Wilson, LeeAnne (Sandip), EdD

Biography

With an M.Ed. from Cambridge College and an Ed.D. from the University of Maine, Sandip has an abiding interest in studying and teaching children's nonfiction literature, how it can support literacy programs, nurture critical thinking and writing, and connect families and schools. While she started out as a history and social studies teacher, she realized that, without literacy, students could not function in the world, so she brings the interest in historical thinking to her work. With scientists in her family, her interest in nonfiction in science remains a line of inquiry. Dr. Wilson served on the Orbis Pictus Award Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English from 2002 to 2008, as member, then chair. Since 1989 the Orbis Pictus Committee has honored outstanding nonfiction literature written for children. She served as Treasurer of the New England Reading Association from 2006 to 2012 and serves on the Editorial Board of the NERA Journal as well as the NERA Board. She writes for and edits the book review columns for the journal. She has served as co-editor of The Dragon Lode, a peer reviewed journal of children’s literature and reading, since 2008 and served as a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar 2012-2013 teaching in the Faculty of Education and Engineering at Avinashilingam University in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. An interest in tapestry design and weaving has motivated the exploration of how tapestry weaving shares parallel features with writing.

The courses I teach are interactive and integrate both theory and practice. I strive to give my students knowledge and experience in teaching so that they can bring multiple approaches and strategies to their work with the children.