Rochelle Berndt

Dr. Rochelle Berndt is an associate professor of literacy education, literacy coordinator and middle childhood education coordinator in the department of education at Baldwin Wallace University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Arts degree in literacy education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a literacy specialization from Kent State University.

Berndt currently instructs literacy courses for preservice teachers and teaches online graduate literacy education courses. Additionally, Berndt serves as the director of the language, learning, and literacy center at BW, which provides academic and social-emotional learning skills and resources to children in the local community.

She has an active research agenda in the areas of literacy and teacher education, and has presented at numerous local, state and national conferences. Her lines of inquiry include best practices in teacher education, teachers’ professional identities, literacy motivation and engagement, teaching for social justice through children’s and adolescent literature, the integration of literacy across the curriculum, and the link between social-emotional learning and literacy instruction.

Berndt serves on numerous departmental and university committees, as well as lends her insights to community organizations. She is the co-director of the 2nd & 7 Foundation chapter at BW, which focuses on literacy initiatives with local second grade students in Cleveland. Berndt volunteers as a College Now mentor for undergraduate students who are first-generation college students. She is a member of the Ohio Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (OACTE) Board of Trustees. She currently serves as the chair of the professional advancement committee.