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Rita M. Bean, PhD, is Professor Emerita in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, she taught at the elementary school level and also served as a reading supervisor for grades K-12. Dr. Bean has developed elementary and middle school reading curriculum materials and has published in many different journals and monographs on the topics of reading curriculum; assessment and instruction in reading; professional development; and the role of reading specialists and literacy coaches (K-12). Dr. Bean developed and directed a program at the University of Pittsburgh that places certified teachers in classrooms for a year to serve as reading specialist interns while they take the coursework required for the reading specialist certificate. She served as Director of the Reading Center at the University for 25 years. During the past 5 years, she conducted research on the role of literacy coaches in schools and their role in improving literacy instruction. Dr. Bean is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame and served as a member of the Board of the International Reading Association (IRA) from 2003 to 2006. She was Chair of the IRA’s Commission on the Role of the Reading Specialist, which resulted in a position statement approved by the Board; she also served as Chair of the IRA Standards 2010 Committee for Specialized Reading Professionals. Dr. Bean received the University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award and the University’s Distinguished Service Award for her community and outreach efforts in improving literacy.