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Doctoral Student Caitlin Donovan Receives Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award

NC State College of Education Doctoral Student Caitlin Donovan with students.

Caitlin Donovan, a doctoral student in the NC State College of Education’s Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences literacy and English language arts education concentration, has been selected to receive the 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award.

The Love of Learning Awards are designed to help fund post-baccalaureate professional development for active Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, travel related to teaching, and research, career development and more. Donovan is one of 200 students nationwide to receive the $1,000 award.

“Receiving the Love of Learning award is a great honor,” Donovan said. “I am thrilled to have my work and the writing of my teacher-participants recognized.”

Donovan’s dissertation work is a qualitative inquiry that centers the critical literacy practices and experiences of first-year English teachers in North Carolina using a teacher-as-writer framework for re-storying. She will use the award funding to help provide compensation for teachers who participate in her research. 

“Beginning teachers are great educators with innovative ideas, relentless enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make education more equitable,” she said. “I’m excited to honor and elevate the voices of my participants as they share their reflections on their critical practices.” 
Donovan is the second College of Education student to receive a Love of Learning Award from Phi Kappa Phi. Jennifer Mann, who is also a student in the Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences  literacy and English language arts education concentration, received the award in 2022.