Kelly Sassi
Professor of English and Education
Professor Kelly Sassi specializes in teaching Young Adult Literature, Methods of Teaching Writing, Methods of Teaching Literature, and History of Writing Instruction. She is a qualitative researcher and publishes in Indigenous studies, writing assessment, and antiracist education. She directed the Red River Valley Writing Project from 2014-2021.
Phone:
701-231-7156
Email:
Hello! I'm Kelly
I'm an Associate Professor at North Dakota State University in Fargo. I also serve as Director of the Red River Valley Writing Project.
EXPERIENCE
2008-present
Associate Professor
North Dakota State University
I have a joint appointment in English and Teacher Education, which means I help prepare future English teachers. I also teach Young Adult Literature and graduate courses in writing research.
2003-2009
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Michigan
I taught the following courses: College Writing, Writing and Literature, Professional Writing, Directed Teaching in the Secondary School, Seminar: Problems and Principles of Secondary Education, Practicum in Teaching Methods, Teaching of English
1997-2003
High School English Teacher
West Valley High School, Fairbanks, Alaska
Taught AP English Language, British Literature, American Literature, Creative Writing, Composition, Advanced Composition;
Adviser for Literary Magazine and Amnesty International.
EDUCATION
2003-2008
Ph.D.
University of Michigan
I studied with Anne Gere, who directs the Joint Program of English and Education.
1996-1997
Teaching certification
University of Alaska
I earned my teaching certification through the Teachers for Alaska Program, which included a field experience in an Athabaskan Village.
1992-1995
M.A. English Literature
University of Alaska
I had a fellowship, which allowed me to teach First Year Writing and work in the campus writing center.
1984-1989
B.A. English
University of Alaska
I was in the honors program and wrote an undergraduate thesis about my 5,000-mile bike tour of Europe.
Projects
SKILLS
Microsoft ExCel - Advanced
Microsoft Word - Advanced
Power Point - Proficient
Adobe - Proficient
English - Mother Tongue
Spanish - Advanced
EXPERTISE
English Education
I teach methods courses for the School of Education at NDSU: Methods of Teaching Writing and Methods of Teaching Literature. I also teach Young Adult Literature in a Multicultural World. I serve as chair of NCTE's Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity.
Rhetoric and Composition
I teach a graduate course on the History of Writing Instruction as well as Composition Research. I study writing assessment and have published in this area. I'm concerned with social justice in writing assessment.
Indigenous Pedagogy
I read indigenous literatures, study how they are taught in schools, and serve as an ally to indigenous people speaking back to the forces of settler colonization in schools.