Reading & Teacher Prep. Professor and Student Equity Coordinator
Long Beach City College
Who am I: My name is Candace Morales Dickerson, Professor of Academic Reading in the Reading & Teacher Preparation Department. I have taught academic reading at Long Beach City College for 18 years. I was born in Tucson, Arizona and raised in Fullerton, California. I moved to Long Beach when I got hired and now raise my two children here with my husband. I identify as Chicana, a term used by the Chicano Movement in 1960s by Mexican Americans to express political stance founded on pride in shared cultural, ethnic, and community identity. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
What is my educational background: I started out at CSU Hayward (now Cal State East Bay), then transferred to CSU Fullerton where I earned a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Reading Education. I am a recipient of the Edwin Carr Fellows Award. The award is named in honor of the late Edwin Carr, emeritus professor of education and economics, who exemplified exceptional service to his departments and to the institution. I mention this award as a reminder that we may not realize our full potential until we have a mentor that recognizes something within us.
Why I teach college reading: After earning my Bachelor’s I wanted to enter a Master’s program but my grades narrowed my options; I also wasn’t sure what I wanted to do since I had changed my mind about being a high school English teacher. Looking into different programs in the education department at CSUF, I came upon the M.S in Reading Education. I fell in love with the mission (just, equitable, and inclusive approaches in literacy education) and the idea of teaching academic reading and critical thinking skills at the community college. I was given probationary status and after earning straight As in my first semester for the first time in my academic career, I finally realized my calling. Now more than ever critical thinking skills are necessary to achieve progress at home, in our communities, and nationwide. I teach critical reading and thinking strategies that will assist us in solving problems in and outside of the classroom.
Hobbies: playing and spending time with my kids, husband and dog; reading, practicing Bikram Yoga, hiking; watching movies; attending live shows, concerts and festivals
Friday, February 16, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST