Becky Witte
Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Blauwkamp Witte is interested in the intersection of elementary literary practices and racial literacies. Her professional writing often addresses how teachers can illuminate for students the way works of literature express a stance centered on racial justice. When appropriate, her research and writing is often infused with elements of Christianity, looking for possibilities to deepen and widen understandings of community within educational spaces.
Her 18 years as an elementary and middle school teacher in Florida and Michigan gave her experience teaching all subjects, and she became especially drawn to connections between literacy and social studies. She enjoyed using creativity in her instruction, even writing songs about photosynthesis and the parts of speech, and building community in her classroom, practices she continues with her college-level classes.Rebecca is particularly interested in how traditional literacy practices such as letter-writing and journaling can be put to good use in 21st-century classrooms. Her doctoral dissertation explored how one third grade teacher used the literacy practice of letter writing, having students write to her incarcerated uncle, to widen conceptions of Christian community. In this way, students grappled with issues of race and justice, providing possibilities for what is possible in Christian education.
Areas of Expertise
Rebecca writes and teaches in the area of elementary education, specifically in social studies and literacy pedagogy and practices.
Education
- Ph.D., curriculum, instruction and teacher education, Michigan State University, 2024
- M.Ed., teaching, learning and leadership, Western Michigan University, 2005
- B.A., elementary education, Calvin University, 1999
Honors, Grants and Awards
- 鈥淟etters to Uncle Billy: Creating Transformational Literacy Spaces through Letter Writing to an Individual Living in Incarceration,鈥� Michigan State University research fellowship, 2022
- 鈥淒is(play)ing the Work of Children鈥檚 Language Learning through Poetry and Language Play,鈥� Michigan State University research fellowship, 2019
Selected Publications
- 鈥淲hite Christian Nationalism, Biblical Proof Texting, and Literacy Curriculum and Instruction,鈥� with M.M. Juzwik et al., Reading Research Quarterly, 2024
- 鈥淭he Pool as Sacred Space,鈥� Reformed Journal blog, 2024
- 鈥淒ialogic Space as Liminal Space for Love: How One Elementary Teacher Opened Doors for Widening Community and Perspective through Letter Writing,鈥� with M.M. Juzwik, Theory into Practice, 2024
- 鈥淏ack to the Future: Looking at Nostalgic Practices to Conceptualize a More Inclusive Literacy Future,鈥� with D. Rice, Michigan Reading Journal, 2023
- 鈥淛ustifying Juneteenth: A Critical Pairing of Two Children鈥檚 Texts,鈥� with A. Lawson, Michigan Reading Journal, 2023
Outside the College
You can often find Rebecca sitting on the front porch talking to friends and neighbors. In the fall, she might be cheering (very loudly) at her three teenage/preteen sons鈥� cross country meets. Otherwise, she might be in the kitchen cooking one of her favorite soups (please send recipes her way!). Beyond that, Rebecca loves playing games, running, hiking and exploring new places with her husband and their boys. She is active in her church community and serves on its racial justice team.