Rachel A. Karchmer Assistant Professor, School of Education rkarchmer@edunet.soe.vcu.edu

• Education

  • Ph.D., Syracuse University (Reading and Language Arts Education)
  • M. Ed., Mount Saint Mary College (Elementary Education)
  • B. A., Ithaca College (Political Science)

  Professional Experience

  • Assistant Professor, VCU
  • Reading Specialist Supervisor, Syracuse University
  • Reading Specialist, Cicero Elementary School, Cicero, NY
  • Fifth Grade Teacher, Driver Middle School, Marcellus, NY
  • Second Grade Teacher, Noxon Road Elementary School, Poughkeepsie, NY

  Recent Publications

  • Karchmer, R. A., Mallette, M. H., & Leu, D. J., Jr. (in press). Early literacy in the digital age: Moving from a singular book literacy
    to the multiple literacies of networked information and communication technologies. In D. M. Barone, & L. M. Morrow (Eds.),
     Research Based Practices in Early Literacy. New York: Guilford.
     
  • Mallette, M. H., & Karchmer, R. A. (in press). Modeling Internet inquiry-based teaching for pre-service educators in literacy methods courses.
     National Reading Conference 51^st Yearbook.
     
  • Karchmer, R. A. (2001). The journey ahead: Thirteen teachers report how the Internet influences
    literacy and literacy instruction in their K-12 classrooms. Reading Research Quarterly, 36, 442-  466.
     
  • Mallette, M. H., Karchmer, R A., & Leu, D. J., Jr. (2001). An invitation: Exploring the new literacies of our future.
     Reading Research and Instruction, 40, 157-158.
     
  • Leu, D. J., Jr., Mallette, M. H., & Karchmer, R. A. (2001). New literacies, new technologies, and
    new realities: Redefining the agenda for literacy research. Reading Research and Instruction, 40, 265-272.
     
  • Karchmer, R.A. (2001, May). Gaining a new, wider audience: Publishing student work on the Internet. Reading Online, 4. Available: http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/elec_index.asp?HREF=/electronic/karchmer/index.html
     
  • Karchmer, R. A. (2000). Using the Internet and children's literature to support interdisciplinary
    instruction. The Reading Teacher, 54, 100-104.
     
  • Karchmer, R. A. (2000). Understanding teachers’ perspectives of Internet use in the classroom:
    Implications for teacher education and staff development. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 16, 81-85.
     
  • Leu, D. J., Jr., Karchmer, R. A., & Leu, D. D. (1999). The Miss Rumphius effect: Envisionments
    for literacy and learning that transform the Internet. The Reading Teacher, 52, 636-642.
     
  • Leu, D. J., & Karchmer, R. A. (1998) Using mailing lists on the Internet for
    professional development. Journal of Reading Education, 23, 25-27.

   

  Editorships

  • Karchmer, R. A., Leu, D. J., Jr., & Mallette, M. H. (2001). Themed issue on literacy and technology for Reading Research and Instruction, 40.

   

  • Karchmer, R. A., & Mallette, M. H. (2001). National Reading Conference Semi-Annual Newsletter.

  Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations

  ·         Karchmer, R. A. (2002). Expanding audiences: Why and how to publish student work on the Internet. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Virginia State Reading Association, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

  ·         Mesmer. H. A., & Karchmer, R. A. (2002). Starting a change: A descriptive study of the literacy practices of K-5 teachers in a rural county. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. New Orleans, Louisiana.

  ·         Leu, D. J., Jr., Karchmer, R. A., & Mallette, M. H. & Kara-Soteriou, J. (2002). New literacies for new times:  IRA’s Miss Rumphius award winners share innovative models of literacy education using the Internet. Preconvention institute presented at the annual meeting of the International Reading Association, San Francisco, California.

  ·         Karchmer, R. A., & Mallette, M. H. (2002). Using the Internet to support inquiry learning. Paper presented at a preconvention institute at the annual meeting of the International Reading Association, San Francisco, California.

  ·         Karchmer, R.A., & Mallette, M.H. (2001). Modeling Internet inquiry-based teaching for preservice educators in literacy methods courses. Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, San Antonio, Texas.

  ·         Olcott-Chandler, K., Mahar, D., Jarzab, E., & Karchmer, R. A. (Discussant). (2001). What happens when students are more "tech savvy" than their teachers?  Perspectives from three studies. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, San Antonio, Texas.

  ·         Mallette, M. H., & Karchmer, R. A. (2001). Inquiry in teacher preparation: Meaningful uses of the Internet in literacy instruction. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the College Reading Association, Orlando, Florida.

  ·         Karchmer, R. A., & Leu, D. J., Jr. (2001). Supporting classroom teachers’ journeys of Internet use: Exemplary Internet educators share their stories. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the International Reading Association, New Orleans, Louisiana.
   

  Contributions to the University
  2001-2002                      VCU Early/Elementary Program Group, Chair

  2001-2003                      VCU Academic Advising Committee, Member

  2000-2001                      VCU Reading Program Group, Chair

  2000-2001                      VCU Faculty Senate, Member

  1999-2001               VCU School of Education Faculty Position Search Committee, Member

  1999    -2001            VCU Faculty Organization Scholarship Award Committee, Chair

  1999-2001               VCU School of Education Technology Committee, Member

  Contributions to the Profession
  2002-2003               Member, Publications Committee, National Reading Conference

  2002                        Proposal Reviewer, American Educational Research Association

  2002                        Guest Reviewer, Reading Research Quarterly

  2001                        Yearbook Reviewer, College Reading Association

  1999 - Present        Reviewer, Reading Research & Instruction

  1999 - Present       Reviewer, Reading On-Line

  1999 - Present       Proposal Reviewer, National Reading Conference

  1998 - Present       Reviewer, The Reading Teacher

  Contributions to the Local Community
  2001-2002         Staff Development Instructor, REA Grant, Bowling Green Primary School, Caroline County, VA

  2001-2002             Staff Development Instructor, REA Grant, Carver Elementary School, Richmond City, VA.

  2001                  Reviewer, Virginia Reading Excellence Act Grant Applications

  2001                  Consultant, Caroline County Schools K-5 Literacy Programs

  2001                   Member, Review Panel on Teacher Education State Reading Assessment – Virginia Department of Education

  2000                   Site Coordinator, VSRA Exemplary Reading Program Award Committee

  1999 - Present   Chair of Student Membership, Richmond Area Reading Council

  Honors
  Semifinalist for the National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship (2002)

  Nominated and elected into the National Council of Research on Literacy and Learning (2001)

  Professional Memberships
  American Educational Research Association

  National Council of Research on Literacy and Learning

  International Reading Association

  National Reading Conference

  College Reading Association

  Virginia State Reading Association

   

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