Marlee Bunch, Ed.D. '22 EPOL, has received the David H. Russell Award for Distinguished Research in the Teaching of English from the National Council of Teachers of English.
The award honors outstanding scholarship or research in language, literature, rhetoric, pedagogy, or learning.
Bunch earned the award for her book The Magnitude of Us: An Educator's Guide to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms.
She told the NCTE, "I hope to impact the world through my research and work by illuminating the transformative power of storytelling, oral history, and collaborative action. Literacy is not only a skill—it is a bridge that connects lived experiences, cultures, and generations. By centering diverse voices and histories in the learning process, I strive to create spaces where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered to reach their highest potential. My goal is to foster communities of readers, writers, and thinkers who understand the strength of their own narratives and use that knowledge to build empathy and inspire meaningful, lasting social change."