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Kara Ratai

Director of FIeld Placement and Assistant Professor of Education
Art Education, Elementary Education, Master of Education Critical and Cultural Literacy

Kara Ratai serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Field Placement at Seton Hill University, where she oversees teacher preparation programs, develops strong partnerships with local school districts, and supports both student teachers and university supervisors in creating meaningful classroom experiences. She has obtained her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where her research focused on literacy and teacher development.

With nearly two decades of experience in education, Kara has taught at the elementary, middle, and university levels, holding roles as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and higher education faculty member. She has presented her scholarship nationally through organizations such as the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers and the American Reading Forum, and her work on differentiated literacy coaching has been published in professional journals.


Kara is an active member of several professional associations, including the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Beyond her academic roles, Kara is dedicated to mentoring future educators, advancing equitable literacy practices, and contributing to her community through leadership and service.

Education

  • Doctor of Education Curriculum & Instructions (2025)

  • Master's of Reading Education K-12, University of Pittsburgh (2008)

  • Bachelors of Science, Elementary K-6, Westminster College (2004)

Publications

  • Ankrum J.W., Genest, M., Ratai, K. & Goss, E. (2024). Differentiated literacy coaching: Collaborating for teacher change. Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers Yearbook Volume 45: Viewing Literacy Through Innovative Lenses, 213-231.

  • Ratai, K. (2007). The Polka Dotted Princess. AuthorHouse Publishing.

Awards

  • American Reading Forum Graduate Scholarship 2023

Organizations

  • National Association for the Education of Young Children           2024-Present
  • Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators      2024-Present
  • Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers                    2023-Present

Presentations

  • Ankrum, J., Genest, M., Megard Grønli, K., Walgermo, B., Huang, C., Ratai, K., & Mahmood, F. (2025, December). Comprehension Instruction in Kindergarten with Decodable and Other Texts. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Reading Forum (ARF), Atlantic Beach, FL.
  • Harris, K., Tamburrino, M., Stone, M., & Ratai, K. (2025, November). Embracing a Culture of Enlightenment, Joy, Wonder, and Gratitude: Activating the Human Spirit for Culturally Responsive Teaching. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Orlando, FL.
  • Ankrum, J., Megard Grønli, K., Walgermo, B., Huang, C., Ratai, K. & Moss, T. (2025, November). Exploring Teachers’ Use of the Read to Me Checklist. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER), Oklahoma City, OK.

  • Ankrum, J.W., Genest, M., Mahmood, F., Ratai, K., & Goss, E. (2024, December). Perceptions of Ability vs Assessment Data: Implications for Literacy Instruction and Student Performance. Paper  presented at the annual meeting of the American Reading Forum (ARF), Charlotte Harbor, FL.

  • Ankrum, J.W., Genest, M., Ratai, K., Mahmood, F., & Goss, E. (2024, November). What’s Going On? Published Programs as Barriers or Supports to Data-Informed Instruction. Paper  presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER), Orlando, FL.

  • Ankrum, J.W., Genest, M., Ratai, K., & Waggoner, E. (2023, December). Exploring the Relationship between Teacher Change and Literacy Coaching Intensity. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Reading Forum (ARF), St. Pete’s Beach, FL.

  • Ankrum, J.W., Ratai, K., & Waggoner, E. (2023, November). Differentiated Literacy Coaching: Collaborating for Teacher Change. Paper presented at the annual meeting of Association of Literacy Educators and Research (ALER), Santa Fe, NM.

  • Ratai, K.N. (2009). DIBELS. Presented to K-6 teachers at Greater Latrobe School District, Latrobe, PA. Follow-up training provided.

  • Ratai, K.N. & Firestone, R. (2009). 5 Key Areas of Reading. Presented as Act 48 workshop to teachers at Greater Latrobe School District, Latrobe, PA.

Certifications

  • Middle Level English (2007)- Pennsylvania Department of Education

  • Reading Specialist Certificate- University of Pittsburgh (2007)- Pennsylvania Department of Education