Charleston, W.Va., Jan. 30, 2023 — West Liberty University Associate Professor of Reading Dr. Angela Curfman attended the inaugural meeting of the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) Leaders of Literacy Advisory Council recently in Charleston.
“I am pleased to serve on this council and help with its important work of increasing literacy in West Virginia,” said Curfman, who has been a member of the WLU faculty since 2017.
Curfman has a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction with a minor in literacy, from West Virginia University. Curfman earned a master’s in education, with a minor in elementary reading and literacy at Walden University and a bachelor’s in education, with a minor in elementary education at Ohio University.
The purpose of the council is to engage a network of stakeholders in the WVDE’s Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia literacy initiative. More than 30 individuals representing government, businesses, non-profits, education, families and communities participated.
According to WVDE, Ready, Read, Write is West Virginia’s effort to increase literacy proficiency among students in grades K – 12. It is rooted in research and the belief that all students can learn to read with effective reading instruction. Based on the science of reading, Ready, Read, Write equips students with tools and strategies that allow them to grow as strong readers using the five pillars that include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension as well as writing.
“We appreciate the commitment of our Leaders of Literacy Advisory Council in joining us on this important journey,” said State Superintendent of School David L. Roach. “Our commitment to enhancing student literacy is critical to student success and is among the most urgent work we have as a Department of Education and as a state.”
The council will work within subgroups to support a variety of activities in their local communities and statewide. Their involvement is key to increasing awareness and interest in the Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia efforts. To learn more about this program and council, please visit the WVDE website.
About WLU’s College of Education and Human Performance
Established as West Liberty Academy in 1837, the preparation of teachers was WLU’s original purpose. It was chartered as the West Liberty Normal School in 1870, was renamed West Liberty State Teachers College in 1931, and was accredited in 1937 by the American Association of Teachers Colleges.
As the institution grew, it became West Liberty State College and in 2009, it earned university status. This was the same year WLU’s first master’s degree program began, in education. The College of Education and Human Performance remains a regional leader in providing an affordable education for professional educators.