Biography

Earlisha J. Whitfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Reading at the University of Central Florida. With a career spanning over 17 years in P-8 education, Dr. Whitfield has served as a classroom teacher, reading coach, curriculum resource teacher, literacy specialist, and assistant principal. Her transition to higher education is fueled by a commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and practical school application.

Deeply involved in the life of schools, Dr. Whitfield serves as a Professor in Practice with Community Schools in Orange County. She established the LIT Lab, an initiative dedicated to providing targeted literacy interventions for students facing learning challenges. Her previous academic appointments include serving as an Assistant Professor of Reading at McNeese State University and as an adjunct instructor at Louisiana State University. Throughout her career in teacher preparation, she has mentored undergraduate and graduate students, served as a clinical coordinator for teacher residency programs, and directed the Call Me MiSTER program, which focuses on diversifying the educator workforce.

During nearly two decades in underserved public schools and programs, Dr. Whitfield has consistently secured resources through strategic partnerships. She collaborated with ExxonMobil to provide technological learning tools for students and secured a Louisiana state grant to establish "ShE Leaders." This mentorship program for minority middle school girls successfully improved behavioral outcomes and literacy scores over a two-year period. She remains a passionate advocate for collaborative school-building, working alongside families and community stakeholders to enhance educational quality to ultimately improve social mobility for all students.

Areas of Expertise
  • 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
Education
  • 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

Awards

Dr. Whitfield's dedication to literacy and education has earned her numerous accolades, including:

  • Mayoral commendation from the City of Baton Rouge
  • National Board Certification in ELA
  • Louisiana Teacher of the Year State Finalist
  • UCF Community Engagement and Transformational Opportunities Award
  • SITE Emerging Leader Award by the National Technology Leadership Summit
  • Phi Delta Kappan Emerging Leader

Research

Research Interests

  • Engaging families and communities to promote literacy achievement in underserved public schools
  • Digital literacy interventions and programs 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 K-12 schools