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Barbara Swaby, Ph. D. Portrait of Barbara Swaby

Professor
Curriculum and Instruction
College of Education

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-4091

bswaby@uccs.edu


Dr. Barbara Swaby is a Professor of Education and President's Teaching Scholar at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She is the director of the Graduate Reading Program and the Graduate Reading Clinic, and has been a member of the Thesis Committee for over 80 students.

She has taught courses in reading for approximately twenty-seven years. Her contributions and accomplishments span the local, state, national and international levels. Dr. Swaby is the author of several articles, two college textbooks, two teacher workbooks, and a set of whole language readers and children's books. She has helped to develop Functional and Critical Reading and Reading Comprehension Subtests for National Assessment Testing. She serves on numerous committees, including Education Grievance, Search Committees, and Evaluation and Admissions. She is a past board member of United Way, Women's Resource Agency and Urban League, and is a member of the International Reading Association.

In addition to teaching in the College of Education at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Dr. Swaby has taught courses for Mind Extension University, the Education Network - with a viewing audience of over 40 million homes worldwide. Her "Journey into Literacy" series won a Telly Award in 1993 and an Angel Award of Excellence in 1994. The Certificate in Reading class has drawn students from throughout North and South America, and as far away as Japan.

She conducts workshops, advises and consults with school districts throughout Colorado. She has made numerous conference presentations and has been featured for Keynote Addresses, Luncheon Speeches, Symposiums and Workshops.

Dr. Swaby's personal education is indicative of her commitment to the educational process. Both of her parents were educators in her native Jamaica, West Indies; and her early childhood training proceeded along an aggressive path. She was already in college by age 15. She earned a B.A. degree in Music Education from Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee; and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Reading Education from the University of Minnesota. She has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs since 1977.

Awards & Recognition

  • Election to Phi Beta Kappa.
  • Certificates of Appreciation from Pikes Peak Community College.
  • Certificates of Appreciation from Colorado Springs School District 11.
  • Martin Luther King Community Service Award.
  • "Women Who Make a Difference" honor from the Gazette Telegraph.
  • Literacy Award from the International Reading Association.
  • Outstanding Educator of the Year.
  • Outstanding Teaching Award (twice).
  • Outstanding Young Women of America certificate.
  • Recognition as a local "Hometown Hero".
  • Outstanding Citizen of Colorado Springs Award.
  • Bank One Colorado Corporation 1993-1994 Faculty Community Service Award.
  • Inclusion in Who's Who Among America's Teachers
    1996 and 2003.

Dr. Swaby is a scholar who is dedicated to the transferring of knowledge and wisdom to everyone she sees, especially our youth. She gives real meaning to the term "Role Model". She is married and is the mother of one son.

Director of the Graduate Reading Program: Director of the University of Colorado Reading Clinics: Presidential Teaching Scholar: University of Colorado.

Education

Ph.D., Reading
University of Minnesota - 1977

M.A., Reading
University of Minnesota - 1975

B.A., Music Education
Tusculum College - 1968

Teaching

CURR 5212 Workshop: Facilitating Reading in the Preschool and Kindergarten Classroom

CURR 5400 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas

CURR 5401 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School
Comparative analysis of predominant current philosophies / methodologies of reading instruction, current organizational procedures, skill development, and comprehension activities in the elementary school.

CURR 5402 Teaching the Basal
Application of current instructional techniques in reading to basal readers in use. Focus on the instruction of average to below average readers.

CURR 5403 Introduction to Clinical Experiences
Introduction to diagnostic, evaluative, prescriptive and remedial principles. Tutorial approach.

CURR 5404 Facilitating Reading in the Preschool and Kindergarten Classroom
Historical background of reading readiness and strategies for advancing literacy in the preschool and kindergarten classroom. Workshop approach.

CURR 5410 Informal Diagnostic and Remedial Techniques of Reading
Causes of low reading ability and techniques employed in teaching the poor reader, diagnosis, motivation, and skills.

CURR 5411 Psycholinguistics and Reading
An analysis of the reading process from a psycholinguistic orientation. Emphasis on research studies and selected readings dealing with linguistic development and appropriate implications for reading acquisition. Prerequisites: CURR 5401 or CURR 5410.

CURR 5412 The Reading-Writing Connection
Explores the relationships that exist between reading (decoding) and writing (encoding). Both reading and writing are viewed as inseparable parts of the complete language arts complex. Reading to write and writing to read are both important focus areas of this course.

CURR 5430 Reading Clinical Procedures I (Elementary)
Supervised diagnosis of reading problems; evaluation instruments; pertinent research; case study approach. Prerequisites: CURR 5410 or consent of instructor. Meets with CURR 5431.

CURR 5431 Reading Clinic Procedures II (Secondary).
Supervised remediation of reading problems; methods and teaching materials; use of readability measures. Prerequisites: CURR 5410 or consent of instructor. Meets with CURR 5430.

CURR 5440 Workshop: Oral Language Development in Reading

CURR 5442 Workshop: Great Books in Education

Scholarship

Publications

Articles

  • Swaby, B.E. (1984).
    Effective Skill Instruction: Teaching Skills so that Children Learn.
    Clearing House, 57(5), 220-223.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1984).
    Fan Out Your Facts.
    The Reading Teacher, 914-916.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1984).
    Neurolinguistic Applications for the Remediation of Reading Problems.
    Reading Teacher, 37(9), 831-834.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1983).
    Questions Parents Ask about Reading and the Gifted.
    Teaching Exceptional Children, 15(3), 141-143.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1983).
    What is Important in a Reading Lesson.
    In R. Loring and J. Thomas (Eds)
    Motivating Children and Young Adults to Read. (2nd ed).
    The Oryx Press.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1982).
    What is Important in a Reading Lesson.
    The Reading Teacher, 391-397.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1982).
    Instructional Repeated Readings.
    The Reading Teacher, 391-397.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1982).
    Varying the Ways You Teach Reading with Basal Stories.
    Reading Teacher, 35(6), 676-680.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1982).
    The AIME: A Classroom Model for the Instruction of Gifted Readers.
    Indiana Reading Quarterly, 28-31.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1980).
    How Parents Can Foster Comprehension Growth in Children.
    Reading Teacher, 34(3), 280-283.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1980).
    The Elaborated Reading Guide: A Resource for English Teachers.
    The Indiana Reading Quarterly, 19-29.

Books

  • Swaby, B.E. (1997, 2005).
    Journey Into Literacy.
    P.S. Books, Publisher, 1997, 2005
  • Swaby, B.E.(1992).
    Journey Into Literacy.
    Colorado Springs, CO: Mountain Peak Press.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1991).
    Basal Readers: A Practical Workbook for Teachers.
    Skipping Stone Press.
  • Swaby, B.E.E. (1989).
    Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties.
    Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
  • Swaby, B.E.R. (1984).
    Teaching and Learning Reading: A Pragmatic Approach
    Boston: Little, Brown.

Books for Children

  • Swaby, B.E.(2012).
    When Will Daddy Be Home?.
    Authorhouse.
  • Swaby, B.E.(2000).
    Black Pear.
    Currently being sent several publishers.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1993).
    My Grandpa Henry.
    Book and Learning Packet, Current Inc.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1993).
    I Like Colors.
    Book and Learning Packet, Current Inc.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1993).
    Love Is.
    Book and Learning Packet, Current Inc.
  • Swaby, B.E.(1993).
    The Bluebird's New Adventure.
    Colorado Springs, CO: Mountain Peak Press.

Reports

  • "The Administrator's Guide to Reading Program Evaluation"
    Text in Progress. Expansion of the 2001 booklet. (2002)
  • Instructional Booklet:
    "The Principal's Role in the Evaluation of Reading Programs"
    Prepared for School District 8, Colorado Springs, Colorado. (2001)
  • Set of Twelve Video Tapes:
    "Journey into Literacy"
    Winner of the 1993 National Telly Award. (1993)
  • Report to the Colorado Department of Education on the Reading Program:
    School of Education,
    The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. (1989)
  • Video Tape:
    Reading Instruction: The Basic Instructional Sequence for the Teaching of Reading.
    Prepared for School District 11, Colorado Springs, Colorado. (1988)
  • Video Tape:
    Reading Instruction: The Parent's Role.
    Made for the Board of Cooperative Services to be used at Parent Involvement Council meetings throughout the State of Colorado. (1979)
  • Instructional Booklet:
    "Fostering Comprehension in the Junior High School Classroom"
    (Written with Judy Jones)
    Published by School District 11, Colorado Springs, Colorado. (1979)
  • Instructional Booklet:
    "Reading Strategies for High School Teachers"
    (Written with John Horbatz and Judy Jones)
    Published by School District 11, Colorado Springs, Colorado. (1978)

Tests

  • Contributing author of Reading Comprehension subtest of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading and Writing Components. (1982)
  • Co-author of Functional and Critical Reading subtests of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading Test. Held major responsibility for the location and writing of test items for these subtests. (1978)

Other

  • 120 Formal Lessons in Reading
    Wrote the entire Reading Component, Grades 1 through 5 for the Fountain Fort Carson Summer School program
    2002-2003
  • "Let's Teach Our Children To Read"
    2004

Service

University

UCCS

1977 – 79
  • Faculty Discipline Committee
1979
  • Faculty Sponsor: Black Student Alliance
1980
  • Search Committee: Personal Director
  • Search Committee: Affirmative Action Director
  • Search Committee: Affirmative Action Director
  • (Second Search)
  • Faculty Senate Committee on the Status of Women
  • Search Committee: Communication Arts
1981
  • Faculty Senate Committee on the Status of Women
  • Preliminary Evaluation Committee for Pamela Shockley (LAS)
  • Search Committee: Communication Arts
  • Primary Review Committee for the reappointment of Joan Klingel (LAS)
  • Teaching Awards Committee
  • Student Discipline Committee
  • Primary Review Committee for the reappointment of Cynthia Truant (LAS)
1982
  • Preliminary Review Committee for the reappointment of Constance Staley (LAS)
  • Teaching Awards Committee
  • Search Committee: History Department
  • Primary Review Committee for the reappointment of Pamela Shockley (LAS)
1983
  • Appeals to Committee for UCCS Faculty
  • Senate Committee on the Status of Women
  • Search Committee: Philosophy Department (LAS)
  • University Teaching Awards Committee
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee for the Tenure of Joan Klingel (LAS)
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee for the Tenure of Janice Hays (LAS)
  • Graduate School Executive Committee
1984
  • Graduate School Executive Committee
  • Faculty Committee on the Status of Women
  • Primary Review Committee for the Reappointment of Constance Staley (LAS)
1985
  • University Minority Committee
  • Faculty Senate Committee on the Status of Women
  • University Committee on Excellence in Teaching
  • Primary Review Committee for the Reappointment of Linda Dickson (LAS)
1986
  • Faculty Senate Committee on the Status of Women
  • University Committee for the Excellence in Teaching
  • Vice Chancellor’s Review Committee
  • Salary Equity Committee
1988
  • Primary Review Committee for the Reappointment of Linda Dickson
1990
  • Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee
  • UCCS Teaching Committee
1991
  • Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee for the Promotion of Joan Klingel (LAS)
1992
  • Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee
  • University Teaching Committee
1993
  • UCCS Teaching Committee
  • Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee
1997
  • Primary Review Committee for the Tenure of Connie Staley (LAS)
1998
  • Vice Chancellor’s Review Committee
2001
  • Vice Chancellor’s Review Committee
2002
  • Vice Chancellor’s Review Committee
2003
  • Vice Chancellor’s Review Committee
2005
  • Dean’s Review Committee for Kathy LaSalla, College of Nursing

College of Education

1978
  • School of Education Test Organization Committee
  • Dean’s Advisory Council
1979
  • Dean’s Advisory Council
  • Search Committee: Special Education
1980
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee
1981
  • Interviewing Committee: Teacher Education Program
1982
  • Admissions Committee
  • Search Committee: Gifted Education
  • Writer: Self Study Document: Reading Program
1983
  • Search Committee: Dean of the School of Education
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee
  • Search Committee: Gifted Education
  • Master Teacher Program Committee
1984
  • Dean’s Review Committee
  • Grievance Committee
1985
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee
  • Search Committee: Administration
1986
  • Search Committee: Educational Leadership
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee
1988
  • Evaluator: Colorado Teacher Awards
1989
  • Grievance Committee
1990
  • Grievance Committee
  • Faculty Review Committee
1991
  • Dean’s Review Committee
  • Writer: NCATE report for the Graduate Reading Program
1992
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee
  • Grievance Committee
1993
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee
  • Grievance Committee
1998
  • Grievance Committee
1999
  • Primary Review Committee
  • Grievance Committee
2000
  • Faculty Evaluation Committee: Chair Grievance Committee
2001
  • Grievance Committee
2002 – 2006
  • Grievance Committee
2003
  • Search Committee: Special Education
2005
  • College of Education Primary Review Committee
  • College of Education Grievance Committee
  • College of Education Primary Review Committee
  • College of Education Grievance Committee
  • Dean’s Review: COE
2006
  • Search Committee: Teacher Education
2007
  • Dean’s Review Committee
  • Grievance Committee
2008
  • Grievance Committee
  • Search Committee, Reading
  • Dean’s Review Committee: COE
  • Search Committee: Guidance
2009
  • Grievance Committee
  • Dean’s Review Committee
2010
  • Grievance Committee

State

  • Speaker: “Integrating Reading Skills.”
    Roaring Fork Schools, Glenwood Springs, Colorado In-service: ‘Comprehension Development,’ Peyton Colorado
  • Demonstration Lessons: North Elementary School, Brighton, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Reading Instruction,’ South Elementary School, Brighton, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Improving Reading Skills’ Leadville, Colorado
  • Four day teacher training session: South Elementary School, Brighton, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘The Basic Instructional Sequence for the Teaching of Reading,’ Southeast Elementary School, Brighton, Colorado
  • Mini – Course: ‘Improving Reading Instruction’ Woodland Park Schools, Woodland Park, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Effective Reading Instruction’ School District #60, Pueblo, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Text Evaluation,’ Lewis Palmer Elementary School,
    Monument, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Effective Reading Methods,’ Fort Collis Elementary School, Fort Collins Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘The Basic Instructional Sequence’ School District # 60, Pueblo, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Reading Workshop,’ School District # 70, Pueblo, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Learning to Read: More Than Sandpaper Letters,’ The Montessori School, Boulder, Colorado
  • Six hour Workshop: ‘Effective Reading Instruction,’ Widefield Schools Widefield, Colorado
  • Presentation: “Meeting the Needs of the Slow Learner,” Pueblo Schools, Pueblo, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Effective Reading Instruction in the Chapter 1 Classroom,’ Englewood, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Improving Comprehension Instruction,’ Canon City IRA, Canon City Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Linking Writing with Reading,’ Harrison Elementary School, Canon City, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Improving Instruction in Comprehension,’ McKinley Elementary School, Canon City, Colorado
  • Workshop: ‘Higher Level Comprehension Skill Instruction,’
    Chapter 1 Staff, Pueblo, Colorado
  • Workshop: ‘Critical Thinking,’ Littleton Schools, Littleton, Colorado
  • Workshop: ‘Classroom Applications of NLP Strategies,’ Summer Institute, Boulder, Colorado
  • Workshop: ‘Excellence in Instruction: Focus on Diagnostic Instruction,’ Chapter 1 Teachers, Pueblo, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Critical Thinking,’ Chapter1 Teachers, Aurora, Colorado
  • Presentation: (Two Days) ‘The Reading Writing Connection,’ Jefferson County Public Schools, Golden Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Whole Language: What Is It?’ Parker Elementary School, Parker, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Developing Reading and Writing in the Elementary School,’ Jefferson County Public Schools, Denver, Colorado
  • Presentation: ‘Curriculum Adaptations for At-Risk Students,’ Chapter 1 Teachers, Denver, Colorado
  • Workshop: ‘Appropriate Instruction for At – Risk Children,” Deane Elementary School, Denver, Colorado
  • All Day Workshop: ‘Appropriate Literacy Instruction’ Pueblo School for the Arts and Sciences, Pueblo, Colorado
  • All Day Workshop: ‘Literacy Instruction’ Ellicot Schools Gateway Elementary School: Woodland Park
  • All Day Workshop: ‘Literacy Instruction’ Pueblo School for the Arts and Sciences