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Zoi A. Traga-Philippakos receives the LRA Early Career Achievement Award

Zoi Traga-Philippakos headshotZoi A. Traga-Philippakos, assistant professor in literacy education, was presented the Early Career Achievement Award by the Literacy Research Association (LRA) in December 2019.

Philippakos completed her PhD at the University of Delaware, where her dissertation examined the effects of peer review using genre-specific criteria on fourth and fifth-graders’ persuasive writing. Her research interests include reading and writing instruction, interdisciplinary literacy, strategy instruction with self-regulation, and approaches to professional development for classroom teachers. Currently, she is working on the development and evaluation of a professional development model on writing instruction, on a middle-school reading and writing curriculum, and on a curriculum for community college developmental learners.

Philippakos has published several articles and chapters on strategy instruction in writing and has presented her research at national and international conferences. Recently, she published her new book Developing strategic young writers through genre instruction: Resources for grades K-2 with Charles A. MacArthur. She is also the co-author of the books Developing strategic writers through genre instruction: Resources for grades 3-5 (2015), Differentiated Literacy Instruction in Grades 4 and 5 (2019), Effective Read-alouds for early literacy: A teacher’s guide for PreK-1 (2012), and Differentiated Reading Instruction in Grades 4 and 5: Strategies and Resources (2011).

In addition to her research, and prolific publication record, Philippakos serves as the chair of the writing task force at the International Literacy Association (ILA) and was recently selected as a reviewer for the ILA National Recognition for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals. In addition, she is an elected member of the board of directors for the American Reading Forum, a member of the board of directors of Socrates Academy, chair of the Socrates Academy curriculum committee, a member of the Knox county dyslexia council, and a member of the Tennessee branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Further, she is a reviewer for several professional journals and organizations.

Prior to this award, she received the Inaugural Alumni Award (2017) from the College of Education and Human Services at the University of Delaware as well as the Richard Venezky Award for Creative Research in Literacy (2011), and Outstanding Graduate Student award (2006).

Watch the LRA award presentation to Zoi A. Traga-Philippakos.

Congratulations to Zoi on this outstanding award!