Meral Kaya
Assistant Professor
Childhood, Bilingual and Special Education
Location: 2103 James Hall
Phone: 718.951.5000 x3756
Fax: 718.951.4816
Email:
Meral Kaya earned a B.A. and an M.A. in Turkey and finished her Ph.D. at the Ohio State University. She worked as an assistant professor in Turkey and in Rhode Island College, Providence. Kaya enjoys teaching language arts and children's literature and hopes to help students see the value of it, as they are responsible for nurturing the kids for lifelong reading and learning.
Education:
Ph.D., Ohio State University - 2002 (Education, General)
Master of Arts, Bilkent University - 1995 (Teaching as a Second Language)
Areas of Expertise:
Teaching literacy and children's literature in elementary education, specifically language arts, reading, evaluating children's literature and utilizing children's literature for literacy purposes.
Books and Publications
Kaya, M., S. O'Connor-Petruso and F. Girelli-Carasi. "Literacy--A Critical Constituent for Successful Globalization." Globalization: Technology, Literacy & Curricula. Eds. S.A. O'Connor-Petruso and F. Girelli-Carasi. Boston: Pearson Custom. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2010
"Using Children's Literature in Teaching Reading and Writing in Elementary Schools" (in Turkish). National Children's Literature Symposium: Developments, Problems and Solutions. Ed. Sedat Sever. Ankara, Turkey: Ankara University. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2007
Saracli, S., I. Dogan, Z. Kaygisiz and M. Kaya. "The Reasons Students Change Academic Programs in State Universities in Turkey." Education Research Journal in Turkey 22, Winter. http://www.aniyayincilik.com.tr/DERGI/haber_oku.asp?haber=324. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2005
"Paul Biegel" review. Bookbird 42.4: 47. (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2004
"Teenagers in Turkey." Teen Life Around the World. Ed. Jeffrey Kaplan. Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2003
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
PSC-CUNY Award # 62440-00 40, for "Promoting Reflective Dispositions Toward Teaching Among Teacher Candidates." (Grants and Fellowships) 2009
Best Service as a Leader Award, by Turkish Student Association, Ohio State University. (Awards and Honors) 2001
Outstanding International Student Leadership Award, by Office of International Education, Ohio State University. (Awards and Honors) 2000
Scholarship awarded by World Bank National Education Development Project in Turkey (Turkish Government-based scholarship) to pursue doctoral studies in the United States, Autumn 1996-Spring 1998. (Grants and Fellowships) 1996
Scholarship awarded by United States Information Service, Fullbright & Bilkent University to pursue master program in Bilkent University, Autumn 1994-Summer 1995. (Grants and Fellowships) 1995
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
"Dispositions and Abilities of Effective Teachers" poster. 13th Annual Faculty Day, Brooklyn College. May 20. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009
"Sakarya Reads," Children's Literature Workshop and Conference." Conducted a series of nine sessions in the workshop as a teacher trainer: (1) with early childhood teachers--drama, family-school partnership, using book bags, the importance of picture books in lifelong reading, criteria in choosing children's books and teaching writing through children's books in early childhood education; (2) with elementary school teachers--questioning in critical thinking through children's books, read aloud and independent reading activities, teaching comprehension through books, using genres in teaching reading and writing in elementary schools. Sakarya, Turkey, April 5-15. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007
"Teachers' Dispositions as Habits of Mind and Heart: The Exploration of Three Expert Reading Teachers' Beliefs and Practices." New England Educational Research Organization 39th Annual Conference. Portsmouth, N.H., April 25-27. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007
"Children's Literature and Teaching Reading and Writing in Elementary Schools." Children's Literature Conference. Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 4-6. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006
"Alternative Methods in Teaching Reading and Writing." Doruk Education Center Conference. Afyon, Turkey, Oct. 2-3. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2004
"Children's Literature and Reading." Children's Literature 2004 Conference. Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 23-25. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2004
"Reading Teachers' Beliefs and Practices Through Children's Literature in Reading Development." International Reading Association, 48th Annual Convention. Orlando, Fla., May 4-8. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2003
"Women and Education in Contemporary Turkey." Midfest Educational Festival. Middletown, Ohio, Sept. 30-Oct. 1. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2000
Kaya, M. and K. Diel. "Natural Disasters: Students in Crisis (Organizational Leadership Skills)." NAFSA VI Regional Conference. Sandusky, Ohio, Nov. 5-7. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2000
"The Relationship Between Affective Variables and Participation." 32nd Annual International Convention of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Seattle, March 17-21. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 1998
Kaya, M. and E. Gursoy. "Technology in Second Language Learning." Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Wisconsin, Oct. 23-27. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 1997
Professional Leadership
Committee member, Childhood Education Program, September 2007-present. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007
Other Professional Activities
Member, Award Selection Committee, Gulten Dayioglu Children's and Youth Literature Organization, Istanbul, January 2008-present. 2008
