Lesley Mandel Morrow

Lesley Mandel Morrow, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where she serves as Director of the Center for Literacy Development. A former classroom teacher and reading specialist, she earned her PhD in education with a focus on curriculum design and supervision from Fordham University, following earlier degrees in human development, early childhood, and elementary education. Her research centers on early literacy development, literacy environments, and the organization and management of language arts programs for children and families from diverse backgrounds, and she has authored or coauthored several hundred publications, including journal articles, book chapters, monographs, and books.

Morrow is coauthor of Lenses on Reading: An Introduction to Theories and Models (including the third edition), a widely used text that introduces major theories and models of reading. She has also coauthored and edited influential works such as Best Practices in Literacy Instruction and Literacy Development in the Early Years: Helping Children Read and Write. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including Rutgers awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching, and Service; the Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award, Special Service Award, and **William S