Dr. Owens taught junior high students in Chicago prior to teaching at DePaul. She enjoys teaching the Children’s Literature course and spending time in schools with her students. She currently serves as the editor of the highly regarded Illinois Reading Council Journal . She is a sought after speaker on topics ranging from visual literacy to Dr. Seuss . She has managed over $1 million in grants related to teacher development, technology, and literacy.
Education
- PhD in Curriculum and Instruction-Literacy, University of Illinois at Chicago
- MEd in Curriculum and Instruction- Literacy, University of Illinois at Chicago
- BS in Elementary Education, DePaul University
Courses Taught
- EE 347 Children's Literature
Research Interests
Literacy; Children's Literature: Authors, Trends, Uses in Classrooms, Integration Across Curriculum, History of; Women's Bowling: History of, Wings of Mercy Campaign in World War II (Women on the Homefront), Societal Impacts
Selected Publications
Owens, R. (Fall, 2021) In Pandemics, Bowling, and Life…It’s All About Your Approach.
The Prairie Wind (p. 15-17) Bulletin of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Owens, R. (July/August 2021), For The Love of Books, A Restorer Works His Magic.
The Caxtonian. (XXIX, 4), p 6-7. Publication of the Organization of Archivists, Conservators, Librarians, and Book Collectors.
http://wefli.org/Home.html Old Time Broadcasts for New Time Podcasts: Educational Resource Website for aural/oral/writing/reading/technology media development.
Rieckhoff, B. S. Owens, R. F. & Kraber, B. (2018). Teaching in the 21st Century: Perspectives from a Catholic University Partnership,
Journal of Catholic Education, 21(2).
http://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2036&context=ce
Editor,
Illinois Reading Council Journal (2014-present), blind peer-reviewed journal of the Illinois Reading Council. Acceptance rate 10%. Circulation: 4,000
Owens, R. & Vasill, N. (2011).
St. Vincent DePaul: Revelations in Rhythm and Rhyme. Project Supported by Vincentian Endowment Fund.
http://vimeo.com/30714043
Owens, R. (2010).
The Making of an Icon. A video documentary of contemporary and classic forms of art related to St Vincent DePaul. A Fine Arts/Literacy/Technology Integration Project. Support provided by Vincentian Endowment Fund. Production Team: Alex Eldridge and Nick Vassil. Available http://vimeo.com/10972511
Selected Presentations
That's How They Rolled: Women Bowlers' 5.2 Million Dollar Contribution Towards Victory During World War II (forthcoming Fall 2022)
Mysteries, Myths, and Fascinating Facts About the Titanic. Presented Virtually to Delta Kappa Gamma Women’s International Education Sorority, March 30, 2021.
The Nonsense and Good Sense of Dr. Seuss: The Man, The Myth, and the Women Behind the Legend, Presented multiple times around the state of Illinois, Featured speaker at Illinois Reading Council Conference, presented to the Beta Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, March 12, 2020, Northbrook Illinois.
Don’t Sink Their Interest: Using Engaged Learning Strategies to Teach About the Titanic. Presented to the Alpha Delta Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, March 14, 2020, Chicago, Illinois
I See What You’re Saying: Using Visuals, Multiple Genre and Varied Text Structure to Engage Students. Presented to various local councils of the Illinois Reading Council around the state. Most Recent, Eastern Central Illinois, April 21, 2021
Enhancing Family Literacy; Engaging, Exciting, Igniting Family Literacy. Multiple presentations at schools, school districts, and local reading councils in Illinois 2009-2018. (Examples, Oscar Mayer School Chicago, Berkeley School District, Fox Valley Reading Council.)
Awards and Honors
DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Award
DePaul University Spirit of DePaul Award
DePaul University Excellence in Public Service Award
Illinois Reading Council Hall of Fame
Illinois Reading Council Parents and Reading Award
Website
http://wefli.org/Home.html
Curriculm Vitae
Owens_CV.pdf