Rebecca Vasile, Ph.D.

Education:

Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction in Reading Education, Florida State University, 2026

Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia, University of Florida, 2024

B.S. in Psychology, Florida State University, 2021

Teaching Philosophy:

My teaching philosophy is centered on two guiding principles: (1) imparting theoretical knowledge to students while making explicit connections to real-world implications and (2) building meaningful relationships with students. I believe that students are best prepared for their future careers when they understand not only the theories and research that inform their field, but also how to apply that knowledge in authentic educational contexts. Therefore, I strive to make connections between course content, current research, and the experiences students will encounter as educators and professionals. Building relationships with students is equally core to my teaching philosophy. I believe that when students feel known, supported, and respected by their instructor, they are more likely to engage meaningfully in the learning process. Strong instructor-student relationships can encourage students to attend class, participate in discussions, ask questions, and feel comfortable working through challenging concepts. I aim to create a classroom environment in which students feel that their perspectives and experiences are valued and where they are encouraged to take an active role in their learning. Ultimately, I view teaching as more than the delivery of course content. My goal is to help students develop the knowledge, confidence, and critical thinking skills they need to become thoughtful and effective educators. I strive to create learning experiences that challenge students while providing the support they need to succeed, and I hope to foster in my students the same curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning that guide my own work as an educator and scholar.

Research:

My research focuses on early childhood language and literacy development, with particular attention to the language experiences children encounter in early learning environments. Her work examines how shared book reading, classroom language, and the characteristics of language input may support children’s vocabulary and literacy development. Most recently, she has studied the relationship between the written language of children's books and children's vocabulary growth across the school year. Through this work, she aims to better understand how educators and parents can create rich, intentional language and literacy experiences for young children in order to prevent later reading difficulties.

Outreach:

I am interested in developing partnerships with early childhood centers in the local community. I am passionate about shared book reading and the important role that language and literacy experiences play in young children’s development. I hope to collaborate with local educators and early childhood professionals to support high-quality shared book reading practices, connect research with classroom practice, and create opportunities for students to engage with early childhood educators and learning environments beyond the university classroom.

Biography:

I grew up in South Florida and moved to Tallahassee in 2018 to attend Florida State University, where I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology. During my undergraduate career, I had two pivotal experiences that shaped my professional path. I began working as a research assistant at the Florida Center for Reading Research while also serving as a teaching assistant at the Florida State University Childcare Center. The combination of these experiences sparked my interest in early childhood language development and the prevention of later reading difficulties and ultimately led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading Education. In 2022, I began my Ph.D. at Florida State University as a fellow of the Florida Center for Reading Research, funded by the Office of Special Education Programs. In addition to my doctoral coursework, I earned a graduate certificate in dyslexia from the University of Florida. Throughout my doctoral program, I had the opportunity to work alongside researchers and educators, teach undergraduate students, and further develop my interests in early childhood language and literacy. Outside of work, I love reading a good book, going to the gym, playing pickleball, and hanging out at the beach. I have a wonderful partner with whom we share two orange cats, and I am looking forward to getting to know Mobile and the surrounding areas!