Beverly Otto, Ph.D., an early childhood educator for over 25 years, is a professor in the Teacher Education Department at Northeastern Illinois University. She earned her doctorate at Northwestern University in Teaching and Learning Processes with a focus on emergent literacy. Dr. Otto teaches courses in language and literacy development for preservice and in-service teachers, along with research for classroom teachers. She also serves as advisor for the MAT: Language Arts-Elementary Education and MSI: Language Arts-Elementary programs. Her major professional goal is preparing teachers to support children's life-long learning through language and literacy development. Dr. Otto has also served as department chair as well as associate dean in the College of Education.
Dr. Otto is the author of
Literacy Development in Early Childhood: Reflective Teaching for Birth to Age Eight, ( (c) 2008 Pearson)and has also authored articles published in international, national and state professional journals. Her field-based research on emergent literacy has been presented at international, national, state, and local conferences. She has served as a consultant to early childhood centers, school districts, as well as the Illinois State Board of Education.