R. JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ
is a research associate in the Center for Teaching and Learning and works on projects directly associated with student learning, assessment, and achievement at The University of Texas at Austin. He teaches courses in American literature and language acquisition. He is serving on the English language arts–reading content coordinating team for the 2012 Series GED Tests, American Council of Education.
Joseph earned a Ph.D. (2001) from the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, a master’s degree (1999) in English from The University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor’s degree (1997) in modern languages and literatures from Kenyon College. He has taught English and Spanish language arts at various levels in public schools and at the university level. He has worked in educational assessment and program evaluation since 2001. He previously served as director of assessment and accreditation services in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Houston.
In 1997, Joseph joined NCTE and has gained research knowledge about English language arts education and ways to collaborate for student success. He is the recipient of NCTE Research Foundation’s Cultivating New Voices Fellowship (2002-2004). He has published articles in the English Journal (2011), English Leadership Quarterly (2008), College Culture, Student Success: A Longman Topics Reader (2008), and Guide to College Reading (2003). In 2005, Joseph joined the Conference on English Leadership (CEL) and served on the CEL 2009 Program Committee. He is currently serving a term as member-at-large (2011-2013).
Joseph enjoys reading diverse U.S. and world literatures. Some of his favorite authors include Sherman Alexie, Gwendolyn Brooks, Dave Eggers, Nadine Gordimer, Pat Mora, Gary Soto, and Alice Walker. He enjoys working with colleagues in the teaching profession and is motivated by the art of teaching and learning. Joseph enjoys writing, storytelling, cooking, traveling, hiking, and kayaking. He is a caregiver to three cantankerous canines.