Colleen Whittingham is a Great First Eight Implementation Support Provider and Curriculum Specialist with the Center for Early Literacy and Learning Success at Stand for Children. Her work focuses on helping educators translate research-based early literacy curriculum into meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences for young children.
Colleen began her career as an elementary classroom teacher and has since worked as a teacher educator, researcher, curriculum designer, professional learning facilitator, and implementation partner. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy, learning and development, assessment, equity, and teacher preparation at Loyola University Chicago, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of Illinois Chicago.
She is the author or coauthor of books and articles for researchers and practitioners, including Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood and Supporting Emergent Writers: Birth–Age 5. Colleen has also designed curriculum and professional learning for educators working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-age children in a range of school and community settings.
Colleen earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialization in Literacy, Language, and Culture, from the University of Illinois Chicago. She also holds an M.Ed. from the University of Illinois Chicago and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Dayton.
Colleen’s work at Stand allows her to live out her commitment to ensuring that young children experience learning environments that recognize them as capable thinkers, communicators, investigators, and contributors by drawing from her prior professional experiences. She is inspired by the dedication, intellect, and passion of her Center for Early Literacy and Learning Success colleagues and loves learning from them every day!
Colleen lives outside of Chicago, thinks every good day should start with Pilates, is irrationally delighted to use public transportation, and is always looking for the next audiobook recommendation. Growing up, Colleen wanted to be a journalist.