Sarah F. Mahurt Purdue University, USA

Sarah F. Mahurt is the director of the Purdue Literacy Collaborative and associate professor of literacy and language at Purdue. Through her leadership, the Purdue Literacy Collaborative has trained more than 80 literacy coordinators to be literacy leaders and coaches in their schools. This project has reached more than 800 teachers who are improving their teaching of literacy and student achievement in literacy. She recently received the Department of Curriculum and Instruction’s Engagement Award for this school reform effort.

Mahurt's publications include articles on the integration of reading and writing, teacher development, and Caribbean children’s literature. She has also made numerous presentations on literacy teaching and learning in elementary schools and school reform in literacy education. She has consulted with schools and districts focusing on school improving student achievement in reading and writing. She recently chaired a committee to develop a statewide network of educators in Indiana who are focused on improving writing instruction.

In more than 25 years as an educator, Mahurt has worked as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and university professor. She was awarded the Celebrate Literacy Award from the St. Croix Chapter of the International Reading Association and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Outstanding Educator Award for her literacy work in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. She was also received the Teaching Excellence Award at the University of the Virgin Islands.