About this episode

Dr. Katie Sciurba discusses the relevance of reading for students, particularly young men of color, and shares insights from her book and teaching experiences.

Dr. Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Katie Sciurba, assistant professor at the University of Georgia and author of Reading and Relevance Reimagined: Celebrating the Literacy Lives of Young Men of Color . Dr. Sciurba shares how her experiences as a fourth and fifth grade teacher in the Bronx led her to question assumptions about what makes reading relevant to students. She introduces her four dimensions of relevance—identity, spatiality, temporality, and ideology—and explains how these factors intersect to shape students' reading experiences. The conversation explores why it's important to engage with texts that challenge your worldview, practical strategies for teachers navigating restrictive curricula, and how educators can foster joy in literacy even during challenging times. Dr. Sciurba also shares the story behind her book's cover art, illustrated by John Jennings and featuring her own son as a "reading superhero." About Dr. Katie Sciurba: Katie Sciurba (Sher-buh), Assistant Professor of Literacies and Children's Literature at the University of Georgia. Katherine (Katie) Sciurba received her PhD in English Education at New York University. She is an experienced elementary school…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Erin Bailey

Guest: Dr. Katie Sciurba

Topics covered

• literacy
• education
• reading relevance
• young men of color
• teaching strategies
• children's literature

Keywords

• reading
• literacy
• education
• young men of color
• teaching
• curriculum
• children's literature

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Georgia

Books & works: Reading and Relevance Reimagined: Celebrating the Literacy Lives of Young Men of Color

More episodes of Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental

• Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments with Matt Eicheldinger · May 5, 2026 · 32 min
• Creating Evidence-Based Reading Material for Families with Dr. Caitlin Khoury · April 21, 2026 · 46 min
• Trusting Readers with Dr. Jennifer Scoggin and Hannah Schneewind · April 14, 2026 · 49 min
• The Evolving Landscape of Reading Assessment with Dr. Elena Forzani · March 31, 2026 · 42 min
• Supporting Young Learners Through Uncertainty with Dr. Lauren Loquasto · March 24, 2026 · 31 min
• Read What Your Kids Are Reading with Nick Bruel · March 17, 2026 · 32 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental podcast page.