Jerry L. Johns

Jerry L. Johns has been recognized as a distinguished teacher, writer, outstanding teacher educator, and popular professional development speaker for schools, school districts, and conferences. He completed his B.A. at Oakland University with special honors. He taught in the public schools in Pontiac, Michigan while working on his M.A. at Michigan State University. Dr. Johns was awarded a fellowship to pursue doctoral studies at Michigan State University, and he served as an instructor teaching various reading courses. Then he served as a reading teacher for the Waterford, Michigan Public Schools. Dr. Johns had a long, distinguished career at Northern Illinois University and maintains a close connection with the Literacy Clinic which now carries his name. He was also a Visiting Professor at Western Washington University and the University of Victoria in British Columbia.

Dr. Johns has been elected to leadership positions at the local, state, national, and international levels. He has been president of the International Literacy Association, the Illinois Reading Council (IRC), the Northern Illinois Reading Council, and the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER). He also served on the Board of Directors for each of these professional organizations. In addition, Dr. Johns has served on numerous committees of the International Literacy Association and other professional organizations. His more than 700 presentations and professional development sessions involved travel throughout a majority of the states and 13 countries.

Dr. Johns has authored or coauthored approximately 300 articles, monographs, and research studies as well as numerous professional books published by Kendall Hunt:

• the twelfth edition of the Basic Reading Inventory

• the sixth edition of Improving Reading: Strategies, Resources, and Common Core Connections

• the second edition of Spanish Reading Inventory: Pre-Primer—Eighth Grade

• the third edition of Teaching Reading Pre-K—Grade 3

• the fourth edition of Fluency: Differentiated Strategies and Progress-Monitoring Assessments

• the second edition of Improving Writing

• the fourth edition of Content Area Learning: Bridges to Disciplinary Literacy

• the second edition of Comprehension and Vocabulary Strategies for the Elementary Grades

• the fourth edition of Reading and Learning Strategies: Middle Grades through High School

• Visualization: Using Mental Images to Strengthen Comprehension

• Essential Comprehension Strategies for the Intermediate Grades

Dr. Johns currently serves on the editorial advisory boards for Reading Psychology and the Illinois Reading Council Journal. He is also the Senior Reading Consultant for three levels of Vocabulary Workshop published by William H. Sadlier.

Dr. Johns has been the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to various professional and civic organizations. The Illinois Reading Council honored him with induction into the Reading Hall of Fame. Other recognitions include the Alpha Delta Literacy Award for Scholarship, Leadership, and Service to Adult Learners and the A.B. Herr Award for outstanding contributions to the field of reading. He also received the Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award presented by the International Reading Association, the Champion for Children Award presented by the HOSTS Corporation, and the Laureate Award from the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers for life-long contributions to the field of reading. In 2011, Altrusa International of DeKalb/Sycamore presented him with a literacy award for his many contributions to reading. In 2015, he was elected as a member of the Reading Hall of Fame in the International Literacy Association. He also was selected to receive the prestigious William S. Gray Citation of Merit for his significant contributions to reading.

Dr. Johns has served as a professional development consultant and speaker to schools, school districts, conferences, and professional organizations. He also travels widely--most recently to France, Dubai, and India. At home, he enjoys reading, walking, and driving his sports car.