Instructor Curriculum Vitae
Polk, Lisa
Education
EDUCATION
Sam Houston State University 2017-20
Ed. D. Literacy
Sam Houston State University 2012
M. Ed. Reading
Sam Houston State University 1990
B. A. in Teaching – Cum Laude
Teaching Experience
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
University Teaching
Lamar University, College of Education & Human Development/ Teacher Education 2024-2025
Courses: Content Area Reading PEDG-5375
Politics of Literacy PEDG-5311
Inclusion in the General Education Classroom PEDG-4355
Practicum of Literacy Assessment and Instructional PEDG- 5312
Policies II-Secondary Populations
Texas A&M University-San Antonio, College of Education and Human Development 2024-2025
Courses: Early Literacy & Language EDRG-3315
Disciplinary Literacy EDRG-3331
Language Arts Methods EDRG-4349
Literacy Assmt. & Interv. EDRG-5355
Digital Literacy EDRG-5327
Intermediate & Middle School Literacy EDRG EDRG-4389
Reading Assessment & Intervention EDRG-4331
Reading Comprehension EDRG-5320
Pedagogy I: Theory & Design EDCI -3303
Pedagogy II: Instructional Practices EDCI -3304
Managing the Learning Environment EDCI -3348
Lamar State College Orange, Teacher Education 20-26
Courses: Educating Young Children TECA-1311
Child Growth & Development TECA-1354
Angelina College, English Department
Course: Adjunct Instructor – Integrated Reading and Writing 2013-17
K-12 Education Experience
Curriculum Specialist - Reading Language Arts/Social Studies K-12 2016-22
Livingston ISD
Reading Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher – 5th Grade 2015-16
Onalaska Elementary, Onalaska ISD
Department Head – Special Education 2012-15
Resource English, Co-teach English, Dyslexia teacher, Teacher mentor, coaching 2004-15
Livingston High School Livingston, ISD
Resource English Language Arts – 7th – 8th Grade, coaching 2002-04
Livingston Jr. High School, Livingston ISD
Resource English Teacher, Adaptive Behavior, coaching 2001-02
Katy High School, Katy ISD
Resource English Teacher, Inclusion Teacher, Life Skills/Adaptive Behavior PE, 1991-2001
Content Mastery, homebound teacher, coaching
Conroe High School, Conroe ISD
Athletic Coach and Physical Education Teacher K-12th Grade 1988-1990
Lifestyle Christian School, Conroe, Texas
Significant Publications
PUBLICATIONS
Polk, L. (2024). Engage, connect, and maximize learning through interactive literacy approaches. In C. Maynard, M.E. Mathis, B. Cryer, & S. Chakraborti (Eds.), Texas Association for Literacy Education TALE Yearbook: The Heart of Literacy Connects Us All! (Vol. 11, pp.56-62). https://www.texasreaders.org/uploads/4/4/9/0/44902393/tale_2024_yearbook.pdf
Polk, L. J. (2020). An Implementation of Guided Reading in Elementary Schools (Doctoral dissertation, Sam Houston State University).
Refereed
Polk, L. (2026). A review: The curious fox by Ross McDonagh. [Literacy Bookshelf]. Association for Literacy Educators and Researchers Literacy News, 51(1), 1-13.
Ives, S. T., Parsons, S. A., Parsons, S. W., Robertson, D. A., Daoud, N., Young, C. & Polk, L. (2020). Elementary students’ motivation to read and genre preferences. Reading Psychology, 41(5), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2020.1783143
Young, C., Polk, L., Durham, P., & Kerbs, M. (2020). The boys are back and they’re looking for drama. Texas Journal of Literacy Education, 8(1), 112-125.
Professional Experience
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
National/International
Polk, L. & Morgan, K. (2025, November 6-8) Innovative active learning and instructional coaching motivates and prepares literacy preservice teachers [Conference session]. ALER 2025 Conference, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Polk, L. (2024, November 7-9) Breaking through language barriers with interactive literacy approaches [Conference session]. ALER 2024 Conference, Orlando, Florida.
Polk, L. (2024, March 17-20). Maximizing reading engagement with motivating, relevant, and active learning experiences [Conference session]. COABE 2024 National Conference Adult Education in Harmony, Nashville, Tennessee.
Polk, L. (2023, November 10-11). Motivating readers and maximizing learning with engaging reading approaches [Paper presentation]. 47th Annual Literacy Association of Ireland Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Polk, L. (2023, November 10-11). An implementation of guided reading in elementary schools [Poster presentation]. 47th Annual Literacy Association of Ireland Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Polk, L.(2023, May 10-12). Engaging reading praxis increases reading skills, motivation, and content knowledge. [Conference session]. 39th Annual Florida Literacy Conference, Daytona Beach Shores, FL, United States.
Young, C. Rasinski, T., & Polk, L. (2020, October 15-18). The boys are back and they’re looking for drama. [Conference session]. ILA 2020 Conference, Columbus, OH, United States. (Conference canceled)
Regional/Local
Polk, L. (2024, May 16). Using QR codes in learning quests to access texts, motivate reading, and maximize learning [Conference session]. Region 1 29th Annual Technology Conference, South Padre Island, TX, United States.
Polk, L. (2020, June 15). Making lemonade out of lemons: Innovative educational ideas during crises [Conference session]. Region 5 Integrating Technology VirCON, Beaumont, TX, United States.
State/Local
Polk, L. & Morgan, K. (2026, June 13) Exploring AI tools to cultivate effective instructional practices [Conference session]. Texas Association for Literacy Education’s Summer 2026 Conference, Book Joy & Reading Journeys, Schreiner University, Kerrville, Texas. https://sites.google.com/texasreaders.org/2026summerconference/about-event
Polk, L. (2026, April 2) Designing higher level questions with AI [Conference session]. The Texas A&M University System Ignite Faculty Innovation Town Hall. https://events.zoom.us/ev/AmRvSWTCIVtHvjgQaSe1BhZtql0Pag-JDMvp8A5Ei0TPDxfW_SAc~AniL1BxoD1Sti1IZXoaNyAybRf6yp7I8U5mpMst2_K-inQ8oMlc6FJBrGA
Polk, L. (2025, October 24) Instructional strategies for teaching adult learners with special learning needs [Conference session]. Central Texas Literacy Symposium, Commons, UTA, Arlington, Texas.
Polk, L. (2025, April 17) Students with special learning needs [Conference session]. Central Texas Literacy Symposium, Literacy Matters: Empowering Every Adult, Austin, Texas.
Polk, L. (2024, August 21) Strategies for struggling readers & students with special learning needs [Professional development online session]. Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL), College Station, Texas.
Polk, L. (2024, July 30-31) Incorporating relevant content and skills with interactive literacy approaches [Conference session]. 2024 Literacy Texas Annual Conference, Literacy & Beyond, San Marcos, Texas.
Polk, L. (2024, March 1-2). Engage, connect, and maximize learning through interactive literacy approaches [Breakout session]. 2024 TALE Conference, The Heart of Literacy Connects Us, Baylor University, Waco, Texas. https://www.texasreaders.org/tale-conference.html
HB3 Texas Reading Academies. (August 2020-May 2021). Professional learning for RLA teachers/principals of K-3. In-district.
*Numerous in-district professional learning workshops
Certifications
HB3 Texas Reading Academies English Language Arts Cohort Leader 2019-2021
The Executive Education Academy: A Program offered by
Rice Business Executive Education in Collaboration with Leadership Partners 2020
CITI Human Subjects Research (SBE) Foundations 2018-Present
Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) 2017-Present
Texas ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy 2017
Curriculum Management Audit Training Level 1 2016
Generalist Grades (EC-6) 2015-Present
Reading Specialist Grades (EC-12) 2012-Present
English as a Second Language Supplemental 2012-Present
Secondary Generic Special Education 1990-Present
All-Level Physical Education 1990-Present
Recent Conferences Attended
Texas Association for Literacy Education’s Summer 2026 Conference,
Book Joy & Reading Journeys, Schreiner University, Kerrville, Texas. 2026
The Texas A&M University System Ignite Faculty Innovation Town Hall. 2026
Literacy Texas, Central Texas / DFW Literacy Symposium, UTA, Arlington, Texas 2025
Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER), Oklahoma City, OK 2025
Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER), Orlando, FL 2024
Region 1 29th Annual Technology Conference 2024, South Padre Island, TX 2024
Texas Association of Literacy Education (TALE), Baylor-Waco, TX 2024
COABE National Conference, Nashville, TN 2024
47th Annual Conference Literacy Association of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland 2023
Literacy Texas Annual Conference, Literacy Unleashed 2023