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Allen, a professor in the department of language and literacy education, teaches courses on writing pedagogy, poetry, family-school partnerships, research writing and critical pedagogies.

University of Georgia College of Education professor JoBeth Allen has been named the 2012 Outstanding Educator in the English Language Arts by the National Council of Teachers of English.

The award recognizes distinguished educators who have made outstanding contributions to the field of language arts in elementary education. Individuals receiving the award must have dramatically impacted classroom practice, obtained national and/or international influence, and contributed a body of work that is compatible with the mission of NCTE.

Allen, a professor in the department of language and literacy education, teaches courses on writing pedagogy, poetry, family-school partnerships, research writing and critical pedagogies. She conducts research with teachers who are exploring issues of educational equity and social justice in relation to literacy teaching and learning at home, in schools and in the community. She is the author of eight books including two recent ones that highlight the work of teachers: Literacy in the Welcoming Classroom: Creating Family-School Partnerships that Support Student Learning (2010) and Creating Welcoming Schools: A Practical Guide to Home-School Partnerships with Diverse Families (2007).

Allen also co-directs the Red Clay Writing Project through which she facilitates teachers studying their practice. A group of RCWP teachers researched how teachers, students and families co-construct critical pedagogies that employ the United Nations Rights of the Child as a critical content framework. Their book, Critical Inquiry through the Rights of the Child, is currently in press with Teachers College Press. Another RCWP group working with Allen is co-authoring a book on family dialogue journals.

In March, she was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame, becoming the third UGA faculty member ever to be appointed.

The Outstanding Educator in the English Language Arts award will be given on Nov. 15, 2012 at the NCTE Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nev., where Allen will give a keynote talk at the Elementary Section Luncheon.