Dr. Keith Polette, a specialist in children's and adolescent literacy, is a Professor of English at the University of Texas at El Paso. 

Before moving to El Paso, he was an English/Language Arts Mentor Teacher in St. Louis, Missouri for both remedial and AP classes.

Keith is also an award-winning teacher.  He recently received:

• The University of Texas System Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award

• Outstanding CeTaL Fellow, UTEP’s Center for Effective Teaching & Learning

• Outstanding Texas Author, the Texas State Reading Association

•  UTEP's College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award for Research and Teaching

•  Saint Louis University's Walter Ong Award for Outstanding Research and Scholarship

As a keynote speaker and workshop leader, Keith is regularly invited to speak at professional conferences and to present literature-based seminars and workshops for teachers (K-6 & 7-12) throughout the United States and Canada. 

His seminars, presentations, and workshops focus on all aspects of student-centered literacy: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  He presents researched-based, classroom-tested strategies that enable students at all levels to develop the critical skills they need to become effective readers and the essential skills they need to become stronger writers.

Sample Article (he has published over 30 articles in professional books and journals): "R.I.T.E. Reading: Constructing Meaning By Finding What’s “Wrong” In an Informational Text"

Teaching Grammar Through Writing:  Activities to Develop Writer's Craft in ALL Students in Grades 4-12 (Allyn & Bacon)

Spoofing and Proofing the Classics:  Literature-Based Activities to Develop Critical Reading Skills and Grammatical Knowledge, co-authored with Nancy Polette (Teacher Ideas Press)

Read and Write It Out Loud! Guided Oral Literacy Strategies (Allyn & Bacon)

Look Out! Letters Alive (Pieces of Learning)

Paco and the Giant Chile Plant (Raven Tree Press)

Isabel and the Hungry Coyote (Raven Tree Press)

The Winter Duckling (Milliken) [Winner of the International Reading Association's Children's Choice Award]