Margaret Policastro

About Me

About me:

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Dr. Margaret M. Policastro is a nationally recognized literacy educator, professor, scholar, and program leader whose career has focused on advancing literacy achievement, educator preparation, school improvement, and educational equity. For more than four decades, she has prepared reading specialists, literacy leaders, classroom teachers, and educational administrators while building innovative partnerships among universities, school districts, state agencies, and community organizations.

As Program Director of Roosevelt University's Literacy Leadership MA and Reading Specialist Programs and former Chair of the Department of Education, Dr. Policastro provides leadership in implementing the Illinois Professional Educator Standards (IPES), the Illinois Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards (CRTL), and the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (ICLP). Her current work focuses on evidence-based literacy instruction, high-impact tutoring, literacy leadership, culturally responsive practices, and the preparation of literacy professionals who can transform outcomes for children and families.

Dr. Policastro is the Founder of Roosevelt University's  Summer Reading Clinic, Faculty Director of the Metropolitan Chicago Tutoring Corps, author of multiple books on literacy pedagogy, formative assessment and family literacy, Living Literacy at Home: A Guide for Parents, recipient of numerous grants and contracts exceeding several million dollars, and has been a keynote speaker at school districts, and state and national literacy conferences. Her scholarship and leadership have influenced literacy policy, teacher development, and school improvement efforts throughout Illinois and beyond.

My Life outside of work:

When I’m not working, my greatest joy is spending time with my family. I am blessed to have four wonderful sons, two amazing daughters-in-law, and four cherished grandchildren who fill my life with love, laughter, and endless happiness. Family time is truly the highlight of my life, and I treasure every opportunity we have to be together.I also enjoy spending time outdoors. I'm an avid gardner which brings me an abundance of great joy, peace and creativity, I love running and training for 5 & 8K road races & runs, hiking in the dunes, biking, playing tennis, and taking long walks along the lake allow a special inner focus of joy and connection to nature. These activities provide balance, renewal, and a sense of well-being. Above all, I am deeply grateful for the many blessings in my life. Every day, I carry a sense of huge gratitude and appreciation for my family and the meaningful work I am fortunate to do. The relationships I share and the work I love bring purpose, fulfillment, and joy to each day.

I was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, where I developed an early appreciation for both the arts and education. I attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education along with a minor in Art Education. During my undergraduate studies, I had the privilege of learning from Dr. Jerome Harste, whose passion for literacy, language, and learning profoundly influenced my career path. His mentorship inspired me to remain at Indiana University to pursue a Master of Science degree in Reading. While completing my master's degree, I returned to northern Indiana and taught Art in Mishawaka and upon completion of my MS in Reading, I was a Reading teacher.  Those early years in the classroom were formative, strengthening my belief in the transformative power of literacy and deepening my commitment to helping children become engaged, confident learners. My experiences working with students sparked a desire to further explore the complex processes of reading and language development, leading me to pursue advanced study. This passion ultimately brought me to Chicago, where I enrolled at Northwestern University and earned a Ph.D. in Reading and Language. The combination of these academic experiences and my work as a classroom teacher shaped my identity as an educator, scholar, and literacy advocate. They laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment of love, joy and passion to literacy education, teacher preparation, and creating meaningful learning opportunities that empower both students and educators to thrive.

Education:

Ph.D. Northwestern University - Reading & Language

M.S. Indiana University - Reading 

B.S. Indiana University - Art Education & Elementary Education

Check out our High Impact Literacy Tutoring website

http://literacy.roosevelt.edu