New Post: UB Professor wins literacy award

UB Professor wins Literacy Award

BY CHRIS HOGAN

MANAGING NEWS EDITOR

            On Nov. 5, 2010, University of Bridgeport School of Education Assistant Professor, Margaret Queenan received the Distinguished Literacy Award from the Connecticut Reading Association and the International Reading Association. The award recognizes individuals who made a significant contribution to literacy at the state level.

            Queenan, who has taught at UB for the past five years and teaches courses on language arts and professional development for the graduate program, has worked in many different aspects in the education system in the state Connecticut. Since 2009, she has guided the Fairfield County Reading Association as the Co-President and in also served as the President for the Connecticut Association for Reading Research.

            The award means a lot to her and wouldn’t be possible without the people she encounters in her life.

            “It means that my peers have recognized me for the hard work that I have done throughout my service to Connecticut and that of all the wonderful people in Connecticut have selected me to receive it this year,” Queenan said. “. I just cherish it and it’s lovely to be honored by your peers.”

            Presenting the award to her was International Reading Association President Patricia A. Edwards and Reading Council President Sandra Mangan. Her award came with her UB colleagues praising her work by spreading the word of her award. There was a small summary of her honorary award in the recent fall issue of the UB Knightlines Alumni magazine and Queenan was quite surprised when Rebecca Salonen, the wife of President Neil Salonen put the summary in the magazine but called it an honor.

            School of Education Dean Allen Cook feels that Queenan has helped influence many people she deals with and brings a lot to the table, according to a recent article in the Knightlines Magazine.

            “She is appreciated not only for her work in the classroom but for helping thousands of children attain mastery in reading,” Cook said. “On a personal level, she’s extremely well liked by everyone who meets her and works with her.”

            She has also helped develop and enhance the academic performance test given to high school students in the state of Connecticut and the mastery test given to younger children in the elementary school level and also served as the State Literacy Leader in the Stamford, CT school systems. Aside from earning the literacy award last month, Queenan acknowledges that earning National Board Certification was another big admiration for her in her lifetime.

            In order to receive a high honorable award like the literacy award, Queenan feels the individual should exemplify strength of what they know and never give up.

            “You need to know literacy and you need to be willing to share what you know with other,” Queenan said. “I think you {need to} keep working and working and be a workaholic.”