Education
- Ph.D. 1998 University of Texas at Austin Language & Literacy
- M. Ed. 1988 Texas State University Reading
- B.S. Ed. 1984 Texas State University Elementary Ed.- Reading
Certifications
- Elementary Education (Grades 1-8)
- Professional Reading Specialist
- Professional Supervision
Teaching Honors and Awards
- David Bruton, Jr. Fellowship- The University of Texas at Austin 1996-1997
- Alpha Chi Honor Society- “Favorite Professor”- SWTSU 1994
Professional Organizations
- National Reading Conference
- International Reading Association
- New Jersey Reading Association
Grants Awarded
Co-author of America Reads Grant for 1998-1999 (Awarded $50,000)
Journal Articles
- Worthy, J. and McKool, S.S. (1996). Students who say they hate to read: The importance of opportunity, choice, and access. 31st edition of the National Reading Conference Yearbook.
- Hoffman, J.V., Worthy, J., Roser, n., Rutherford, W., McKool, S., and Strecker, S. (1996). Performance assessment in first grade classrooms: The PALM Model. 31st edition of the National Reading Conference Yearbook.
Chapters In Books
- Hoffman, J.V., Worthy, J., McKool, S.S., Rutherford, W.L., Roser, N.L., & Strecker, S. (1997). Challenging the assessment context for literacy instruction in first grade: A collaborative study. In C. Harrison, C., Baily, & A. Dewar (Eds.) New Approaches to Reading Assessment.
- Worthy, J., Hoffman, J.M., Roser, N.L., Rutherford, W.L., McKool. S.S., & Strecker, S. (1997). Alternative Assessment of First Grader’s Literacy: Maintaining Our (Grass) Roots. In M. Coles & R. Jenkins (Eds.) International perspectives on reading assessment: Challenging practice in classroom.
Textbooks
- Caverly, D.C., Nicholson, S., Sundin- McKool, S., & Oelke, E. (1991). Lab Manual: 1300 Reading Improvement. Ginny’s, San Marcos, TX.
Presentations
- McKool, S.S. amd Cuddihy, C. (2004). The effects of a teacher-created website on students’ attitudes towards reading and writing. Paper presented at the International Reading Association’s 49th Annual Convention. Reno, Nevada.
- McKool, S.S. (2003). Comprehension instruction: What we all should know. Paper presented at Rutgers 35th Annual Conference on Reading & Writing. New Brunswick, NJ.
- McKool, S.S. (2001). Motivating reluctant readers and writers. Paper presented at Rutgers 33rd Annual Conference on Reading & Writing. New Brunswick, NJ.
- McKool, S.S. (1999). To Read or not to read: Avid and reluctant readers speak out. Paper presented at the 44th Annual National Reading Conference. Orlando, FL.
- McKool, S.S. (1997). Factors that influence the decision to read: An investigation of fifth grade students out-of-school reading habits. Paper presented at the 43rd Annual National Reading Conference. Scottsdale, AZ.
- McKool, S.S., and Worthy, J. (1996). Case studies of students who say they hate to read. Paper presented at the 42nd Annual National Reading Conference. New Orleans, LA.
- Worthy, J., McKool, S.S., and Strecker, S. (1996). PALM: Primary assessment of language arts and mathematics. Paper presented at the 41st meeting og the International Reading Association. New Orleans, LA.Worthy, J., and McKool, S.S. (1995). Students who say they hate to read: The importance of opportunity, choice and access. Paper presented at the 41st Annual National Reading Conference. New Orleans, LA.
- Hoffman, J.V., Worthy, J., Roser, N., Rutherford, W., McKool, S., and Stecker, S. (1996). Performance assessment in first grade classrooms: The PALM Model.Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Texas State Reading Association annual conference. Austin, TX.
- Hoffman, J.V., Worthy, J., and McKool, S.S. (1995). Evaluating the effectiveness of non- traditional assessment to inform both teachers and policy-makers: A study of an independent school district in Texas. Paper presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the National Reading Conference. New Orleans, LA.
- Peterson, C., Caverly, D., and McKool, S. (1994). Journaling through E-Mail. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the College Reading and Learning Association. San Diego, CA.
- Nicholson, S., Caverly, D., and McKool, S. (1993). Graphic Organizers: Collaborating adapting, and reflecting to construct meaning. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the College Reading and Learning Association. Overland Park, KS.
- Sundin, S.R. (1992). Ready…set…write. Paper presented at the Third Annual Conference for Pre-K-12 Educators. Laredo, TX.
- Sundin, S.R (1992). P.L.A.N.: A strategy for success. Paper presented at the Twentieth Texas State Reading Association Conference. El Paso, TX.
- Sundin, S.R, and Caverly, D.C. (1992). Improved journal writing via computers in a developmental reading program. Paper presented at the National Association of Developmental Educators. San Antonio, TX.
- Sundin, S., Nicholson, S., Caverly, D.C., & Oelke, E. (1992). Empowering college readers through metacognitive awareness. Paper presented at the Annual Southwest Regional Conference of the International Reading Association. Dallas, TX.
- Sundin, S. R., and Knott, S.E. (1991). Vocabulary developmental through creative dramatics: A break from tradition. Paper presented at the Second Annual Regional Conference for Pre-K-12 Educators. Laredo, TX.
- Nicholson. S.A., Sundin, S.R., & Caverly, D.C. (1991). From whole language theory to practice: Facilitating transfer of study strategies. Paper presented at the Annual National Meeting of the College Reading Learning Association. San Antonio, TX.
- Sundin, S., Caverly, D.C., & Nicholson, S. (1991). A P.L.A.N. for developing awareness to practice. Paper presented at Texas council of the College Reading and Learning Association/Texas Association of Developmental Educators Tenth Annual State Conference on Academic Support Services. Amarillo, TX.
- Sundin, S. (1990). How to be top-down in a bottom-up world. Paper presented at Second Annual TSRA Mini-Conference for Students and Beginning Teachers. San Marcos, TX.
- Caverly, D.C., Sudin, S., Nicholson, S., & Oelke, E. (1990). Empowering college readers through journal writing. Paper presented at Texas Council of the College Reading and Learning Association/ Texas Association of Developmental Educators Ninth Annual Conference on Academic Support Services. San Antonio, TX.
- Caverly, D.C., Sundin, S., Nicholson, S., & Oelke, E. (1990). Empowering T.A.S.P developmental readers through computers. Paper presented at Texas Council of the College Reading and Learning Association/ Texas Association of Developmental Educators Ninth Annual Conference on Academic Support Services. San Antonio, TX.
- Caverly, D.C., Sundin, S., Nicholson, S., & Oelke, E. (1990). Challenge for a new decade: Integrating whole- language into a T.A.S.P. college reading course. Paper presented at Eighteenth Texas State Reading Association Annual Conference. Austin, TX.
Invited Talks and Lectures
- McKool, S.S. (2003). Motivating young readers and writers. Lecture presented to the Readington School District Home and School Association at Three Bridges Elementary School.
- McKool, S.S. (2003). Motivating young readers and writers. Lecture presented to the Readington School District Home and School Association at Whitehouse Elementary School.
- McKool, S.S. (2000) Motivating reluctant readers. Lecture as part of the 4-8 Literacy Staff Development Project sponsored by Rutgers Graduate School of Education.
- McKool, S.S. (1996) Reading strategies and motivational techniques for low performing students. In- service presented at Seguin Independent School District. Seguin TX.
- McKool, S.S. (1996). Reading comprehension strategies. In-service presented at Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary. Del Valle, TX.