Dr. Elizabeth G. Belcastro

Beth Belcastro Office Phone: 724-847-6132
egbelcas@geneva.edu
ebelcastro1@comcast.net

Disciplines/Field of Instruction

Education Department: Special Education

Degrees Received

Ed.D. in Reading Education, 2009, University of Pittsburgh
M.A. in Specific Learning Disabilities, 1989, West Virginia University
B.A. in Elementary Education, 1983, Fairmont State College

Courses Taught

Education 576 - Advanced Studies of Severe Disabilities
Education 572 - Advanced Studies of Academic Skill Intervention for Exceptional Children
Education 472 - Academic Skill Intervention for Exceptional Children (PK-4 & PK-8 Special Education)
Education 482 - Academic Skill Intervention for Exceptional Children (Secondary Education)
Education 474 - Reading Intervention and Instruction
Education 214 - Level 2 Initial Field Experience: Exploration PK-4 & PK-8 Special Education
Seminars:
The Role of a Literacy Coach
Parenting a Child with Autism: A Book Study
Co-Teaching Practices in Inclusive Classrooms

Publications

Ankrum, J., Genest, M., & Belcastro, E. (2013). The power of verbal scaffolding: "Showing" beginning readers how to use reading strategies. Early Childhood Education Journal. (in press)
Bean, R.M., Dole, J.A., Nelson, K.L., Belcastro, E.G., & Zigmond, N. (2012). The sustainability of a national reading reform in two states. Reading & Writing Quarterly. (in press)
Mathers, B.G. & Belcastro, E.G. (2011). A reflective approach to teaching reading intervention: Pre-service teachers evaluate theory and practice. Manuscript submitted for publication. (in revision)

Presentations

Belcastro, E.G. & Waseleski, E.A. (2013). Marching to the Beat of My Own Drum. Presentation at the 54th Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children, Harrisburg, PA. (In submission)
Belcastro, E.G., Morewood, A.L., Genest, M. & Ankrum, J.W. (April, 2013). Co- Teaching: Cultivating Relationships for a Successful “Marriage” in the Field Placement. Presentation at the 7th Annual National Student Teaching Conference, Slippery Rock, PA.
Belcastro, E. G. (2013). Co-Teaching: Making a Marriage Work in the Classroom. Presented at the Robert Morris University School of Education & Social Sciences Education Conference 2013, Pittsburgh, PA.
Bean, R.M., Dole, J. A., Nelson, K., Belcastro, E., & Zigmond, N. (November, 2012). The Sustainability of a National Reading Reform in Two States. Presented at the 62nd annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association Conference, San Diego, CA.
Belcastro, E.G. (2012). Making Meaningful Connections between Narrative Texts and Young Readers. Presented at the Robert Morris University School of Education & Social Sciences Education Conference 2012, Pittsburgh, PA.
Ankrum, J., Genest, M., & Belcastro, E. (November, 2011). A Description of Verbal Scaffolding: Widening the Circle of Exemplary Practices. Presented at the 61st annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association Conference, Jacksonville, FL.
Belcastro, E., Bean, R., Ankrum, J., & Morewood, A. (November, 2011). I Don’t Use Cookie-Cutter Coaching: Lessons Learned from Differentiated Coaching Conversations. Presented at the 55th annual Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers Conference, Richmond, VA.
Ankrum, J.,Genest, M., & Belcastro, E. (November, 2011). The Power of Verbal Scaffolding: Differentiated Reading Instruction in Kindergarten. Presented at the 55th annual Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers Conference, Richmond, VA.
Ankrum, J. W., Belcastro, E. G., Morewood, A. L., & McMahon, J. (2010, December). Differentiated Reading Instruction: Year One Data from the Classrooms of Exemplary Primary Teachers. Presented at the 60th annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
Mathers, B. G. & Belcastro, E. (November. 2010). Reading Intervention: Pre-service Teachers Discuss their Experiences in the Field. Presented at the 51st annual Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children Conference, State College, PA.
Belcastro, E., Schmalz, K., Baughman, C., Baxter, A., Cover, C., Ellefson, K., Fevang, K., Fisher, E., Forstate, K., & Price, L. (2010, November). Grasping the Meaning of Reading: Research-Based Comprehension Strategies for Struggling Readers. Presented at the 51st annual Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children Conference, State College, PA.
Belcastro, E., Bean, R., & Ankrum, J. (2010, April). “Coaching Conversations: The nature of talk between a literacy coach and three teachers.” Poster Session to be presented at the International Reading Association, Chicago, Illinois.
Belcastro, E. & Bean, R. (2009, December). “Coaching conversations: The nature of talk between a literacy coach and three teachers.” Presented at the 59th annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Bean, R., Belcastro, E., Jenkins, K., Kenavey, L., & Zigmond, N. (2008, December). Defining Literacy Coaching: Lessons Learned from “The Blind Man and the Elephant." Presented at the 58th annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, Orlando, Florida.
Belcastro, E. & Heisey, N. (2008, October). SBRR: Piece of Cake! Presented at the 41st annual Keystone State Reading Association Conference, Valley Forge, PA.
Bean, R., Belcastro, E., Heisey, N., Jenkins, K., & Wilson, R. (2007, November). What Do They Do All Day?: Literacy Coaching Practices and Outcomes. Paper session presented at the 57th annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, Austin, Texas.
Heisey, N., & Belcastro, E. (2007, October). SBRR: Practical Suggestions for Classroom Implementation. Presented at the 40th annual Keystone State Reading Association Conference, Hershey, PA.
Bean, R., Belcastro, E., Heisey, N., Morewood, A., & Zigmond, N. (2007, March). Crossing Boundaries: Teachers’ and Coaches’ Perceptions of an On-Line Course in Pennsylvania’s Reading First Schools. Presented at the Council of Graduate Students in Education Academic Research Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
Bean, R., Belcastro, E., Hathaway, J., Risko, V., Rosemary, C., & Roskos, K. (2006, December). Literacy Coaching: A Synthesis of the Research and Literature. Symposium session presented at the 56th annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, Los Angeles, CA.

Current Projects

I am currently collaborating with colleagues on several research projects focused on differentiated instruction, co-teaching practices and inclusion education.

Awards & Distinctions Received

Recipient of the Fairmont State College Public School Teaching Fellowship, Fairmont State College and Harrison County Board of Education, 1992
Recipient of the WV Governor’s Recognition Award for Teaching Excellence, Harrison County Board of Education, 1999

Affiliations