Crystal Chen Lee

About Crystal

Crystal Chen Lee, Ed.D., is an assistant professor of English language arts and literacy in the College of Education at North Carolina State University. Her research lies at the nexus of literacy, teacher education, community engagement and marginalized youth. She is the founding director and PI of the Literacy and Community Initiative (LCI), a collaboration among the College of Education, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and youth-serving community organizations (Juntos NC, Triangle Literacy Council—Bull City YouthBuild, CORRAL Riding Academy,and Refugee Hope Partners). Dr. Lee also has two appointments as a faculty fellow of the Friday Institute of Educational Innovation and an NCSU Community Engaged Fellow. Her work has been featured nationally and internationally, and she has published in books and journal articles such as Reading Research Quarterly, Journal of Literacy Research, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, English Journal, English Teaching: Practice and Critique, Teaching and Teacher Education, and the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education. Dr. Lee began her teaching experience as a high school English teacher in New Jersey and a literacy instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University and Montclair State University. In addition to her teaching, she has also served as an International Leadership Civic Fellow in the United States Congress and an education intern at International Justice Mission, a global non-profit organization partnering with local justice systems to end violence against people living in poverty. She received her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University. Her dissertation, “Critical Literacy as Common Ground: The Possibilities of African Immigrant Girls in New York City Schools and Community-Based Organizations,” received the AERA Research in Women and Education SIG Outstanding Dissertation Award (Selma Greenberg Award), the American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Dissertation Fellowship, Teachers College’s Provost Dissertation Award and Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship.

Resources

• A Leg Up: Educator and Reading and Discussion Guides (Resource Guide)

  Lead Author
  In their first publication, A Leg Up, the student authors at CORRAL Riding Academy explore their stories in their first published book. Use these guides for readers and educators as you read A Leg Up.
• See Unbroken Pieces Through the Shadows: Educator and Reading and Discussion Guides (Resource Guide)

  Lead Author
  See Unbroken Pieces Through the Shadows is the third book written by the students at Bull City YouthBuild with writing instruction provided by LCI educators. The stories in this book represent the strength, determination and intelligence of the YouthBuild students. Use these guides for readers and educators as you read See Unbroken Pieces Through the Shadows.
• The Voices of Our People: Nuestras Verdades: Educator and Reading and Discussion Guides (Resource Guide)

  Lead Author
  This book follows the authors from Juntos NC and their explorations with their relationship to their community but also advocates for the challenges and issues that they and their families face. Use these guides for readers and educators as you read The Voices of Our People: Nuestras Verdades.

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