About The Center

A group of teens sit around a table engaged in literacy work.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Center for Adolescent Literacies (CAL) at UNC Charlotte to advance the literacy and learning of adolescents (4-12+) in urban, rural, and other settings through research, teaching, and community engagement.

Goals

Provide professional development and support for educators and community organizations working with adolescents to support adolescent literacy and learning
Advance the field of adolescent literacy and learning through research and scholarship
Support evidence-based reading, writing, and adolescent learning practices to educate pre- and in-service teachers

Center TEam

The Center is supported by the work of the following colleagues in the Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte:

Dr. Heather Coffey, Department of Middle, Secondary and K-12 Education
Dr. Hillary Dack, Department of Middle, Secondary and K-12 Education
Dr. Tina Heafner, Department of Middle, Secondary and K-12 Education
Dr. Adriana Medina, Department of Reading & Elementary Education
Dr. Adam Myers, Department of Middle, Secondary and K-12 Education
Dr. Erica Neal, Ph.d. graduate in Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Chris O’Brien, co-director, Department of Special Education and Child Development
Dr. Tracy Rock, Department of Reading & Elementary Education
Dr. Bruce Taylor, co-director, Department of Reading & Elementary Education
Dr. Jean Vintinner, co-director, Department of Reading & Elementary Education

A teenage girl stands alongside a large bookcase reading a book.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. It leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.