Education alumna recognized for early career literacy advocacy efforts
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Mollie Tully-Detamore, Oklahoma State University alumna, has received the Oklahoma Higher Education Reading Council Beginning Teacher Award. This award is given to a teacher in his or her first three years of teaching who is dedicated to literacy development and literacy integration in the classroom. Tully-Detamore was recognized for her efforts at the Oklahoma Literacy Association Annual Conference on the OSU-Tulsa campus on April 6.
“Mollie views each of her students through a growth mindset and develops strategies for students to see their own growth,” said Sheri Vasinda, associate professor of literacy education. Visitors to Mollie’s classroom would observe successful, happy learners engaged in effective practices that keep them reading and writing. They would also see her students working toward literacy and math goals they set for themselves. This pervasive growth mindset does not end with the students. Their teacher continues to be a learner growing her teaching practices and inviting others to join her. She is the kind of teacher we want as future educational leaders in Oklahoma and represents a can-do spirit reminiscent of this award.”
Tully-Detamore currently teaches first grade at Shedeck Elementary in Yukon, Oklahoma. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the OSU College of Education, Health and Aviation in 2016 and holds certifications in early childhood and elementary education. This marks her third year of teaching.
“Literacy is the cornerstone of educational success; it is the foundation upon which all learning is built,” said Tully-Detamore. “My ultimate goal is to develop independent life-long readers and writers who comprehend and communicate effectively. Students need to be challenged to reach their highest level of competency. I believe it is my responsibility to provide a literacy-rich environment in my classroom. By listening, learning, loving and inspiring, I uncover the hidden treasures of literacy every single moment with every single student.”
The Oklahoma Higher Education Reading Council is made up of literacy education faculty members from Oklahoma colleges and universities and others involved in the education of preservice literacy teachers. The purposes of the council include promoting mutual understanding and cooperative work among Oklahoma reading teacher educators and disseminating knowledge helpful in the solution of problems related to reading instruction.