Personal Statement

Teaching is a reciprocal process. There is a constant sense of support among learners on a continuum of learning. I like to use a lot of activity-based discussion (readers’ theater for example) as we gain so much from thinking out loud and putting into immediate practice the theories we have read.

Professional Biography

David researches and teaches in literacy and children’s literature in education, particularly reading and writing connections. Born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, David was a classroom teacher for eleven years in schools with highly diverse populations. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia in 2008. Before coming to Lewis & Clark David was an integral faculty member of the Graduate School of Education at Willamette University for two years where he began research on digital literacy. David is also a children’s author and currently is the northwest team leader for the International Reading Association’s Children’s Choice Awards.

Current Projects

David is currently working on an investigation of digital literacy and the achievement gap in reading. The focus of the study is to observe out of school literacy practices and the use of digital literacy tools. David is also exploring theory and practice in mentorship of reading and writing connections between writers and readers of texts.

Areas of Expertise

Literacy, Elementary Education, Children’s Literature, Reading and Writing,  Connections, the Arts in Education, New Literacies

Publications

Ward, D. (in press). Unlikely Heroes and the Lure of Fantasy: An author’s perspective. The Dragon Lode (International Reading Association).

Ward, D. (December, 2009). Infusions of Power: Writing, reading, and children’s voices. Oregon English Journal.

Ward, D. (2008). Sojourners of the StoryWorld: Research on Readers and Writers. Canadian Children. 33 (1) 17-22.

Ward, D. (2006). “Indefinable Stirrings and Longings”: Research on student letters to authors. English Journal. 95 (3) 49-55.

Ward, D. (2006).Writing Back: Authors affirming the next generation of young writers. Teacher-Librarian. 33 (1) 39-41. (Reprinted from Alberta Voices, pp., 2005, 4, (1), and School Libraries in Canada, pp  25, 1).

Academic Credentials

B.Ed.	1990	Trinity Western University
B.Ed.	1992	University of British Columbia
M.Ed.	2000	University of British Columbia
Ph.D.	2008	University of British Columbia