Char Moffit, PhD

Education

Ph.D., Curriculum & Instruction (Emphasis in Literacy, Cognate in Eary Childhood), University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2013

M.Ed., Educational Leadership, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2001

Teaching Certificate, Elementary Education, Sierra Nevada College 1997

B.S., Biology, University of Nevada, Reno 1995

Areas of Expertise

• Literacy education
• Science education
• Clinical practice
• Children's literature
• Science integration
• Disciplinary literacy

Biography

Dr. Char Moffit is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Chico. Her research interests include: the integration of literacy and science in elementary school using inquiry to teach students to be thinkers and doers; Children's literature that focuses on ecological and social justice issues; and supporting new rural educators. She teaches the following courses: Multicultural Children's Literature, Elementary Science Methods, Elementary Literacy Methods, and Rural and Small School Education.

Awards

Chico State Outstanding Faculty Recognition & Support Committee Outstanding Teacher Award, 2021-2022

Chico Rotary Club Educator of the Year for Chico State, 2022

Affiliations

International Literacy Association

National Council of Teachers of English

National Science Teaching Association

Grants & Contracts Awarded

Moffit, C. & Korber, I. (December, 2021). Learning and Teaching about Social and Ecological Justice through Curriculum Kits and Guest Speakers. Submitted for the Chico State Student Learning Fees Funds: Funded $7,500.

Moffit, C. (June, 2021). Student-Centered Learning about Insects through Inquiry, Ecological Justice, and Citizen Science in Elementary School. Submitted for the Chrysalis Grant Regular Grant Cycle: Funded $999.00.

Moffit, C. & Korber, I. (December, 2020). Diverse Children’s Literature to Support Students in Preparing for Future Careers. Submitted for the Chico State Student Learning Fees Funds: Funded $2,000.00.

Publications & Presentations 

Moffit, C., Diaz, J., Hawkins, C., Hopkinson, D., Olsen, J., & Southam, L. (November, 2022). Learning how to Integrate Literacy and Science in Elementary School with Inquiry, Ecological justice, and Citizen science with the Book, Butterflies Belong Here. Four-hour workshop at the 2022 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference. Anaheim, CA.

Moffit, C., Bertolone-Smith, C.M., & Colmenares, E.E. (July, 2022). Integrating Literacy and Science with Insects through Inquiry, Ecological Justice, and Citizen Science. European Literacy Conference. Dublin, Ireland.

Moffit, C. (June, 2022). Integrating literacy and science with insects and inquiry in the early elementary classroom. Invited presentation at the NorCal Educational Leadership Consortium Second Annual Summer Leadership Online Institute: Chico, CA. 

Moffit, C., Bertolone-Smith, C.M., & Colmenares, E.E. (February, 2022). Mentoring a Novice Teacher in a Multi-Age Rural School Setting in Tumultuous Times. Roundtable Presentation at the Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.

Larison, I., & Moffit, C. (March, 2021). United States Board on Books for Young Children, Outstanding International Books- Displacement and Migration. The 15^th International Child and the Book Conference Online. Berlin, Germany.

Moffit, C. (December, 2020). Making and using books to engage young children in mathematics. Presentation at the California Math Council- North Online Conference. Redding, CA.

Moffit, C. (November, 2020). A First-Person Study on Teaching Multicultural Children’s Literature Online. Fostering Dialogue Teaching Children’s Literature at the University Online Conference. Padua, Italy. 

Moffit, C. (March, 2020). Children’s Literature and bookmaking as tools in Mathematics Learning. Presentation at the Mt. Lassen Math Council Conference. Redding, CA.

Moffit, C. (February, 2020). Changing pre-service teachers’ perceptions about teaching science in elementary school. Presentation at the 2020 Association of Teacher Educators Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.

Moffit, C. (December, 2019). Children’s Literature as a tool in Mathematics Learning. Workshop at the California Math Council- North Conference. Monterey, CA.

Humphrey, D. & Moffit, C. (October, 2019). Supporting diverse families through Children’s literature and unpacking unconscious bias. Presentation at the 2019 International Literacy Association Conference with the Literacy and Social Responsibility Special Interest Group. New Orleans, LA.

Moffit, C., Will-Dubyak, K., & Macwhinnie, L. (August, 2019). Exploring the art of bookmaking with pre-service teachers to increase engagement in early literacy learning. European Literacy Conference. Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Willis, A., Kombe, D., & Moffit, C. (January, 2019). Practicing the high leverage practices: How do we do it? Invited Presentation at the California Mathematics Council- North Section, Leadership Retreat. Sacramento, CA.

Moffit, C. (November, 2018). Engaging young children in science and literacy learning: one biology major’s career path. Invited Presentation at the Biology Department Seminar. California State University, Chico. Chico, CA.

Moffit, C., & Dunkerly-Bean, J. (July, 2018). Embracing “The other”: Preservice teachers respond to portrayals of immigrants and refugees in Children’s Literature. Presentation at the 2018 International Literacy Association with the Social Justice Special Interest Group. Austin, TX.

Smith, T., Leavitt, T., Tanase, M., & Moffit, C. (February, 2018). Ten years later: Reflecting on how a teacher education graduate program best prepares teacher educators. Presentation at the 2018 Association of Teacher Educators Conference. Las Vegas, NV.