Profile

Earlisha J. Whitfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Reading at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Whitfield believes it's critical to be deeply involved in the life of a school, so she is also a Professor in Residence at Eccleston Elementary, a Community School in Orange County. Prior to her current role, she worked in higher education as an adjunct instructor at Louisiana State University and as an Assistant Professor of Reading at McNeese State University. She has worked with undergraduate and graduate students in literacy education and teacher preparation. She has also worked as a clinical coordinator for student and new teachers in residency. Dr. Whitfield was also the Director of Call Me MiSTER, a program that promotes the diversification of the field of education.

Before beginning her work in higher education, she was an educator of public schools in underserved schools and programs as a teacher, literacy integration specialist, assistant principal, and director of instruction of ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Math for 17 years. Dr. Whitfield passionately advocates improving education through collaboration with teachers, families, and community members to build strong schools that will enhance the quality of life for all students. She has written grants and partnered with ExxonMobil to secure technological learning resources for underserved students. Dr. Whitfield has received state and national recognition for her dedication to improving literacy, including the Louisiana Teacher of the Year State Finalist award, National Board Certification in ELA, Louisiana’s Leading Lady Award, Phi Delta Kappan Emerging Leader, and SITE Emerging Leader Award by the National Technology Leadership Summit.

• Engaging families and communities to promote literacy achievement in underserved public schools
• Access and equity of quality literacy programs and education
• Recruitment, preparation and retention of diverse educators in K-12 public schools

• Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction– Louisiana State University, 2019
• M.A., Curriculum and Instruction – Louisiana State University, 2007
• B.S., Elementary Education – Louisiana State University, 2003

• Engaging families and communities to promote literacy achievement in underserved public schools
• Literacy interventions for tier 3 students and students with learning disabilities
• Preparation and job-embedded training of literacy leaders ( Coaches, interventionists, team leads, and specialists)
• Recruitment, preparation, and retention of educators in underserved public schools
• Access to quality literacy programs in underserved public schools