Susan Blackburn

2024 Linda Dorn Literacy Leadership Award

In memory of Dr. Linda Dorn and to honor her legacy, each year the Missouri Association of Reading Recovery Educators will recognize a leader who has successfully coordinated systemic change and, as a result, has helped districts attain high student achievement.

Susan Blackburn, Columbia Public Schools, has been a champion for Reading Recovery as a teacher, a Teacher Leader, and a Board of Education member.  As a result of her support in all of those roles, she has impacted our school district by teaching many students, training and supporting teachers who continue to strive for excellence in instruction for the most struggling students, and has helped to build a Reading Recovery site which perseveres. 

“Susan was a champion for her teachers and encouraged us to grow professionally…Susan’s knowledge and expertise provided a counterbalance to personal agendas and competing financial interests and helped our district maintain a focus on reading achievement instead of subskill mastery."

“A short letter couldn’t begin to capture all of my appreciation for her vision, leadership and support.  The best result of her labors is knowing that our most striving first graders in CPS are still receiving the best quality literacy instruction from highly trained reading specialists.” 

“Throughout her three years of tenure on the board, literacy instruction remained at the forefront of her mind.  At every stage of Susan’s professional life she has been a true literacy leader… Susan, in the spirit of Linda Dorn, continues to use her voice to advocate for Reading Recovery and outstanding literacy instruction for all wherever she goes.”

Thank You, Oklahoma State University Staff!

Donita Shaw, Ph.D.

PROFESSOR OF LITERACY EDUCATION

Buck Endowed Professor

Reading Recovery University Trainer

For information about Reading Recovery in Oklahoma, please click here.

For information about an online master’s degree in literacy, please click here.