Biography

Dr. Jill Swavely's current research interests involve the study of teacher preparation for teaching literacy to English learners in secondary school content areas. She has also done research in the area of second language writing for both K-12 and college-level English learners. As coordinator of Temple’s ESL certificate program, her teaching interests involve designing and teaching courses in this program that prepare teachers for designing instruction, assessments and curricula that effectively address the needs of K-12 English learners. She is co-primary investigator of a five-year, $2.7 million Department of Education National Professional Development grant titled “Transforming School L.I.F.E. (Leadership, Instruction and Family Engagement) for English learners.” Through this project, she is providing professional development to teachers and administrators in selected School District of Philadelphia high schools. As part of this professional development, school faculty, staff, and administrators will not only improve the educational experiences of their English learners, but also will improve their relationships with these students’ families and communities.