & 2013
· Co-professor, Developing Literacy and the Traits of Writing in the Writing Workshop Classroom, Clemson University Graduate Course offered through the Upstate Writing Project, Fall 2010 – Spring 2011.
· Writing and Illustrating Stories Teacher, Kaleidoscope Camp, Furman University, Summer 2003
· Computer Teacher, Kaleidoscope Camp, Furman University, Summer 2002 & 2003
PRIMARY RESEARCH INTERESTS
· Writing pedagogy elementary/middle grades
· Informational reading and writing
· Writing professional development
SCHOLARSHIP
PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES:
Hunt-Barron, S., Tracy, K.N., Howell, E., & Kaminski, R (in press). Obstacles to enhancing professional
development with digital tools in rural landscapes. Journal of Research in Rural Education.
Luke, N., Tracy, K., & Bricker, P (2015). Writing captions as a means of blending text features and digital
stories. California Reader, 48(2), 29-35.
Tracy, K., Scales, R., & Luke, N. (2014). Writing and learning online: Graduate students’ perceptions
of their development as writers and teachers of writing. Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education, 3(1), 71-80.
McMahan, R., & Tracy, K. (2014). What will sixth grade be like? A pen pal project to ease the transition to
sixth grade. Reading Matters, 14, 38-40.
Hunt-Barron, S., Kaminski, R., & Tracy, K. (2013). Professional development in writing: Common factors
among high-adopting teachers. In P.J. Dunston, S. K. Fullerton, C.C. Bates, P.M. Stecker, M.W. Cole, A. H. Hall, D. Herro, K.N. Headley (Eds.) 62nd Yearbook of the Literacy Research Association (pp. 296-310). Altamonte Springs, FL: Literacy Research Association.
Tracy, K., & Headley, K. (2013) I never liked to read or write: A formative experiment on the use of a
nonfiction-focused writing workshop in a fourth grade classroom. Literacy Research &
Instruction, 52(3), 173-191.
Tracy, K, & Tracy, T. (2013). The Common Core as common practice: Reading Matters, 13, 20-23. (Invited)
Luke, N., & Tracy, K. (2012). Responding to Increased Enrollment in an Undergraduate Seminar: A Hybrid
Approach. Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina, 12(1), 31-38.
Tracy, K., & Wilbanks, L. (2009). Getting organized: A simple strategy for helping students structure their
writing. South Carolina English Teacher, 26-30.
Tracy, K. & Headley, K. (2009). The gift of mentoring: A commentary from two perspectives. Reading Matters, 10,
39-41.
Tracy, K. (2007). Taken for granted: A teacher inquiry into what a writing camp can teach us about our highly
motivated writers. South Carolina English Teacher, 5-10.
Tracy, K. (2005). Shared reading and reader response: Creating dramatic results. Reading Matters, 6, 40-42.
ON-GOING RESEARCH:
Using Text Sets to Develop Critical Thinking in Adolescents – on-going research in a 5th grade classroom that integrates reading and writing to develop critical thinking skills. (IRB#2014-0127) This project is a continuation of research conducted last year with the same teacher but in 6th grade. (with R. Scales)
Teacher-Researcher Relationship: A Symbiotic Form of Professional Development? This study is an offshoot of our text set research. It examines how the relationship between university faculty and classroom teachers serves as professional development for both the teacher and the researcher. Work funded by an internal grant.
An Analysis of the ELMG Dispostions Process (IRB# 2014-0210). – This study examines the iterative process in our ELMG program of evaluating dispositions. Currently drafting manuscript. (with C. Rogers)
External Evaluation Plan for Padeia Course Development Program – evaluating the effectiveness of a Padeia course for middle grades students and the impact on student writing. (IRB#2013-0165)
STUDENT-FACULTY RESEARCH:
“What’s It Like? A Pen-Pal Partnership” action research on a letter writing between 5th grade and 6th grade students conducted in Spring 2013.
“English Language Learners: Examining Multiple Perspectives” Research study conducted with H. Bridges, Fall 2012 – Spring 2013.
“Busting up Bullying: Assessing the Impact of Problem-Solving Skills on the Prevention and Reduction of Bullying in the Classroom,” Action research with K. Setzer, Spring 2011
“Dramatic Results: An Analysis of the Impact of Integration of Drama into the Elementary Classroom on Reading Comprehension and Processing Skills,” Action research study with E. Drummond, Spring 2010
PRESENTATIONS
NATIONAL:
Strahan, D., Tracy, K., & Montgomery, S. (To be presented April 2015). “The more I do, the more I figure
out what’s going on:” Middle Level Teachers’ Experiences with Professional Development on Literacy in the Content Areas. Paper presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association.
Bricker, P., Faetz, M., Tracy, K., & Luke, N. (To be presented March 2015). “Can I write about the garden?”
Science as a Context for Writing with Purpose and Passion in Primary Classrooms. Presented at the annual conference of the National Science Teachers Association.
Rogers, C., & Tracy, K. (To be presented February 2015). Evaluating Preservice Candidates’ Dispositions:
Moving from a Compliant to an Authentic Process. Paper to be presented annual conference of the Association of Teacher Educators, Phoenix, AZ.
Tracy, K., Menickelli, K., & Scales, R. (January 2015). Finding a Deeper Meaning: Developing Critical
Thinking in Adolescents through the Use of Text Sets. Presented at the annual conference of the South Carolina Council of Teachers of English, Kiawah Island, SC.
Tracy, T. & Tracy, K. (January 2015). Reimagining Pictures Books in the Middle School Classroom.
Presented at the annual conference of the South Carolina Council of Teachers of English, Kiawah Island, SC.
Tracy, K., & Watson, M. (December 2014) The Effect of Teacher Beliefs on Kindergartners’ Perceptions of
Writing and Themselves as Writers. Paper to be presented at annual conference of the Literacy Research Association, Marco Island, FL.
Appel, C., English, C., Hawkins, D., Howell, E., Hunt-Barron, S., Kaminski, R., Sanders, R., & Tracy, K.
(November 2014) Writing in the Rural Landscape. Presented at the annual conference of the National Teachers of English, Washington, DC.
Bricker, P., Luke, N., Tracy, K., & Hicks, A. (April 2014). Farm-to-School Digital Stories:
Integrating Science, Literacy, and Technology into Primary Classrooms. Presented at the National Science Teachers Association National Conference. Boston, MA. (Juried)
Luke, N., Binkley, R., & Tracy, K. (Feb. 2014). Strategies for Building Classroom
Community: Making Connections With and Between Students and Faculty. Poster session
presented at the Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy. Blacksburg, VA. (Juried)
Hunt-Barron, S., Tracy, K., Kaminski, R., Howell, E. (Dec. 2013). Conquering the divide:
Infusing new literacies into professional development for the Common Core State Standards. In R. Kaminski (Chair), Reaching Rural Schools: Providing Professional Development Programs in Writing. Paper Symposium to be conducted at the Annual Conference of the Literacy Research Association, Dallas, TX. (Juried)
Luke, N., Rogers, C., & Tracy, K. (Feb. 2013). Online tools to support written reflection in the professional
preparation of undergraduates. Poster session presented at the Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy. Blacksburg, VA. (Juried)
Kaminski, R., Hunt-Barron, S., & Tracy, K. (Dec. 2012). Common factors among high adopting teachers following
professional development in writing instruction. Paper presented at Annual Conference of the
Literacy Research Association. San Diego, CA. (Juried)
Tracy, K. (2010). Improving reading and writing through nonfiction writing. Poster session presented at Educational
Design Research Conference: Local Change and Global Impact. University of Georgia, Athens, GA. (Juried)
STATE:
Howard, J., Oliver, F., Tracy, T, Tracy, K., Wiegert, E. (Oct. 2012). Key note panel: Authentic reading, writing, and
research: Because reading is the Common Core. Presented at the Spartanburg Writing Project Fall Renewal, Spartanburg, SC (Invited)
Luke, N., & Tracy, K. (Feb. 2012). Responding to increased enrollment in an undergraduate seminar. Presented at
the Georgia Conference on University and College Teaching, Kennesaw, GA. (Juried)
Tracy, T., & Tracy, K. (Jan. 2012). How the Common Core State Standards develop writers, K-12. Presented at
the South Carolina Council of Teachers of English Conference, Kiawah Island, SC. (Juried)
Tracy, K., Brown, A., Cole, T., Ferguson, M., Knapp, K., Smith, M., & Whitlock, H. (Oct 2008). Inquiring minds.
Presented at Annual Conference of the South Carolina Science Council, Myrtle Beach, SC. (Juried)
Tracy, K. & Malloy, J. (2008). From ideas to print: Why reading matters. Presented at South Carolina Council of the
International Reading Association Annual Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC. (Juried)
Tracy, K. & Malloy, J. (2007). Because reading matters. Presented at South Carolina Council of the International
Reading Association Annual Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC. (Juried)
Gambrell, L., Calvert, W., Hughes, E. & Tracy, K. (2007). Facilitating student discussions. Presented at South
Carolina Council of the International Reading Association Annual Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC. (Juried)
Tracy, K. & Wilbanks, S. (2006). Meters, magnets, and the Mayflower. Writing Improvement Network conference,
Greenville, SC. (Juried)
Tracy, K. (2006). A glimpse inside the writing workshop. Upstate Writing Project Conference, Greenville, SC.
(Invited)
Tracy, K., Slusher, B., Neely, M. Kohl, M., & Hoffman, S. (2006). Meeting young writers. Presented at Upstate
Writing Project Fall Renewal, Greenville, SC. (Invited)
Tracy K. (2005). Crafting powerful prose. Upstate Writing Project Annual Conference, Greenville, SC. (Invited)
LOCAL:
Tracy, K. (2010). Building better brains. Presented at First Steps Childcare Conference. Erskine College, Due
West, SC. (Invited)
Tracy, K. (2007). Best practices in reading. Presented at Greenville County Council of the International Reading
Association meeting, Greenville, SC. (Invited)
Tracy, K. (2006). A glimpse inside the writing workshop. Upstate Writing Project conference, Greenville, SC.
(Invited)
Tracy, K., Slusher, B., Neely, M. Kohl, M., & Hoffman, S. (2006). Meeting young writers. Presented at Upstate
Writing Project Fall Renewal, Greenville, SC. (Invited)
Tracy, K. (2004). Crafting powerful prose. Presented at Greenville County CONNECT conference, Greenville, SC.
(Juried)
INVITED GUEST LECTURES:
Tracy, K. (2011). Life at a small college. Guest lecture presented to Clemson University PhD students. Clemson,
SC.
Tracy, K. (2010). Experiencing formative experiments. Guest lecture presented to Clemson University graduate
students, Clemson, SC.
Tracy, K. (2010). Action research and the reading-writing connection. Guest lecture presented to Clemson
University graduate students, Clemson, SC.
Tracy, K. (2005). Teaching writing. Presented to Clemson University undergraduates, Clemson, SC.
GRANTS AND AWARDS
· STL Internal Grant Recipient (co-applicants: R. Scales & P. Bricker), Teacher-Researcher Relationship: A Symbiotic Form of Professional Development?, $5500
· Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Western Carolina University, 2014
· Legislative Award for Teaching Excellence, CEAP, Western Carolina University, 2013
· Bright Idea Award, CEAP, Western Carolina University, 2011
· Author of the Year, Upstate Writing Project, 2009
· Finalist, Younts Excellence in Teaching Award, Erskine College, 2008
· Teacher Consultant of the Year, Upstate Writing Project, 2007
· Teacher of the Year, Ellen Woodside Elementary, 2007
· Alliance for Quality Education school-wide grant recipient, “Butterflies, Birds, and Building Bi-Lingual Bridges” August 2006, $1498.79
· GCIRA Distinguished Teacher of Reading, 2nd place, Greenville County 2005 - 2006
· GCIRA Distinguished Teacher of Reading, Ellen Woodside Elementary 2004 - 2005, 2005 - 2006
· Greenville County Webmaster’s Choice Gold Award Winner 2004, 2005
· SCIRA Literature grant recipient February 2004, $300
· Alliance for Quality Education grant recipient “Crafting Powerful Prose” August 2003, $270.49
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF SERVICE
· Inclusive Education Search Committee, Western Carolina University, Spring 2015
· Professional Development Grants Committee, Western Carolina University, 2014 – present
· CEAP Outstanding Prospective Teacher Committee, Western Carolina University, 2014- present
· STL Travel Committee, Western Carolina University, 2014-2015
· STL Director Evaluation Committee (Elected), Western Carolina University, 2013-2014
· University Academic Experience, Western Carolina University, Summer 2013, 2014
· Strategic Planning Committee, College of Education & Allied Professions, Western Carolina University, Spring 2013
· Scholarship Committee, College of Education & Allied Professions, Western Carolina University, 2012 – present
· Scholarship Committee, Elementary and Middle Grades Program, Western Carolina University, 2012 – 2013
· NCATE, Standard 4, Diversity Committee, Western Carolina University, 2012 - present
· Graduate Program Review Committee, School of Teaching and Learning, ELMG, Western Carolina University, Fall 2012
· Curriculum Reviewer, ETV On-Line Common Core State Standards Graduate Courses, 2012
· School of Teaching and Learning Electronic Evidences Committee, Western Carolina University, Spring 2012