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

• Bean, R.M., Dole, J.A., Nelson, K.L., Belcastro, E.G., & Zigmond, N. (2015). The sustainability of a national reading reform in two states. Reading & Writing Quarterly.
• Ankrum, J., Genest, M., & Belcastro, E. (2013). The power of verbal scaffolding: "Showing" beginning readers how to use reading strategies. Early Childhood Education Journal.
• Mathers, B.G. & Belcastro, E.G. (2013). A reflective approach to teaching reading intervention: Pre-service teachers evaluate theory and practice. CEDER Yearbook.

Presentations

• Belcastro, E. G. (2018, May). Inclusion: A Christian Approach to Creating Hospitable Classrooms for Students with Disabilities. Presented at the ICCTE Conference, Abilene, TX
• Belcastro, E. G., Genest, M. T., & Ankrum, J. W. (2017, November). Beyond Student Teaching: The Influence of a Case Study on In-Service Teachers' Reading Instruction. Presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers Conference, St. Petersburg, FL
• Belcastro, E. G. & Schmalz, K. (2017, October). Making the connection: Linking theory and practice in a special education internship program. Educational Practice & Reform, 3, 43-55.
• Genest, M., Belcastro, E.G., Ankrum, J.W. (2015, April). “Nice Job!” Investigating the  Feedback of Cooperating Teachers. Presented at the Annual National Student Teaching Conference, Westchester University, PA.
• 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

• Member, American Association on Intellectual and Development Disabilities
• Member, Arc, 2009-present
• Member, Council for Exceptional Children, 2009-present
• Member, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2007-present
• Member, International Reading Association, 2006-present
• Member, National Reading Conference, 2006-present
• Member, College Reading Association, 2006-present
• Member, Keystone State Reading Association, 2006-present
• Member, Beaver County Reading Association, 2006-present
• Member, Pi Lambda Theta, 2006-present
• Member, Council of Graduate Students in Education, 2006-present 

Miscellaneous

• I enjoy reading devotional and motivational books, fitness walking, traveling, and spending time with family.

Print